AU2003204848B2 - Biological wool harvesting - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: BIOLOGICAL WOOL HARVESTING Applicant: BIOLOGICAL WOOL HARVESTING CO. PTY. LTD. The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 BIOLOGICAL WOOL HARVESTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates generally to biological wool harvesting and, in particular, to an apparatus for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, as part of the harvesting procedure, as well as a method for fitting the net using an apparatus. The invention is applicable to the biological harvesting of wool from lambs including harvesting of birth coats, and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention 10 in relation to that exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application. Description of the Prior Art A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior 5 art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. A lamb's birth or first coat can vary from curly to straight fibres, depending on the proportion of primary to secondary fibre follicles. Secondary follicles bud off, !0 forming other follicles, and the follicles produced usually share a skin surface opening. The earlier the birth coat is removed, the earlier a second coat can begin to grow, producing a denser, higher quality fleece. One procedure for biologically removing the birth coat has been disclosed in Australian patent application 87929/98. That procedure involves the administration of 25 a biological defleecing agent to the lamb, and application of a retention net in the form of elasticised medical tube to the lamb's body to support the fleece during a period that the fleece fibres are weakened and separated from the lamb by action of the biological agent. The medical tube is composed of netting material and has holes allowing the legs of the lamb to pass through. 30 Fitting of the tube in this procedure involves rolling it down the body of the lamb from head to tail. Removal is achieved by rolling the tube back over and off the body with the fleece being entrapped in the tube. CapofwrdSPEC-697047.doc 3 This fitting of the tube can be time consuming and sometimes difficult. In particular, care needs to be taken to stretch the tube onto the body of an active lamb so that it is correctly positioned without injuring the lamb. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It would be desirable to provide a simple apparatus to facilitate fitting of a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal such as a lamb. It would also be desirable to provide an improved method of fitting the fleece retention net. 10 The present invention provides in one aspect a fleece retention net fitting apparatus for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, the net having a tubular body section and being composed of resiliently extendable material, the apparatus including: a cradle having a recess for supporting the animal in a supine position and a pair of spaced apart side walls that partially surround the animal when 15 supported therein, the side walls tapering toward one end of the cradle to facilitate placing an open end of the retention net about that one end and elastically expanding the net over the cradle; and mounting means for stably securing the apparatus, the cradle and mounting means being arranged so that a net can be positioned on the cradle with the body section extending along and about the supported animal in a 20 resiliently expanded condition, whereupon the animal and retention net can be removed from the cradle so that the body section resiliently contracts into engagement with the body of the animal. Preferably the cradle is elongate and has opposite ends. Preferably the mounting means is located toward one end of the cradle. In at 25 least one preferred embodiment, the net is positioned on the cradle from one end thereof, and the mounting means is located toward the other end of the cradle. Preferably, the mounting means includes a mounting device for removably securing the apparatus to a support structure. Preferably, the mounting device secures the apparatus to a support structure for pivotal movement about an upright 30 axis. Preferably, the mounting means includes a mounting bracket extending from the cradle. The bracket preferably depends from an outer surface of the cradle. In at least one preferred embodiment, the cradle has opposite longitudinal sides, and the mounting bracket includes two legs depending one each from respective longitudinal C Npof\wrd\SPEC-697047.doC 4 sides of the cradle. A base extends between the legs remote from the cradle, and is connectable to a support structure for securing of the apparatus, in this embodiment. In one preferred embodiment, the cradle has a longitudinal bottom, and the mounting bracket includes a further leg depending from the bottom in spaced relation 5 to the two legs and extending to the base. Preferably, the bracket legs depend from the cradle sides adjacent one end of the cradle. Preferably, the mounting means includes one or more fixings for securing the apparatus to a support structure. In one preferred embodiment, the fixings include at 0 least one mounting clamp for clamping the bracket to the support structure. In another preferred embodiment, the fixings include at least one fixing post on the support structure and a socket in the bracket for slidably receiving the post therein for connecting the bracket to the support structure. Preferably, the cradle has opposite open ends and the recess extends 5 between the open ends. Preferably, the cradle has a longitudinal bottom that, in apparatus use, extends at an angle of about 10 degrees to a horizontal plane from one end to an opposite end of the cradle. In at least one preferred embodiment, the cradle is generally U-shaped in !0 transverse cross-section. