BAULK GATE ASSEMBLY FOR LIVESTOCK CRUSH 5 BACKGROUND This invention relates generally to gates, and in particular to heavy duty livestock gates used for controlling the passage of animals when moved from one location to another. The invention is applicable to gates installed in a variety of applications but is particularly well adapted for closing animal 10 races. The invention provides an alternative to the known gate assemblies used in such applications and includes a self closing mechanism which allows opposing gate sections to close across an opening. The invention also relates to a mechanism for effecting such gate closure. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to 15 that a particular application but it will be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to that application. PRIOR ART Farm gates are generally of a sturdy and strong construction, particularly where they are required to retain or control animal stock. For example, in 20 animal races very strong and robust gates are required to resist high impact loads from animals. Gates installed in such races are generally hung between adjacent support posts. The gates are usually constructed from heavy duty steel or aluminium. 25 Cattle crushes are used to direct animals such as cows and sheep along a path to a yard and in some cases directly into transport vehicles. Typically a crush might lead to as many as three yards allowing cattle to be sorted into groups or categories. Associated with such crushes are Baulk Gates A baulk gate is used to stop animals passing along a crush and to redirect them into 30 one yard or another. On occasions, animals become caught by the gates in a case where the animals head is advanced so far that the gate becomes jammed by the animal so that it cannot be rotated /swung to redirect the animal. away from too far.
One common way to draft or direct animals is to swing conventional gates from and about corresponding support posts. The free end of the gate is 5 generally close to the end of the crush when that gate is parallel to the crush - i.e. parallel tot the longitudinal axis of the crush. In addition, there is commonly a latch post associated with the gate. Because the caught animal's head protrudes past the swing arc of the gate it is not possible to swing the gate past an animal's head to direct the animal in a certain direction upon 10 leaving the crush. To overcome this problem, the animal must be backed back completely into the crush, thereby allowing the gate the freedom of its full swing arc. This is time consuming as it can take considerable effort to reverse cattle when on coming cattle are pressing. . 15 Sometimes conventional gates have been shortened to allow movement past an animal's head. The problem is that when this gate is latched in a diagonally opposite position, there is a gap large enough for the animal to attempt to exit the crush which is opposite the direction intended. Sometimes this is overcome by filling in the gap between the gate latch post 20 and the crush so as to close this gap from animal head access. However this creates a problem for access to the animals head for such necessary husbandry tasks such as ear tagging and dehorning while the animals are in the crush. 25 The above problem has in the past been addressed in the past by two methods. A second smaller gate is added to the free end of the larger gate which in operation concertinas past the animals head and latch close enough on the 30 diagonally opposite side to prevent the animal from trying to exit the crush in the wrong direction. Another solution was the use of a small gate which is attached to the larger gate which slid along the frame of the larger gate. The small gate was slid along the frame to advance past the animals head and then slid back to full extension prior to latching to prevent the animal exiting in the wrong direction. This gate had the added advantage of a baulk gate between the 2 gates so that when all gates were in the closed position the baulk gate was approximately 800mm in front of the crush. This contained the animal to 5 this area, allowing it to be backed up and another attempt made to catch it in the crush instead of having to get the animal out of the bigger yard and other cattle. The above are examples of known gate supports and latching assemblies . In animal races gates are generally of the conventional swing type or 10 constructed on a runner or slide where there is insufficient room to allow swinging. Sliding gates are more practical in a confined space of a race and have the advantage of instant restriction to animal passage irrespective of the direction the animal is heading. In a case where a sliding gate closes from one side of an opening to another there is a delay in the gate reaching 15 closure at an opposite style. This delay can allow an animal to pass through the race at the gate in the time it takes for the gate to at least partially block off the opening. To prevent an animal from passing through a gate point, the gate must have advanced a distance which leaves an opening less than the width of a neck of a beast. Any greater than that distance and a beast 20 may be able to break through. Configuration of the gate arrangements at an opening to a chute or crush is dictated by the type of operation which is performed. In some cases the objective is to restrain an animal at the neck, in other cases a gate is intended to regulate passage of a beast along a chute and in another case to direct 25 animals along one of a selection of available. The latter has been the most difficult to achieve without the time consuming effort and inefficiency of pushing animals back when an animal's head advances too far trapping control gates. INVENTION 30 This invention provides an alternative to the known crush assemblies and more particularly provides an alternative closure assembly for a crush which allows a baulk gate to be operated to direct animal passage even in the case 3 where an animals head has advanced further than required. The invention further provides a gate assembly in which two gate members rotate in unison laterally relative to a support. The joined baulk gates may both be swung