AU2011202641B2 - A Side Mounted Animal Crush Weighing Assembly - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: A Side Mounted Animal Crush Weighing Assembly Applicant: Stark Engineering & Hardware Pty Ltd The invention is described in the following statement: 2 A SIDE MOUNTED ANIMAL CRUSH WEIGHING ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention. The present invention relates generally to the field of apparatus for weighing live animals and particularly to a side mounted animal crush weighing 5 assembly. Background Art. A cattle crush (in British Isles, New Zealand and Australia), squeeze chute, (North America) standing stock, or simply stock (North America, Ireland) is a strongly built stall or cage for holding cattle, horses, or other livestock safely while 10 they are examined, marked, or given veterinary treatment. Cows may be made to suckle calves in a crush. For the safety of the animal and the people attending it, a close-fitting crush may be used to ensure the animal stands "stock still". The overall purpose of a crush is to hold an animal still in order to minimize the risk of injury to both the animal itself and the operator whilst work on the animal is performed. 15 Specialised crushes may be provided to allowing animals to be weighed whilst in the crush. According to convention, such specialized crushes are provided with a floor or crush case which is suspended from above or a platform supported centrally from below. Each of these known method have its own disadvantages including 20 fouling of the mechanism or instability. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention. 25 The present invention is directed to a side mounted animal crush weighing assembly, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides 30 broadly in a side mounted animal crush weighing assembly including a crush cage and a plurality of leg assemblies, the crush cage mounted relative to the leg assemblies with at least one load measuring device therebetween and each of the leg assemblies mounted outside the crush cage.