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, the net having a tubular body section and being composed of resiliently extendable material, the method including: supporting the animal in a supine position at a fitting station which includes a cradle having a 25 recess, the cradle having a pair of spaced apart side walls that partially surround the animal when supported therein, the side walls tapering toward one end of the cradle to facilitate placing an open end of the retention net about that one end and elastically expanding the net over the cradle; positioning a retention net about the fitting station so that the body section extends along and about the animal in a resiliently expanded 30 condition; putting the legs of the animal through respective holes in the body section; and removing the animal and net from the fitting station so that the body section resiliently contracts into engagement with the body of the animal. C pofword\SPEC-697047.doc 5 Preferably, supporting the animal at the fitting station includes placing the animal in the above outlined cradle with its head and tail orientated toward respective opposite ends of the cradle. Preferably, positioning the retention net includes orientating the tubular 5 body section so that an open end thereof aligns with the supine animal, expanding the body section, and with the open end leading, passing the expanded body section along and about the animal. Orientating the retention net preferably includes aligning the open end of the body section with the head of the animal, and passing the expanded body section along and about the 10 animal includes passing the body section from the head toward the tail of the animal. The tubular body section is preferably open at both ends, and is passed along and about the animal until located over and about the body of the animal. Preferably, orientating the retention net includes placing the leg holes in 15 the body section generally in line with the legs of the supine animal. Preferably the body section is expanded progressively from the open end thereof along its tubular length, as the body section is passed along and about the animal. Preferably, positioning the retention net includes positioning the body 20 section about the cradle in which the animal is supported so as to extend along and about the cradle and supported animal. The body section is preferably caused to expand by the cradle as the body section is progressively passed along the cradle, and is maintained in an expanded condition by the cradle until removed from the fitting station with the animal. 25 Preferably, the retention net is positioned about the fitting station and supported animal by pulling the body section over the station and animal. The orientated body section is preferably gripped adjacent the open end thereof and pulled toward and over the fitting station so as to progressively position the body section thereabout. In at least one preferred embodiment, the body 30 section is manually gripped and pulled into position over the fitting station. Preferably, the animal legs are manually pushed and/or pulled through the leg holes in the body section. Preferably, removing the animal and net includes gripping the animal and/or net, and simultaneously withdrawing them from the fitting station. WteSPEC\Blalogcal Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 6 Removing the animal and net preferably includes withdrawing the animal and net from the fitting station in a direction reverse to the direction in which the net is positioned about the animal. In at least one preferred embodiment, the animal and net are manually withdrawn from the fitting station. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description refers to preferred embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying 10 drawings where the apparatus is illustrated in those preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the preferred embodiments as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, where the same reference numerals identify the same or like components: 15 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of the the present invention for use in fitting a fleece retention net to a lamb; Fig. 2 is a perspective of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in use mounted on a fence structure and supporting a lamb in a supine position for fitting with a 20 fleece retention net; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but shows commencement of positioning of the net about the lamb; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but shows the net in position about the lamb; 25 Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows the legs of the lamb having been put through leg holes of the fleece retention net; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but shows the lamb and net being withdrawn from the apparatus with the net being retained on the lamb; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lamb and fleece retention net fitted 30 thereto; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. W:\kate\SPEC\8Iological Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is generally shown a fleece retention apparatus 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. That 5 apparatus 1 is used to fit a fleece retention net 2 to a fleece bearing animal L as shown in detail in Figs. 3 to 6. In this embodiment, the animal L is a lamb or sheep up to about 24 months old, although it will be appreciated that the cradle 2 may support and be used with other fleece bearing animals. The apparatus 1 includes an elongate, rigid cradle 3 defining an elongate 10 recess 4 for supporting a lamb L therealong in a supine position. The cradle 3 has opposite open ends 5, 6, and a supported lamb L extends along the recess 4 with its head H and tail T located toward respective ends 5, 6. The cradle 3 has a bottom wall 7 forming a bottom of the cradle 3, and opposite upstanding side walls 8 forming sides of the cradle 3. The side walls 8 15 also provide upper longitudinal edges 9 defining an open top 10 extending between the open ends 5, 6 of the cradle 3. The walls 7, 8 have an inner surface 11 facing the recess 4 and on which the lamb L is supported, and an opposite outer surface 12. The cradle 3 is of generally semi-cylindrical or U shape in cross-section. 20 Thus, the cradle walls 7, 8 are curvilinear shaped. The inner surface 11 of the cradle 3 is smooth to protect the supported lamb L against injury and also facilitate withdrawal of the lamb L therefrom. The outer surface 12 of the cradle 3 is also smooth to assist in positioning of the net 2 about the cradle 3, and subsequent withdrawal therefrom. As will 25 be-explained in more detail hereinafter, the net 2 is able to readily slide over the outer surface 12 of the cradle 3 during positioning and withdrawal of the net 2. The cradle 3 is shaped to facilitate net 2 positioning about the cradle 3. That shaping is near the end 5 of the cradle 3 from which the net 2 is led onto the cradle 2. In particular, the side walls 8 of the cradle 3 are, adjacent leading 30 or head end 5, angled downwardly toward the bottom wall 7 of the cradle 3. The upper edges 9 are smoothly curved toward head end 5 so that the net -2 slides easily along the edges 9 onto the cradle. W:\kate\SPECl\Bloiogical Defleecing Cradio 1206.doc 8 The cradle 3 is composed of any suitable material. In this embodiment, the cradle 3 is formed in one piece from metal plate, such as by cutting and bending into shape. Although not shown, the apparatus I may include restraining means for 5 restraining the back legs of the lamb L during net fitting. That restraining