through an arc of 90 degrees in either lateral direction. The baulk gate 5 assembly will normally be placed in a cattle yard after the crush wherein the gates are swung so as to direct an animal in a certain direction i.e. draft. There are three exit passages created by the gate configurations. This arrangement allows for the double unison swing, with all gate operation carried out by the operator from one side of the crush. The front smaller 10 gates will concertina in a dual parallel fashion past the animals head and the larger gates will concertina in a dual parallel way in either direction at close to 90 degrees. This is important as it allows unrestricted access to the animal's head for husbandry. Up till now the baulk gate has not been able to be incorporated because the third "joining" of the 2 gates has severely 15 restricted swing of the main gates. This invention incorporates a baulk gate that can 'expand' between the gudgeons and the latching point so the gate swing movement is not restricted. This "expansion' can either be achieved by a baulk gate that is hinged between gudgeons and latch point or including a degree of horizontal movement built into the latch end of the 20 baulk gate. Either of the above embodiments allow for the complete 180 degree swing arc of combined gates Note the stopper on the left hand side of the frame that the top "Swivel Arm" hits when wanting to direct animals to the right hand side upon exiting the crush. Contact with this stopper by the 'swivel arm" automatically straightens the small and large gate to their 25 maximum extension, thereby minimizing the gap between the crush and the latch end of the small gate The inner stopper can be removed to allow the gates to swing 90 degrees to the left if this is required It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved baulk gate 30 assembly which enables optimal control of animals and efficient placement along a passage selected by an operator. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a crush including a baulk gate assembly which is easy 4 to operate and which provides a solution to the problem created when an animals head blocks a gate when a head advances too far along the crush. With this in mind, the present invention provides co operating baulk gate assembly for controlling animals in a crush wherein the gates operate in 5 unison to move between a first disposition allowing free passage of animals along a through passage and a second state in which the gates direct an animal into a selected passage and which are operable even in the event that an animal advances too far. The present invention further provides a baulk gate assembly for controlling 10 animals in a crush wherein the gates operate in unison to allow access to a head of an animal for performing such a drenching or dehoming. The gate assembly has various configurations depending on its selected operation. In its broadest form the present invention comprises: 15 a baulk gate assembly comprising : a primary frame having an overhead member and ground engaging supporting members; opposing walls defining a passage and a gate assembly selectively blocking said passage ; 20 the assembly further comprising a pair of baulk gates the first of which is pivotally connected to a first stile and the second is pivotally connected to a second stile; wherein a free end of each baulk gate is capable of rotation through an arc of up to 180 degrees. According to a preferred embodiment, the baulk gates are mutually 25 connected by a strut which enables the gates to rotate in unison. According to a further embodiment at least one baulk gate includes a primary locking assembly which selectively locks the gates in an alignment 5 with the support frame. Unlocking of the locking assembly allows the gates to rotate in unison. The assembly further comprises an auxiliary locking assembly which selectively locks the walls to the stile. When the primary and auxiliary locking assemblies are unlocked, the walls which are 5 connected by a secondary strut are capable of lateral movement in unison. In another broad form the present invention comprises: a baulk gate assembly for use in conjunction with an animal crush comprising : a primary frame having an overhead member and ground engaging 10 supporting members; a pair of baulk gates the first of which is pivotally connected to a first stile and the second is pivotally connected to a second stile; wherein a free end of each baulk gate is capable of rotation through an arc of up to 180 degrees. The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and 15 the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in 20 sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The 25 following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 6 The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations. Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a crush and baulk gate assembly 5 according to a preferred embodiment. Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the assembly of figure 1 with baulk gate assembly gate perspective view of a panel of indefinite length showing free end connectors according to a preferred embodiment Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the baulk gate assembly of figure 10 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figure 1 there is shown an elevation view of an animal crush 1 which includes a baulk gate assembly 2. Crush 1 comprises a primary frame 15 3 retains a moveable race 4 having walls 5 and 6 and primary gates 7 and 8. Walls 5 and 6 re connected to primary frame 3 and primary gates 7 and 8 connected to walls 5 and 6. Walls 5 and 6 define a passage 9 which is blocked by gates 7 and 8. Passage 9 is a first of three possible crush passages along which an animal can be urged. Since walls 5 and 6 are pivotally 20 connected to primary frame 3 they are capable of movement at an angle relative to frame 3. In a first disposition, gates 7 and 8 are presented in general alignment to opening 10 to crush 1. Gates 7 and 8 are set back from opening 10 creating space 11 in which baulk gates 12 and 13 operate. Gates 12 and 13 are shown latched to stiles 14 and 15 respectively of primary 