3 In an alternative embodiment, the present invention resides in a side mounted animal crush weighing assembly including a crush cage and a plurality of leg assemblies, each leg assembly mounted to a side of the crush cage, and at least one load measuring device therebetween. 5 Preferably, the leg assemblies are mounted to the sides of the crush cage in a lower region of the cage. The present invention is directed towards a crush for weighing live animals and particularly cattle or horses or the like. Normally, the animals will approach the crush through a race. A forward portion of the crush is closed so that the 10 animal must stop within the crush and a rear door or bar is placed behind the animal to prevent the animal moving backward down the race whilst the weighing (and any other actions) is performed. The crush cage is typically defined by number of members which together form a cage about the animal. Typically, the cage will have a forward 15 opening through which the animal leaves the cage and rearward opening through which the animal enters the cage. The forward opening and the rearward opening will each typically have a door or similar closing means allowing isolation of the animal within the cage and also limit the movement forward and rearward of the animal while in the cage. In order to gain a reasonably accurate weight, the animal will need to be 20 maintained substantially still while weighing is performed. Therefore, the crush cage will receive the animal quite closely to restrict movement of the animal whilst in the cage. Typically, the cage will extend upwardly and over the animal as well as along either side of the animal. 25 Typically, the cage may be formed from a structural or support framework. Normally, portions of the support framework will be covered by planar or sheet members, particularly the base or floor of the cage to provide a surface for the animal to walk on. Typically, there will be at least two substantially parallel, spaced apart 30 members forming the support framework for the floor or base, a further at least two substantially parallel spaced apart members forming the support framework for the roof of the cage and a pair of upright members at either end of the cage maintaining the roof of the cage above the floor. One or more crossmembers may be provided 4 between the substantially parallel members forming the floor and/or the roof in order to brace the cage and maintain the sides of the cage spaced apart. One or more further upright members may be provided between the upright members at either end of the cage. 5 It is important that the cage be robust enough in order to enclose and hold a fully grown animal which in some cases can weigh many tonnes and are typically powerful beasts. The structural framework of the cage is substantially rigid and is typically manufactured out of a metal material for strength. At least one of the upright members forming the cage will preferably be 10 provided with a mounting bracket and typically, each of the four end upright members will be provided with a mounting bracket. Each mounting bracket will typically include a lateral extension, normally extending sideways from the upright member. The lateral extensions will preferably be braced with one or more bracing members being provided in order to 15 maintain the position of the lateral extension, particularly when under full load of an animal within the cage. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a mounting plate is mounted to the upright member of the cage with the lateral extension extending substantially perpendicularly thereto. A pair of angled bracing members are preferably provided between the mounting plate and the lateral extension in order to 20 brace the position of the lateral extension. As mentioned above, each of the mounting brackets will typically be side mounted on the outside of each respective end upright member. It is anticipated that the mounting members may be provided on the forward or rearward end of the upright members however this is less preferred as it may expose the animal to the 25 mounting bracket which may cause injury to the animal as it passes into the crush cage. Other shaped mounting brackets may be provided if required. The apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of leg assemblies which support the crush cage. Each of the leg assemblies is typically 30 attached to a floor or ground surface. According to a preferred embodiment, each of the leg assemblies is provided with a mounting plate in order to mount the leg assemblies to the floor or ground surface. The mounting plate will typically be mounted substantially directly to 5 the floor or ground surface and typically with heavy duty fasteners such as bolts. The mounting plate may also be mounted to the floor or ground surface such that a levelling ability is provided for the crush cage. An elongate riser member is preferably provided extending upwardly 5 from each mounting plate. Preferably, the riser member will be braced into orientation, typically in more than one direction. Bracing members will normally be provided for this purpose and the bracing members are typically angled between the riser member and the mounting plate and attached to both. A load measurement device mounting portion is preferably provided at 10 or adjacent an upper end of the elongate riser member. The preferred configuration for the load measurement device mounting portion is a plate member which extends substantially parallel to the floor mounting plate. The load measurement device mounting portion is preferably braced into orientation, again typically in more than one direction. Again, angled members are preferably provided between the load 15 measurement device mounting portion and the angled riser. The leg assembly is preferably configured such that a substantially planar surface is presented on the side of the leg assembly adjacent the crush cage. Normally, each leg assembly is located outside the periphery of the cage so that the cage is located in a substantially rectangular area defined between the leg assemblies. 20 Further, the upright members of the crush cage are substantially parallel to the riser members of the leg assemblies and preferably, directly inside the riser members. It is preferred that each leg assembly is manufactured from robust material and typically a metal is used. However, other materials may find application 25 or coatings may be used particularly given that the leg assemblies will typically be exposed to harsh environments. One or more load measurement device for weight determination is typically provided between at least one of the load measurement device mounting portions and at least one of the mounting brackets on the cage. Typically, each leg 30 assembly will be provided with an associated load measurement device. Normally, a load measurement device is positioned between the crush cage mounting bracket and the leg assembly. Load cells or similar are preferred but there are many mechanisms available for use which would allow measurement of weight and any of these can be 6 used. For example, a pressure transducer can be used to calculate weight due to changes in pressure. It is preferred that the weighing assembly of the present invention has a weighing capacity of approximately 4000 kg. High-capacity load cells are preferably 5 used in order to withstand large shock or impact loads such as when a large animal stands enters the cage. The weighing assembly of the present invention may be provided in a permanent installation for large crushes. Provision of the leg assemblies according to the preferred embodiment 10 with the ground mounting plate results in easy access for bolting of the crush to the floor or ground surface. Provision of the load measuring devices externally outside the boundaries of the crush cage allows for easy access for maintenance. Further, the load measuring devices are typically located above the floor area which means that they are kept clear of the wet or dirty area of the crush. 15 The load measuring devices of the present invention may be associated with an algorithm for calculating the weight of the beast in the crush cage using the measurements from the preferred four load measuring devices. A number of algorithms are available which allow this functionality and any may be used. One or more locating or guide bolt(s) may be provided in association 20 with the leg assemblies in order to prevent or control lateral excursions of the cage relative to the leg assemblies but to allow reciprocation of the crush cage with a load measuring device therebetween. The crush cage may be supported over an opening or simply supported above the ground so that when an animal is on the platform in the crush cage, the 25 lowermost portion of the crush cage is unrestricted in movement downwardly in order to gain an accurate weight of the animal. One or more emergency stop means may be provided to prevent the cage moving beyond a predetermined limit. Any of the features of the invention disclosed herein may be claimed in any combination with any of the other features. 30 Brief Description of the Drawings. Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a side mounted animal crush weighing 7 assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an isometric view of a leg assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3A to 3D illustrate a near side rear/offside front, a nearside 5 front/offside rear, a nearside front/offside rear end a nearside rear/offside front leg assemblies according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a mounting bracket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an isometric view of the mounting bracket illustrated in 10 Figure 4. Figure 6 is an isometric view of a side mounted animal crush weighing assembly of the preferred embodiment. Figure 7 is a detailed isometric view of the portion marked A in figure 6. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side mounted crush weighing assembly is provided. The side mounted animal crush weighing assembly 10 illustrated in the Figures includes a crush cage 11 and a plurality of leg assemblies 12. As illustrated, 20 each leg assembly 12 is mounted to a side of the crush cage I 1 with a load measuring device 13 therebetween. The crush cage 11 is defined by number of members which together form a cage about the animal. The cage 11 has a forward opening 14 through which the animal leaves the cage 11 and rearward opening 15 through which the animal 25 enters the cage 11. The forward opening 14 and the rearward opening 15 each typically have a door or similar (not shown) allowing isolation of the animal within the cage 11 and also limit the movement forward and rearward of the animal while in the cage 11. In order to gain a reasonably accurate weight, the animal will need to be maintained substantially still whilst weighing is performed. Therefore, the crush cage 30 11 will receive the animal quite closely to restrict movement of the animal whilst in the cage 11.

