AU2004100925A4 - Locking apparatus for animal cage - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "LOCKING APPARATUS FOR ANIMAL CAGE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1

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TITLE

0 "LOCKING APPARATUS FOR ANIMAL CAGE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION o THIS INVENTION relates to a locking apparatus, preferably for a cattle crush gate or other cage.

0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0Animals, including livestock such as cattle, are often restrained within a cage. A cattle crush gate, also referred to as a "head gate" or "head bail", restrains the head and/or neck of an animal to provide a person with safe access to the animal. A restrained animal may be administered medication, for example an injection, blood may be taken, ears tagged, horns removed and the like.

Known cattle crushes comprise opposed metal bars that are placed against opposite sides of the animal's neck when a gate is closed. It is important that the animal is not able to freely remove its head and neck from between the gate when in use. To lock the gate in a closed position, known locks comprise a ratchet mechanism that secure the gate at a predetermined location in a stepwise manner. This limits the size of an opening between the bars to a specific predetermined distance. It will be appreciated that not all animals have a same sized head or neck and as the ratchet mechanism does not provide an infinite adjustment of length of the gate opening an animal is typically able to move more than is acceptable.

Also, a ratchet mechanism is noisy and tends to frighten the animal, which is often already stressed from being located in the cage.

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A rubber collar is sometimes located adjacent the bars so that 0 when the gate is closed the rubber collar contacts the neck of the animal.

Although the rubber collar may provide a minor adjustment to better retrain Ithe animal, the rubber collar is prone to deterioration and requires replacement.

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A hydraulic mechanism may be used to adjust the opening of 0 o the gate, however, hydraulic mechanisms are expensive, tend to be bulky and require more frequent maintenance than non-hydraulic type locks.

There is a need for a locking apparatus for a cattle crush gate that is simple to construct, prevents unwanted opening of the gate and also locks the gate at any position within a range of the gate opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative or improvement to the abovementioned background art.

The invention in a preferred form provides a locking apparatus for a gate that is simple to construct, quiet when in use, is capable of infinite locking positions within a range of the gate opening and is releasable under load.

The invention provides a locking apparatus comprising: an outer member; (ii) an inner member locatable within the outer member and capable of telescopic movement relative to the outer member; (iii) a locking member capable of contacting the inner member to thereby restrict the telescopic movement of the inner member *3 relative to the outer member; 0 (iv) a bias member that applies a force against the locking N member to thereby direct the locking member to contact the surface of the inner member; and a releasing member attached to the locking member, 0 wherein the releasing member is capable of moving the locking member 0 o away from the inner member.

Preferably, the outer member is attached to a frame.

Preferably, the outer member comprises a channel, continuous hollow tube or one or more brackets.

The inner member may be substantially hollow, hollow or solid.

Preferably, the releasing member when rotated moves the locking member away from the inner member.

Preferably, the outer member comprises an aperture through which the locking member passes therethrough.

Preferably, the locking member restricts movement of the inner member relative to the outer member in one direction.

More preferably, the locking apparatus restricts movement of the inner member inward relative to the outer member.

Preferably, the locking apparatus is attachable to a cage.

More preferably, the cage is a cattle crush gate.

Preferably, the locking apparatus is attached to a cage.

More preferably, the cage comprises a cattle crush gate.

As stated above, the locking apparatus is preferably attachable to a cage, for example a cattle crush gate, also referred to as a front gate, O head gate and the like. The locking apparatus may be used with any suitable cage capable of retaining an animal and accordingly, the size of the locking apparatus and cage may differ than that described in the preferred 5 embodiment for livestock. The locking apparatus may be used with standard 0 cattle crush gates, including mobile or transportable cattle crushes and calf 0 ocrushes. The term livestock is used broadly and encompasses animals including for example cattle, horses, buffalo, sheep and goats. The locking apparatus may be used with a small cage suitable for an animal such as a rabbit, cat, dog and the like.

Throughout this specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated integers or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein: FIG. 1 is an isometric partially transparent view of a preferred embodiment of the locking apparatus; FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the locking apparatus of FIG.

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FIG. 3 is a front view of a head gate of a cattle crush with the O locking apparatus attached in a closed configuration; and NFIG. 4 is a front view of the head gate shown in FIG. 3 in an n open configuration.

5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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In order that the invention may be readily understood and put 0 o into practical effect, particular preferred embodiments will now be described by way of the following non-limiting examples.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a locking apparatus 10 that is suitable for locking a gate, such as a cattle crush gate as described herein. The locking apparatus 10 comprises a frame 11, an outer member 30 attached to the frame 11, an inner member 20 that is locatable within outer member 30 and telescopically moves relative thereto and a locking member 40. The locking member 40 is biased towards a contact surface 21 of the inner member 20 to restrict movement of the inner member 20 relative to the outer member The bias member 50 is shown as a coiled spring that applies a force against a plate 43 of the locking member 40 as shown. The bias member 50 is located around a bolt 51 and retained at one end by a nut 52.

The bias member 50 is shown located in a preferred arrangement that is parallel with a direction that the inner member 20 extends from the outer member 30. An engaging portion 42 of the locking member 40 is shown as an edge of an arni 41 of the locking member 40 that extends through an aperture 31 in the outer member 30 and contacts the contact surface 21.

When the engaging portion 42 is in contact with the contact surface 21, the inner member 20 is restricted from moving in a direction inwards towards a 6

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o hollow interior 32 of the outer member 30. Preferably, the restricted 0 movement of the inner member 20 relative to the outer member 30 is prevention of movement therebetween. The locking bar 30 does not substantially prevent movement of the inner member 10 in an outward 5 direction away from the interior 32 of the outer member 30. This one-way

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olocking mechanism is useful when the locking apparatus 10 is used with a ocattle crush gate as will be described hereinafter.