25 frame 3 restricting movement of walls 5 and 6 and gates 12 and 13 relative to frame 3. Since baulk gates 12 and 13 are connected to walls 5 and 6 respectively, their movement is related to the movement of walls 5 and 6 relative to frame 3. In addition to potential movement of gates 12 and 13 in a horizontal arc gates 12 and 13 may also move relative to walls 5 and 6. Thus 7 gates 12 and 13 move relative to a first pivot about which walls 5 and 6 rotate as well as about axes through hinges 16 and 17. Walls 5 and 6 rotate together as stiles 14 and 15 are joined by strut 18. Gates 12 and 13 are connected by strut 19 which causes them to move in unison in a first lateral 5 direction and in an opposite direction. Latching assembly 20 includes a locking bolt 21 and secures baulk gate 12 against stile 14. This disposition of gates 12 and 13 in the latched condition presents a passage 22 to incoming animals. When gates 12 and 13 are latched by latching assembly 20, animals are urged between gates 7 and 8. When an operator requires the animals to 10 exit the crush through lateral openings as an alternative to exiting through gates 7 and 8, the operator disengages latching assembly 20 which allows gates 12 and 13 to advance laterally and to rotate about their respective hinge anchorages. Baulk gates 12 ands 13 are relatively narrow which reduces the radius and therefore the arc of rotation. Figure 1 shows the baulk 15 gate assembly locked against movement relative to frame 3. In this configuration animals can enter passage 22 and provided gates 7 and 8 are open animals may proceed along passage 23 defined by walls 5 and 6. When locking bolt 21 of latching assembly 20 is released from frame 3 and when locking assembly 24 is released from frame 3 this allows walls 5 and 6 and 20 gates 12 and 13 to move laterally relative to frame 3. This lateral displacement allows the creation of additional passages either side of frame 3 so the operator may choose which path will be taken by an animal. The operator has two movement options. He can urge walls 5 and 6 from side to side by either pulling handle 25 towards him or pushing handle 25 away 25 which urges walls 5 and 6 away from him. This allows selection of passages as required by the operator. During the process of passage selection, the operator has rotational options with respect to the positioning of the baulk gates 12 and 13. If an operator requires an animal to be diverted into a right side passage, the operator will urge handle 25 in a direction away from that 30 passage which opens that passage. If animals are crushing forward the leading animal's head might advance past opening 10 and on a left side of gate 13. In this case, gate 13 is short enough to rotate even when the animals head has entered passage 22 to create a larger opening for the animal to pass through to the right passage. This process is repeated in reverse when an 8 operator requires an animal to exit left of wall 5. In the prior art arrangements the ability to move the gate to create a free passage for the animals head was not possible as the rotating gate would jamb the animals head creating the necessity to reverse the animal to clear the gate so the 5 animal could then be presented to the correct passage. Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the assembly of figure 1 with baulk gate assembly gate perspective view of a panel of indefinite length showing free end connectors according to a preferred embodiment Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the baulk gate assembly of figure 10 1. This invention allows for the double concertina, with all operations being able to be carried out from the one side of frame 3. The baulk gates 12 and 13 concertina in unison in parallel past the animals head and the larger gates will concertina in a dual parallel way in either direction at close to 90 15 degrees. This is important as it allows unrestricted access to the animal's head for husbandry. Up till now the baulk gate has not been able to be incorporated because the third "joining" of the 2 gates has severely restricted swing of the main gates. This invention incorporates a baulk gate that can 'expand' between the 20 gudgeons and the latching point thus the gate unrestricted swing movement. This "expansion' can either be achieved by a baulk gate that is hinged again between gudgeons and latch point (as in photo), or having a degree of horizontal movement built into the latch end of the baulk gate. 25 Either of the above will allow for the complete concertinaing thus 180 degree swing arc of the combined gates Note the stopper on the left hand side of the frame that the top "Swivel Arm" hits when wanting to direct animals to the right hand side upon exiting the 30 crush. Contact with this stopper by the 'swivel arm" automatically straightens the small and large gate to their maximum extension, thereby minimizing the gap between the crush and the latch end of the small gate 9 The inner stopper can be removed to allow the gates to swing 90 degrees to the left if this is required The assembly described above has a number of advantages over the prior art arrangements which include the following. Firstly, the ends of the baulk 5 gates are short enough that the gates can be rotated past an animals head when the head of an animal is in the crush so it is now possible to swing the gate past an animal's head to direct the animal in a certain direction upon leaving the crush. This overcomes the previous problem of having to back the animal from the crush to clear the gates for rotation. Also the gate 10 configuration does not leave a gap such as in the prior art which would allow an animal to exit in an unwanted direction. Where this problem was overcome in the prior art by filling in the gap between the gate latch post and the crush this precluded access to the animals head for such necessary husbandry tasks such as ear tagging, 15 drenching and dehorning. The present invention overcomes this problem. It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modification may be made to the invention broadly described herein with out departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention. 20 25 10