8 The cage is formed from a structural or support framework. Normally, portions of the support framework will be covered by planar or sheet members, particularly the base or floor of the cage. As illustrated, there are two substantially parallel, spaced apart floor 5 rail members 16 forming the support framework for the floor or base, a further two substantially parallel spaced apart roof rail members 17 forming the support framework for the roof of the cage I I and a pair of upright end members 18 at either end of the cage maintaining the roof of the cage above the floor. Crossmembers 19 are provided between the rail members forming the floor and the roof in order to brace the 10 cage 11. Further upright members 20 may be provided between the upright members 18 at either end of the cage 11. The upright end members 18 forming the cage are each provided with a mounting bracket 35, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. 15 Each mounting bracket 35 includes a lateral extension 21, extending sideways from the upright member 18. The lateral extensions 21 are braced with angled bracing members 22 being provided in order to maintain the position of the lateral extension 21, particularly when under full load of an animal within the cage 11. According to the preferred embodiment, a mounting plate 23 is mounted to the upright 20 member 18 with the lateral extension 21 extending substantially perpendicularly thereto. A mounting opening for engaging a portion of the load measuring device or attachment member is also provided in the lateral extension 24. As mentioned above and best illustrated in Figure 7, each of the mounting brackets 35 is side mounted on the outside of each respective end upright 25 member 18. The apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of leg assemblies 12 which support the crush cage 11. Each of the leg assemblies 12 illustrated is adapted to be attached to a floor or ground surface. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the leg assemblies 12 30 is provided with a mounting plate 25 in order to mount the leg assemblies 12 onto the floor or ground surface. The mounting plate 25 is attached substantially directly to the floor or ground surface with heavy duty fasteners such as bolts with a levelling ability provided for the crush cage 11.

9 An elongate riser member 26 is provided extending upwardly from each mounting plate 25. The riser member is braced into orientation, in more than one direction by bracing members 27 provided for this purpose and the bracing members 27 are angled between the riser member 26 and the mounting plate 25 and attached to 5 both. A load measurement device mounting plate 28 is provided at an upper end of the elongate riser member 26 which extends substantially parallel to the floor mounting plate 25. The load measurement device mounting plate 28 is braced into orientation by angled members 29 provided between the load measurement device 10 mounting plate 28 and the riser 26. Again a mounting opening for engaging a portion of the load measuring device or attachment member is also provided in the load measurement device mounting plate 28. The leg assembly 12 is configured such that a substantially planar surface is presented on the side of the leg assembly 12 adjacent the crush cage 11. 15 Normally, each leg assembly 12 is located outside the periphery of the cage II so that the cage I1 is located in a substantially rectangular area defined between the leg assemblies 12. A load measurement device 13 is provided between each of the load measurement device mounting plates 28 and the mounting bracket 35 on the cage 11. 20 According to the illustrated embodiment, each leg assembly 12 is provided with an associated load measurement device 13. Load cells are preferred. Locating or guide bolts are provided in sleeves 30 with the leg assemblies 12 in order to prevent or control lateral excursions of the cage I1 relative to the leg assemblies 12 but to allow reciprocation of the crush cage 11 with a load 25 measuring device 13 therebetween. In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an 30 embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all 10 referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be 5 understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. 10

Claims (17)

1. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly including: a crush cage, a plurality of leg assemblies for mounting the crush cage thereto, and a plurality of load measuring devices, each load measuring device located between the crush cage and one of the leg assemblies, wherein each load measuring device is located laterally outside the crush cage.

2. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the leg assemblies are mounted to the sides of the crush cage in a lower region of the crush cage.

3. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the crush cage is formed from a structural or support framework defined by number of members which together form a cage about the animal.

4. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the members forming the crush cage, at either end of the crush cage is provided with a mounting bracket.

5. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein each mounting bracket includes a lateral extension extending sideways from the member.

6. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein a mounting plate is mounted to the member of the crush cage with the lateral extension extending substantially perpendicularly thereto.

7. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least a pair of angled bracing members are provided between the mounting plate and the lateral extension in order to brace the position of the lateral extension.

8. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the leg assemblies is provided with a mounting plate in order to mount the leg assemblies to the floor or ground surface.

9. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein an elongate riser is provided extending upwardly from each mounting plate.

10. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the elongate riser is braced into orientation in more than one direction.

11. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in either one of claims 9 or 11 wherein a load measurement device mounting portion is provided at or adjacent an upper end of the elongate riser. 12

12. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each leg assembly is configured such that a substantially planar surface is presented on the side of the leg assembly adjacent the crush cage.

13. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, each leg assembly is located outside the periphery of the crush cage so that the crush cage is located in a substantially rectangular area defined between the respective leg assemblies.

14. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each leg assembly is provided with an associated load measurement device.

15. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more locating or guide bolts are provided in association with the leg assemblies in order to prevent or control lateral excursions of the cage relative to the leg assemblies but to allow reciprocation of the crush cage with a load measuring device therebetween.

16. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the crush cage is supported over an opening or above the ground such that when an animal is in the crush cage, the lowermost portion of the crush cage is unrestricted in movement downwardly in order to gain an accurate weight of the animal.

17. A side mounted animal crush weighing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more emergency stop means is provided to prevent the crush cage moving beyond a predetermined limit.