AU2003236469B2 - Sheep Restraint Device - Google Patents

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION 5 "Sheep Restraint Device" 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sheep restraint device. Apparatus for use on-farm to temporarily restrain a sheep 15 are known. The sheep may need to be restrained in order to enable the farmer or a vet to carry out a variety of procedures on the sheep. The nature and construction of known restraints may 20 restrict the location in which the restraints can operate. For example, the restraint may need to be located near a power source so as to operate equipment ancillary to or forming part of the restraint device e.g. power driven equipment such as a compressor for operating 25 air rams. This need to be near a power source can be overcome by portable motors, generators etc, but all of this adds to the amount of equipment which needs to be transported about the farm, not to mention capital costs of such ancillary equipment. 30 2 Known sheep restraints can also be slow to operate. As a result, such apparatus is not normally used when say administering drench or pour-ons. In such situations the sheep are normally confined relatively tightly within a 5 race and/or yard and the farmer moves amongst the sheep administering the drench/pour-on. This can, however, result in physical discomfort and indeed injury to the farmer, as well as the possibility of one or more sheep being missed. It can also result in the sheep becoming 10 stressed, not to mention being confined for a long period of time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a portable sheep restraint device which is not dependant on availability of a power source or ancillary equipment to operate and is able to be operated quickly so that, when required, a high throughput of animals in a 20 given time can be achieved, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a sheep restraint device including an elongate platform, a wall situated to each long side of the elongate platform, 25 a moving mechanism to, in use, cause relative movement between the walls transverse to the length of the SpWc4 2618/03 3 platform, the moving mechanisms including a pressure pad located to one side of the platform and a linkage via which pressure applied to the pressure pad caused said relative movement to occur, the linkage being adjustable whereby the restraint device can be adjusted to 5 accommodate different sized animals. In the preferred form of the invention, one of the said walls is fixed in position and the other wall is moveable toward and away from the fixed wall, Preferably, the fixed wall is adjustable in position whereby it can be 10 set at an angle to the length of the platform. Preferably, the moveable wall is provided with padding. According to a preferred from of the invention biasing 15 means are provided to cause the moveable wall to normally move to a rest position away from the fixed wall. The biasing means can be formed by one or more springs. Preferably, the restraint device also includes locking 20 means whereby the moveable wall can be temporarily locked in an animal restraining position. In a preferred form, the locking means acts on the pressure pad or linkage to hold the pressure pad in position after a pressure has been applied thereto. 25 spec 44 l 26/8/03 4 According to a preferred form of the invention the linkage includes a lever which is coupled to a pivot means, whereby the lever is moveable about a pivot axis established by the pivot means. 5 Preferably, the position of the pivot axis relative to the fixed wall is adjustable. Preferably, the position at which the lever is coupled to 10 the pivot means is adjustable to alter the effective distance between the pressure pad and the pivot means. According to one preferred form of the invention the restraint device includes a base frame, which supports 15 the platform, a linkage is provided at each end of the base frame, each linkage connecting the pressure pad to the moveable wall, a second platform at a level lower than said platform being located adjacent to the base frame and to said pressure pad. 20 The restraint device preferably also includes an inlet race and an outlet race, which removably attach to the restraint device at opposite ends of the platform. 25 Spec441 26/8/03 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following more detailed description of the 5 invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sheep restraint device in combination with inlet race, 10 Figure 2 is an end perspective view, Figure 3 is a more detailed end view, and 15 Figure 4 is a schematic partial end view showing how adjustment of the device is achieved in order to accommodate different sized sheep and applied restraint pressure. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As illustrated in the drawings, the sheep restraint device 10 is preferably combined with an inlet race 11. 25 This enables sheep to be channelled toward the restraint device 10 and loaded into the device one at a time. The Spec441 26/8/03 6 inlet race 11 is of largely conventional construction being formed by a ramp 12, sidewalls 13 and a gate 14 which can be opened as required to enable the lead animal in the inlet race to move into the restraint device 10. 5 In the preferred construction, a wall (not readily shown in the drawings) extends from one of the sidewalls 13 to terminate adjacent moveable wall 20 of the restraint device. The opening is (visible in Figure 1) between the 10 other wall 13 and the restraint device 10 is temporarily blocked when the gate 14 is moved into the open position to enable an animal to move into the restraint device 10. For a reason which will hereinafter become apparent the side by which the gate 14 is hingedly mounted can be 15 readily altered so that if required, the inlet race 11 can be positioned at the opposite end of the restraint device 10, yet the opening still be on the same side of the restraint device as shown in Figure 1. 