means acts to hold the back legs against or near the body of the lamb L supported in the cradle 3. In one preferred embodiment, the restraining means includes a pair of restraining members, each acting to restrain a respective back leg against 10 kicking movement. The restraining members extend from the cradle 3 into the recess 4, and are configured so that a respective back leg can be manipulated into a position between the member and lamb body to restrain the leg against kicking movement out of recess 4. The restraining members may be restraining hooks projecting from respective opposite side walls 8 of the cradle 3 into the 15 recess 4, and hook about the legs to restrain them against kicking movement. In use of the apparatus 1, the cradle 3 should be stably located to ensure secure support for the lamb L during fitting of the net 2. Moreover, the cradle 3 should be in a position where it is convenient for use by a person fitting the net 2. To that end, the apparatus 1 could be secured at a fixed location, such as in 20 a shearing shed, where lambs L can be readily supplied for fitting with nets 2. Alternatively, the apparatus 1 could be portable or at least mounted for movement to different locations such as lamb holding paddocks or other enclosures. The cradle 3 may be secured so that the bottom wall 7 extends generally 25 horizontally. Alternatively, however, the cradle 3 may be secured so that it is raised at the head end 5 relative to the tail end 6, and thereby make the lamb L more comfortable when supported in the cradle 3. To that end, the bottom wall 7 can be angled from the head end 5 to the tail end 6 at a shallow angle of up to about 100 to a horizontal plane. 30 In this preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 is portable and includes means 13 for stably securing the cradle 3 during use of the apparatus 1. That mounting means 13 enables securing of the cradle 3 to any convenient support structure. W:\kate\SPEC~liological Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 9 The mounting means 13 includes a mounting device 14 for removably securing the cradle 3 to a support structure S. As shown in Fig. 2, that device 14 is arranged to mount the cradle 3 on a fence structure F defining an enclosure in which are held the lambs L intended to be fitted with nets 2. The 5 fence structure F may also be portable for movement between flocks of lambs L. The cradle 3 is mounted on the structure F in an orientation relative to the structure F that facilitates positioning and withdrawal of the lamb L and positioning of the net 2 during use of the apparatus 1. The mounting device 14 includes a mounting bracket 15 extending from 10 the cradle 3 for bearing on the underlying support structure S, and appropriately positioning and supporting the cradle 3 in a use orientation. As shown, the bracket 15 depends from the outer surface 12 of the cradle 3. The bracket 15 depends from the cradle 3 remote from the head end 5 that the net 2 is pulled on to the cradle 3, so as to avoid impeding positioning of the net 2. As shown, 15 the bracket 15 depends from near the tail end 6 of the cradle 3. The bracket 15 includes two bracket legs 16 depending one from each side wall 8 of the cradle 3 to ends 17 spaced beneath the cradle 3. The legs 16 may extend parallel to one another or taper inwardly toward one another from the cradle 3 to the ends 17. A base 18 extends between the ends 17 for the 20 legs 16 and provides a bearing surface 19 through which the bracket 15 can bear on the support structure S. The bracket 15 can also include at least one further leg 20 depending from the bottom wall 7 of the cradle 3, in spaced relation to the legs 16. The single further leg 20 shown, depends centrally from the bottom wall 7 and between the 25 legs 16. The further leg 20 has an end 21 connected to the base 18, and improves rigidity of the connection between the cradle 3 and mounting means 13, as well as stability of the cradle on the support structure S. The bracket 15 mounts the cradle 3 in an orientation offset from the underlying support structure S so that, in particular, the lamb L can be removed 30 from the cradle 3 without coming into contact with the structure S. In the case of a supporting fence structure F, the cradle 3 may be angled relative to the longitudinal extent of the structure F. Thus, the elongate cradle 3 has a longitudinal axis X which is angled relative to the longitudinal plane of the fence structure F. That angle may be about 200. W:\kate\SPEC\Blological DefleecIng Cradle 1200.doc 10 The mounting bracket is manufactured from metal stock material such as steel bar and tube. The mounting bracket 15 may be sufficient to stably secure the cradle 3 in position on a support structure S having a flat horizontal support surface. 5 However, where the structure S is provided by rails of the fence F, the mounting device 14 can also include one or more fixings 22, for releasably securing the bracket 15 to one or more fence structure rails. As shown, a pair of fixings 22 are provided to locate the bracket 15 in position. Those fixings 22 include posts 23 fixed to the fence structure F in spaced apart relation, and slidably 10 receivable in sockets 24 (only one of which is shown) provided in the bracket 15. In alternative embodiments (not shown), other fixings 22 may be provided, including clamps for removably clamping the bracket 15 to the support structure S. 15 As previously indicated, the apparatus 1 is used to fit a fleece retention net 2 to lamb L. The net 2 includes a tubular body section 25 and formed of resiliently extendible material for fitting to the body B of a lamb L. The body section 25 has opposite open ends 26, 27 and holes 28 for receiving the legs of the lamb L. Although not shown, the net 2 may also include tubular leg sections 20 surrounding and extending from the holes 28, and through which the legs of the lamb L are received. With the apparatus 1 stably secured at a net fitting station, the lamb L is placed in the cradle 3 in a supine position, with its head H and tail T orientated toward respective opposite ends 5, 6 as shown in Fig. 2. At least initially in that 25 - position, the lamb legs can extend generally backwardly and either upwardly or, in the case of the front legs, rest on the body B of the lamb L. At least the back legs may be restrained against kicking movement by restraining hooks during net fitting. The lamb L is at least substantially contained within the cradle recess 4. 