0 A releasing member 60 is shown as a shaft that is attached to the arm 41 of the locking member 40 and rotatable within co-aligned apertures 61 on the frame 11. To allow the inner member 20 to move inward the releasing member 60 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, which moves the engaging portion 42 away from the contact surface 21. The embodiment of the releasing member 60 shown is capable of moving the locking member 40 away from the inner member 20 even when a force is applied against the inner member 20 towards the outer member 30. Release of the engaging portion 42 may be assisted by a minor spacing between the bolt 51 and plate 43 within an aperture 53 of the plate 43. Preferably, the bolt 51 is 3/8" and the aperture 53 is which prevents jamming of the plate 43. It is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention may include releasing the engaging portion 42 by moving the releasing member in a direction perpendicular and away from contact surface 21, rather than rotation of the releasing member It will also be appreciated that the releasing member 60 may be located on an opposite side of the frame 11 so that the releasing member is rotated in a clockwise direction. Also, it is contemplated that the inner member 20 may extend from an end of the outer member 30 opposite that shown. It is preferred that the inner member 20 is made of a material softer 7

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o than the locking member 40 so that in use the locking member 40 is capable 0 of slightly cutting into the inner member 20 to provide further restriction of movement of the inner member 20. For example, the inner member 20 may be made of mild steel and the locking member 40 may be made of mild steel C\ 5 that is hard faced at the engaging portion 42 or may be made of an alloy or

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ostainless steel (any steel with a harder surface than mild steel is preferred).

oFor this embodiment, the inner member 20 may be removed from the outer 0 N member 30 and reinserted into the outer member 30 so that a difference surface of the inner member 20 is the contact surface 21 if the contact surface 21 becomes worn over time.

FIG. 3 shows the locking apparatus 10 attached to a top part of a cattle crush gate 100 wherein doors 110, 120 are in a closed configuration such that vertical bars 111, 121 attached to the respective doors 110, 120 are close to each other, preferably in contact with each other. The bars 111, 121 move within a track 143. As shown in FIG. 3, inner member 20 is extended away from outer member 30. The doors 110, 120 are opened by lifting arm 140 upward, which moves intermediate member 145 as shown in FIG. 4. Attached at opposite ends of the intermediate member 145 are a first end member 144 and a second end member 146. The first end member 144 is attached at an end opposite the intermediate member 145 to a roller 142. The second end member 145 is attached to the bar 121 as shown.

When the arm 140 is lifted, the first end member 144 moves the roller 142, along with bar 111 and door 110, way from door 120. Simultaneously, the second end member 146 moves the bar 121 and door 120 way from door 110. In this manner, the doors 110, 120 are opened simultaneously.

The locking member 40 is in contact with the contact surface 21 of the inner member, which prevents moving the inner member 20 in 8

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direction inward towards the outer member 30. As the inner member

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cannot freely move inward, the doors 110, 120 cannot freely move away from each other, which prevents the doors 110, 120 from opening. The locking member 40 is capable of contacting the inner member 20 at any 5 location along the contact surface 21, which provides for a continuous infinite

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oadjustment of the inner member 20 relative to the outer member o Accordingly, the doors 110, 120 may be secured at a continuous infinite 0 Ci distance from each other, within the range from completely closed to completely open. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member 40 can be moved away from the inner member 20 while a force is applied to open the doors 110, 120 by rotating the releasing member 60 in a counter clockwise direction.

When in use with an animal, such as a cow, horse, goat or other animal, the animal's neck is located between bars 111, 121 and the bars 111, 121 are moved to a location adjacent to the animal's neck.

Preferably, the bars 111, 121 are in contact, or near contact, with the animal's neck to prevent unwanted movement of the animal. This restricts the movement of the animal so that the animal may be administered a medication, a veterinary examination performed, ear tagged or the like. Itwill be appreciated the when the animal is restrained within the cattle crush gate 100, it is important that the animal cannot freely open the gate 100. It is further important that the gate 100 may be closed on the animal's neck so that there is little space between the neck and bar 111, 121 to reduce movement of the animal. Accordingly, the present invention provides a continuous infinite adjustment of the locking apparatus 10, which allows for bars 111, 121 to be located adjacent the animal's neck regardless of the thickness of the neck. This is a clear advantage over ratchet type locking 9 0 o devices capable of only step-wise adjustment. It will further be appreciated 0 that the present invention provides an apparatus that is capable of unlocking or opening the doors 110, 120 while a force is applied against the bars 111, 121 of the doors 110, 120.

O 5 It will be appreciated that although the inner member 20 and

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o outer member 30 are shown as comprising a square cross section, other oshapes are contemplated including rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal and 0 N the like. Also, the bias member 50 is preferably a coiled spring, however the bias member 50 comprises other types of members for example a leaf spring. It will also be appreciated that although the outer member 30 is preferably a continuous hollow tube, the outer member 30 may comprise a channel, such as an opened U-shaped channel, or two or more brackets for guiding the inner member The above described cattle crush is merely a preferred embodiment of a cage to which the locking apparatus of the invention may be attached. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the locking apparatus may be suitable for other cages or other gates with or without a cage. Accordingly, the locking apparatus is not limited to use with only a gate or cage and may be applied to other devices requiring securing of an inner member relative to an outer member.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

0 0 c, The disclosure of each document and patent specification 0 referred to in this specification is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

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Claims (3)

1. 2. The locking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the releasing member when rotated moves the locking member away from the inner member.
2. 3. The locking apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking member restricts movement of the inner member relative to the outer member in one direction.
3. 4. The locking apparatus of claim 3 wherein the locking apparatus restricts movement of the inner member inward relative to the outer member. The locking apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the locking apparatus is attached to a cage.