20 The restraint device includes a base framework 16, which mounts a platform 17 above ground level. The height above ground level can be about 400mm. Extending upwardly from one side of the platform 17 is a solid wall 18, which is retained in a fixed position. Extending outwardly 25 transverse to the base frame 16 and on the same side thereof as wall 18 is a ground platform 19. Spec441 26/8/03 7 Both platforms 17 and 19 are preferably formed with a non-slip surface. In the preferred form of the invention, they are constructed from metal with a non-slip surface 5 formed thereon. Expanded mesh sheet is one option, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other options are available, such as upwardly punched openings in sheet steel. Other options are to have the platforms formed from a suitable timber product 10 such as a marine ply, though preferably with a non-slip surface applied to the uppermost surface. Extending along the other long side of the platform 17 is a moveable wall 20. This wall is, in the preferred form 15 of the invention, formed by a framework 21 over which is wrapped and fastened a soft and preferably resilient material 22. The material can be rubber (natural or synthetic), which provides the necessary characteristics of softness, resilience and ability to stand up to normal 20 wear and tear arising from use of the restraint device and/or procedures carried out on sheep, as well as climatic conditions. The framework 21 is coupled at each end of the base 25 framework 16/platform 17 to a downwardly depending arm 23. Each arm is coupled to a cross-member 24, which Spec441 26/8/03 8 extends more or less across the end face of the base framework 16. At the other end of this cross-member 24 is a downwardly 5 extending member 25, which is coupled to an arm 26, which extends outwardly beyond the base frame 16. Extending between the pair of arms 26 is a pressure plate 27. In the preferred form of the invention, this pressure plate 27 is clad in the same material as the platform 17 and 10 19. As can be seen from the drawings, the pressure pad 27 actually extends beyond the ground platform 17, for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent. Cross-member 24 is attached to a pivot arm 28. The pivot 15 arm 28 has at its lower end a sleeve 29 which rotatably (but removably) locates at the end of a pipe or tubular member 30. The end of the pipe or tube 30 thus provides a pivot axis for the pivot arm 28. 20 At the upper end of the pivot arm 28 is a mounting 31, which in a preferred form of the invention, can be of L shaped cross-section. The upright flange (not shown) of the L-shaped mount 31 can be provided with one or a plurality of openings. A fastener such as a readily 25 removable pin 32 is engageable through one of a plurality of openings 33 in the cross-member 23 along its length so Spec441 26/8/03 9 that the position at which the pivot arm 28 is coupled to the cross-member 23 can be adjusted (as will hereinafter be described). 5 The cross-member 23 is biased into a position which represents the moveable wall 20 being in its rest position which is its maximum distance from the solid wall 18. This biasing is achieved in the illustrated form of the invention by a spring 34 which extends 10 between a flange 35 on the cross member 24 and a mounting 36 located at a lower end of the base frame 16. A further spring 38 extends between a mounting 39 toward the upper part of the base frame 16 and a turnbuckle 40 which is coupled at its distal end to a pin 42. The 15 turnbuckle provides a length adjustment which becomes necessary depending on the opening 33 through which the pin 32 is engaged. In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the moveable wall 20 in 20 its rest position. A downward pressure applied to the pressure pad 27 results in movement of the wall 20 toward the fixed wall 18 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In use of the restraint device the person operating the device will stand on the ground platform 19 but by placing one or 25 both of his/her feet on the pressure pad 27 can apply a Spec441 26/8/03 10 downward pressure on the pressure plate so as to move the wall 20 toward the fixed wall 18. Thus, a sheep moving onto the platform 17 from inlet race 5 11 can be restrained by applying the pressure to the downward pressure plate 27 when the sheep is in the correct position on the platform 17. Because of the direct coupling of the pressure pad to the support frame 22 of moveable side 20, the moveable side 20 can be moved 10 quickly when required in order to capture a sheep which will be moving forward on the platform 17 toward the exit end. When the necessary procedure has been carried out on the 15 sheep the operator simply removes pressure from the pressure plate 27. The spring bias from springs 34 and 38 results in the moveable wall 20 moving to the open position thereby releasing the sheep. 20 If the procedure to be carried out on the sheep requires the operator to move in a way which may result in release of pressure on the pressure plate 27, the pressure plate 27 can be locked downwardly by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism is formed by a pair of arms 43, one arm 25 being pivotally mounted to each of upright members 16b of the base frame 16 i.e. an arm 43 is at each end of the Spec441 26/8/03 11 base frame 16. A crosspiece 44 extends between the distal ends of the arms 43 and preferably at each of its extreme ends, it carries a resilient pressure pad 45. 