30 Thus, the lamb head H and body B are fully supported within the cradle 3, although its legs may extend from the recess 4. With the lamb L supported in this position it may be convenient to administer the biological defleecing agent. That administration may be by W:\kte\SPECfllological Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 11 injection delivered subcutaneously in the inguinal region where no fleece is present to obscure the vision of the operator. The net 2 is orientated relative to the cradle 3 so that the open end 26 of the body section 25 aligns with the supine lamb L. The body section 25 is then 5 expanded and, with the open end 25 leading, passed along and about the lamb L and cradle 3. The body section 25 is expanded progressively from the open end 26 along its tubular length, as the net 2 is passed along and about the lamb L. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the body section 25 is caused to expand by the 10 cradle 3 as it is progressively passed along that cradle 3. Moreover, the body section 25 is maintained in that expanded condition by action of the cradle 3 until withdrawn with the lamb L from the cradle 3. Orientating the net 2 includes aligning the open end 26 with the head 4 of the supported lamb L. Thus, the net 2 is passed about and along the lamb L 15 from its head H toward its tail T. That movement of the net 2 continues until the body section 25 is located generally over and about the lamb body B. Orientating the net 2 also includes placing the leg holes 28 (and any leg sections) of the net 2 generally in line with the legs of the supine lamb L. The net 2 is then passed along the body B until the holes 28 are adjacent and 20 generally aligned with the legs. As necessary, the expanded body section 25 can be manipulated by small adjustment along and about the cradle 3 to improve alignment of the individual leg holes 28. Although not shown, the body section 25 may also include a pizzle hole for surrounding the pizzle of the lamb L. Orientating the net 2 further includes 25 placing the pizzle hole generally in line with the lamb pizzle. Again, the expanded body section 25 can be manipulated to achieve alignment of the pizzle hole with the pizzle. As shown, the retention net 2 is positioned about the cradle 3 and supported lamb L by pulling the net 2 over the cradle 3. Thus, the body section 30 25 is gripped adjacent the open end 26, and pulled toward and over the cradle 3 so as to progressively position the net 2 thereabout. In this embodiment, the body section 25 is manually gripped and pulled into position, although it will be appreciated that, in an alternative form, net positioning could be mechanised. W:kateSPEC\Bological Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 12 The lamb legs are then put through the leg holes 28 as shown in Fig. 5. That can be achieved by any suitable combination of pushing and pulling to the legs through those holes 28. With the net 2 in the expanded condition, the leg holes 28 will also be expanded thereby facilitating placement of the lamb legs 5 therethrough. In this embodiment, the legs are put through the holes 28 manually. Thus, the hand of a person fitting the net 2 can be placed through a leg hole 28 to grab an adjacent lamb leg and the hand then withdrawn through the hole 28 pulling the leg up through the hole 28. It will be appreciated that putting the legs 10 through the holes 28 could be mechanised. The lamb L and net 2 are then withdrawn from the cradle 3. As shown in Fig. 6, withdrawal includes gripping the lamb L and/or the net 2, and simultaneously withdrawing them from the cradle 3. In this way, the net 2 retains its position relative to the body B of the lamb L during withdrawal, and 15 the body section 25 resiliently contracts into engagement with the lamb L body B. Withdrawal of the lamb L and net 2 from the cradle 3 is in a direction reverse to the direction in which the net 2 is positioned about the lamb L. However, in an alternative embodiment the direction of withdrawal may be the 20 same, i.e. the lamb L and net 2 may be withdrawn from the cradle 3 in the same direction that the net 2 is previously positioned about the cradle 3. In this embodiment, the lamb L and net 2 are withdrawn from the cradle 3 manually. Thus, for example, a person fitting the net 2 can grip the front legs of the lamb L and pull them in a direction toward the lamb head (i.e. reverse to the 25 direction in which the net 2 was positioned about the lamb L). Because the legs extend through holes 28 in the net 2, pulling of the lamb L out of the cradle 3 also pulls the net 2 with the lamb L. As the lamb L progressively leaves the cradle 3, so too does the net 2, causing the body section 25 to contract about the lamb body B. 30 It will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, withdrawal from the cradle 3 could be mechanised, with the lamb L and/or net 2 being gripped and pulled by machinery. Once the lamb L and net 2 have been withdrawn from the, the lamb L can be turned upright and allowed to stand as shown in Fig. 7. Final adjustments W:\kateSPECaBilogical Defleecing Cradle 1206.doc 13 can then be made to the net 2 to ensure that it is a neat and correct fit on the lamb L. Thus, for example, any twisting or distortion of the body section 25 along its length can be removed, and the body section 25 checked to see that it fits comfortably about the neck, legs, pizzle and tail of the lamb L. 5 The lamb L can then be released. Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 1. That apparatus 1 is similar to the previously described embodiment except that the mounting means 13 enables the apparatus 1 to be used in conjunction with sheep handling machinery M configured for various 10 sheep husbandry practices. As shown, that machinery M includes a base frame A on which two apparatus 1 can be mounted, one on each side of the machinery M, for receiving lambs L led along a range R defined by the machinery M. Each apparatus 1 has a mounting bracket 15 with legs 16 and 20, and a 15 base 18 extending therebetween. Fixing 22 fixes the bracket 15 to the base frame A so as to stably mount the apparatus 1. The fixing 22 includes a post 23 upstanding from the base frame A and slidably receivable in a socket 24 in the bracket 15. This mounting enables the apparatus 1 to pivot about the upright axis Y of the post 23 so as to orientate the apparatus 1 with the head end 5 20 directed toward the person fitting the net 2. That orientation will facilitate fitting of the net 2, and removal of the lamb L and net 2 from the cradle 3. The present invention provides a simple apparatus and method for fitting fleece retaining nets to fleece bearing animals such as lambs. In particular, the apparatus enables effective and efficient performance of the method, whilst the 25 method is easy and quick. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the apparatus and method without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. WAkate\SPEC\Bological Defleecing Cradle 1208.doc