5 Figure 1 shows the locking mechanism in the upright or rest position. However, when the pressure plate 27 is pushed downwardly the locking mechanism can be pivoted so that projecting ends of the crosspiece 44 can engage with the uppermost surface of the arms 26. With the locking 10 mechanism in place the pressure plate 27 is held in the down position and therefore the operator can move freely along the ground platform 19 to carry out whatever procedures need to be carried out on the sheep. 15 When it is time for the sheep to be released, the locking mechanism is simply raised thereby releasing the arms 26 so that under the spring bias the moveable wall 20 moves away from the fixed wall 18. 20 As shown in the drawings, the position of the pivot pipe 30 is adjustable transversely relative to the length of the bottom member 16a of frame 16. To this end a series of tubular mounts 46 are mounted along bottom member 16 a. The pipe 30 can thus be slid into a selected pair of 25 opposed mounts 46. Spec441 26/8/03 12 The amount of pressure exerted on the pressure plate 27 is transferred to move the moveable wall 20. The extent of pressure on the wall 20 will depend on the distance between the wall 20 and the point at which the cross 5 member 24 is fixed by pin 32 to mount 31 of the pivot tube 28. In addition, the gap between the two walls 18 and 20 when at their closest approach can be adjusted to accommodate 10 different sized sheep. Thus, referring to Figure 4, to increase the pressure the pivot pipe 30 can be moved from mounts 46 marked B to mount 46 marked D. Readjustment at the same time of the position of coupling of the cross member 24 to the pivot tube 28 from position 2 to 15 position 3 results in the restraint device being adjusted from small sheep with low pressure applied to the moveable wall 20 to large sheep with higher pressure. Therefore effectively positions A-E provide for width 20 adjustment while adjustment points 1-5 allow for adjustment of pressure. As the pressure plate operation is dependent on the weight of the operator this adjustment also can make adjustment for different operator weights. 25 Spec441 26/8/03 13 In practice an outlet race or chute (not shown) is also provided. This is essentially a ramp with sidewalls and optionally can include a drafting gate at the outlet end. Sleeve mounts 47 can be provided at each end of the base 5 ramp 16 to respectfully mount the end of the inlet and outlet races. In the preferred form of the invention the fixed wall 18 is adjustable in position relative to the length of 10 platform 19. As can be seen, for example, in Figure 2 wall 18 can be positioned at an angle or incline to the length of the platform 17. As a sheep is narrower at the shoulders than it is at the rump the ability to angle the solid or fixed wall 18 makes allowance for the shape of 15 the sheep. Therefore, an even pressure over the entire sheep from the moveable wall 20 is achieved in order to hold the sheep in the restrained position. The wall can be adjusted in either direction to accommodate sheep coming in from either end of the platform depending on 20 which end the inlet race is attached to. The fact that the inlet race 11 can be fitted to either end of the restraint device 10, the adjustability in either direction of the solid wall 18 and the ability to 25 change over the hinged side of the inlet gate 14, plus the fact that the pressure plate 27 extends for the Spec441 26/8/03 14 entire length of the platform 17 plus an overlap, means that the restraint device can be readily adjusted to suit left and right handed operators. In addition, the adjustability previously described with regard to 5 pressure needing to be applied to the pressure plate 27 provides an adjustment for different physical sized operators. The overlap of the pressure plate 27 enables the operator to move wall 20 even if, for some reason, the operator is positioned at either of the extreme ends 10 of platform 17. Mobility is a big issue in farming today. For ease of moving the restraint device from one set of stockyards to another a draw bar and axle can be fitted and clamped to 15 the base frame 16. The restraint device with the inlet and outlet race inside can be towed by an average sized four-wheel drive motorbike ("ATV") . When the restraint device has reached its new working site the ATV is disconnected, whereupon the axle, wheels and draw bar can 20 be removed so that the restraint becomes ready for operation. The restraint device according to the present invention therefore provides a device through which sheep can walk 25 in a single file manner with individual sheep being able to be restrained so that an operator can carry out any Spec441 26/8/03 15 number of procedures that arise with sheep farming. The restraint device thus enables a number of operations that traditionally would need a number of separate facilities or restraints, thereby maximising efficiency. 5 The restraint device is operated in a manner, which leaves the hands of the operator completely free to carry out the procedure which the sheep has to undergo. In a situation where say a pour-on is to be applied to the 10 sheep an operator can quickly learn to operate the restraint device so as to not actually stop and restrain the sheep but to simply inhibit its progress sufficiently long for the required process to be carried out. This therefore makes the job of processing sheep easier on the 15 person/people involved and it can speed up the time that sheep need to be retained in sheep yards, thereby reducing stress. In addition, the amount of squashing of sheep is kept to a minimum. 20 The restraint device is simple to operate and does not require power facilities as it is simply a mechanical operation. The restraint device can be adjusted to accommodate different physical attributes of the operator including ready adjustment for left and right-handed 25 operators. It can also be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of sheep. Spec441 26/8/03