Claims (22)

1. A fleece retention net fitting apparatus for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, the net having a tubular body section and being composed of 5 resiliently extendable material, the apparatus including: a cradle having a recess for supporting the animal in a supine position and a pair of spaced apart side walls that partially surround the animal when supported therein, the side walls tapering toward one end of the cradle to facilitate placing an open end of the retention net about that one end and elastically expanding the net 10 over the cradle; and mounting means for stably securing the apparatus, the cradle and mounting means being arranged so that a net can be positioned on the cradle with the body section along and about the supported animal in a resiliently expanded condition, whereupon the animal and retention net can be 15 removed from the cradle so that the body section resiliently contracts into engagement with the body of the animal.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle is elongate and has opposite ends, and the mounting means is located toward one end of the cradle. ?0

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cradle is configured to have a net positioned on one end thereof, and the mounting means is located toward the other end of the cradle. 25

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means includes a mounting device for removably securing the apparatus to be a support structure and for pivotal movement about an upright axis.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means 30 includes a mounting bracket extending from the cradle, preferably depending from an outer surface of the cradle.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cradle has opposite longitudinal sides, and the mounting bracket includes two legs depending one each C wof\.ard\SPEC-697047 doc 15 from respective longitudinal sides of the cradle, and a base extending between the legs remote from the cradle, the base being connectable to a support structure for securing of the apparatus. 5