Claims (14)

1. A sheep restraint device including an elongate 5 platform, a wall situated to each long side of the elongate platform, a moving mechanism to, in use, cause relative movement between the walls transverse to the length of the platform, the moving mechanism including a pressure pad located to one side of the 10 platform and a linkage via which pressure applied to the pressure pad causes said relative movement to occurthe linkage being adjustable whereby the 'restraint device can be adjusted to accommodate different sized animals.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein one of said 15 walls is fixed in position and the other wall is moveable toward and away from the fixed wall.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fixed wall is adjustable in position whereby it can be set 20 at an angle to the length of the platform.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the moveable wall is provided with padding. 25

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein biasing means are provided to cause the $pee441claims 26/6/03 17 moveable wall to normally move to a rest position away from the fixed wall.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the biasing 5 means is in the form of one or more springs.

7. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 further including locking means whereby the moveable wall can be temporarily locked in an animal 10 restraining position.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the locking means acts on the pressure pad or linkages to hold the pressure pad in position after a pressure has 15 been applied thereto.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the linkage includes a lever which is coupled to a pivot means, whereby the lever is 20 moveable about the pivot axis established by the pivot means.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the position of the pivot axis relative to the fixed wall is 25 adjustable. Spec441claims 26/8/03 18

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the position at which the lever is coupled to the pivot means is adjustable to alter the effective distance between the pressure pad and the pivot means. 5

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint device includes a base frame which supports the platform, a linkage is provided at each end of the base frame, each linkage 10 connecting the pressure pad to the moveable wall, a second platform at a level lower than said platform being located adjacent to the base frame and positioned between the base frame and the pressure pad. 15

13. The restraint device according to any one of the preceding claims further including an inlet race and an outlet race which removably attach to the restraint device at opposite ends of the platform. 20

14. A sheep restraint device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25 Spec441claims 26/8/03 19 DATED this twenty-sixth day of August 2003 WAYNE JOHN COFFEY and LYNLEY CHRISTINE COFFEY 5 PATENT ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES Spec441claims 26/8/03