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means includes one or more fixings for securing the apparatus to a support structure.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 when appended to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the fixings include at least one of: 10 at least one fixing post on the support structure and a socket in the bracket for slidably receiving the post therein for connecting the bracket to the support structure; or at least one mounting clamp for clamping the bracket to the support structure. 15

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cradle has opposite open ends and the recess extends between the open ends.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cradle has a longitudinal bottom that, in apparatus use, extends at an angle of about 10 degrees to ?0 a horizontal plane from one end to an opposite end of the cradle.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cradle is generally U-shaped in transverse cross-section. 25

12. A method for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, the net having a tubular body section and being composed of resiliently extendable material, the method including: supporting the animal in a supine position at a fitting station which includes a cradle having a recess, the cradle having a pair of spaced apart side walls that 30 partially surround the animal when supported therein, the side walls tapering toward one end of the cradle to facilitate placing an open end of the retention net about that one end and elastically expanding the net over the cradle; positioning a retention net about the fitting station so that the body section extends along and about the animal in a resiliently expanded condition; C:\pofword\SPEC-697047.doc 16 putting the legs of the animal through respective holes in the body section; and removing the animal and net form the fitting station so that the body section resiliently contracts into engagement with the body of the animal. 5

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein supporting the animal at the fitting station includes placing the animal with its head and tail orientated toward respective opposite ends of the cradle.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein positioning the 10 retention net includes at least one of: orientating the tubular body section so that an open end thereof aligns with the supine animal, expanding the body section, and with the open end leading, passing the expanded body section along and about the animal; or positioning the body section about the cradle in which the animal is supported 15 so as to extend along and about the cradle and supported animal the body section being caused to expand by the cradle as the body section is progressively passed along the cradle, and is maintained in an expanded condition by the cradle until removed from the fitting station with the animal. 20

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein orientating the retention net includes aligning the open end of the body section with the head of the animal, and passing the expanded body section along and about the animal includes passing the body section from the head toward the tail of the animal and, optionally, placing the leg holes in the body section generally in line with the legs of the supine animal. 25

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tubular body section is open at both ends, and is passed along and about the animal until located over and about the body of the animal. 30

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the body section is expanded progressively from the open end thereof along its tubular length, as the body section is passed along and about the animal. C:\pof\word\SPEC-697047.doc 17

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the retention net is positioned about the fitting station and supported animal by pulling the body section over the station and animal. 5

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 when appended to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the orientated body section is gripped adjacent the open end thereof and pulled toward and over the fitting station so as to progressively position the body section thereabout, the body section being manually gripped and pulled into position over the fitting station and the animal's legs are manually pushed and/or pulled 10 through the leg holes in the body section.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 when appended to claim 15, wherein removing the animal and net includes withdrawing the animal and net from the fitting station in a direction reverse to the direction in which the net is 15 positioned about the animal.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20, when using an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11. 20

22. At least one of a fleece retention net fitting apparatus or a method for fitting a fleece retention net to a fleece bearing animal, substantially as herein before described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 25 C:\fw rdSPEC-697047.doC