AU2016210624B2 - Automated sheep organiser system - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal race system10) is rovidedf cntroina the movement of animals.. such as sheepoahanding device. The system) has a rae assemny (12) rouhwhich anima are directedtomove one at atimeto the handling deviceThe system (10)alsohasat leastonenonretumpate(14 connected to the race assmb>y2)focuingthe nmovein one iretontherethrougThe nonretm g110 4i e a haCKbar(23) rotataiy connected at a first end(32)theveft apivotshaftnavingan Mso frotaton (34 whvhis anguarly confuredtoblsthe pivtlmotion of the hockbar 2so that the hok bar (28) asses apayopenpositin at rest under its oneight, i that patypenpsihon:.thehockbar(28) extendssuiienty acrossthe race assembl.y2 to prevent themoveentof anyeam ana arwar direction but tow the movement of that animal ina forwarddirectionwhentheanimalpushesforwardagainsttheok bar (28in the partlyopen posin 4t 30. .. . ... ..N ........ .~ .. - N-- 4124 ..............

Description

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AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT WEBB, Chades Gordon

INVENTOR: WEBBCharles Gordon

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 60 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

INVENTION TITLE: AUTOMATED SHEEP ORGANISER SYSTEM

DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED AU 2016 900 691 - 26 February 2016 APPLICATION NO:

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known tome

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TECHNICAL HELD The present invention relates to animal handling and, in particular, to an

animal race system used for various animal husbandry purposes. The invention has particular application in directing the movement of livestock, such

as sheep, goats and pigs, in a controlled manner to an animal handling device. BACKGROUNDART

Animal handling devices, also referred to as animal handling stations,

are often used in animal husbandry for inspection and treatment of animals.

For livestock, such as sheep, it is known to use restraint devices to manipulate and restrict the position of livestock for operations such as drenching and crutching. These devices normally involve the use of a clamp that holds the

animain such a way that the animal can be handled with ease. These devices can be permanent fixtures of such structuresas stock yards, pens and are

commonlyconnected toraces. A race isa a structure inastock yardwhich is formed as a narrow passage or enclosure through which livestock move individually towardsthe handling device.

A disadvantage of most known handling devices is that the flow of livestock entering them is not continuous or at a consistent rate, and that, when

races have been used in an attempt to control the movementof livestock to the handling device, the races have been ineffective inachieving an optimal rate of

livestock flow into the handling device.

To overcome thisproblem an effective race is required. Idealy, to be most effective, the race should cooperatewith a forcing pen that forces the

livestock toenter the race one after the other. SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, or at

02/08/16 least provide a useful aternative According to the present inventionthere is provided an animal race system for controlling the movement of animals to a handling device, the system comprising: (a) a raceassembly through which animals are directedto move one at a time to the handling device, (b) at least one non-retum gate means connected to the race assembly for causing the animals to move in one direction therethrough, the or each non-return gate means comprising a hock bar rotatably connected at a first end thereof to a pivot shaft having an axis of rotation which is angularly configured to bias the pivotal motion of the hock bar so that the hock bar assumes a partly open position at rest under its own weight where it extends sufficiently across the race assembly to prevent the movement of any one animal in a rearward direction, but to allow the movement of that animal in a forward direction when the animal pushes forward against the hock bar in the partly open position Preferably, a secondend of the hock bar, which is opposite the first end, is at a height at which it pushes against at least one rear leg of the animal to cause sufficient discomfort to the animal that it will move in a forward direction. The race assembly may comprise one or more races. In a preferred embodiment, the race assembly comprises two races which share a sidewall between respective outer sidewalls. In another preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a forcing pen connected to an entrance to the race assembly.

02108/16

Preferably, the partly open positionof the hockbarislimitedbyachain

which has one end connected to the hock bar and anotherend connected to the race assembly.

The chain may be length adjustable to enable adjustment of the extent to which the hock bar can extend across the race assembly,

In a preferred embodiment, the middle sidewall comprises a plurality of length adjustable intermediate barrier structures of a lower height than that of

the outer sidewalls, each intermediate barrier structure comprising two barrier

portions which are telescopically extendible and retractable horizontally from each other.

In another preferred embodiment, the race assembly is configured in a curved direction and hasits outer sidewalls at a first concave side and at a

second convex side, the outersidewalls at both sides comprising apluralityof

sheet panels, at least one of the sheet panels being length adjustable. It is preferred that the or each length adjustable sheet panel comprises two panel portions which can slide alongside each other to adjust the length of the sheet panel. It is also preferred that the race assembly furthercomprisesajoining

section which has a length adjustable bottom frame structure and two posts connected to respective opposite ends of the bottom frame structure, each of the outer sidewalls being mounted to a respective post, and the middle sidewall

being mounted at the middle of the bottom frame structure, whereby adjusting the length of the bottom frame structure adjusts the width of each of the two races. Preferably, there is an upright rod at the middle of the length adjustable bottom frame structure, and each length adjustable intermediate barrier structure has a hollow upright post which can slide over the upright rod to

02/08/16 mount the intermediate barrier structure at themiddle of the bottom frame structure.

The upright rod is preferably mounted to the top of a hollow mounting bracket through which can slide opposed legs of the bottom frame structure. SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into

practical effect, reference willnow be made to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an animal race system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention when connected to a forcing pen for sheep,

Figure 2 is a side view of a preferred non-return gate means used in the animal race system of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view of a back gate assemblyof theforcing pen shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side viewof an access gateassembly of a stock yard and a connected inner panel of the forcing pen shown in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a slightly elevated side view of a sheep race system according to another preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6 is a side view of a preferred joining section for panels ofthe forcing pen used in the animal race system of Figure 1, Figure 7 is a sideview of apreferredjoining section for panels and intermediate barrierstructuresofthe race assembly used in theanimal race

system of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the animal race system shown in Figure 1 showing a sheep moving through a race to which a preferred arrangement of non-return gate means is connected, and showing two of the non-return gate means ahead and behind the sheep in a partly open position

02108/16 and one of the non-returngate means in a fullyopen position after being pushed forward by the sheep, Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of the animal racesystem shown in

Figure 1 showing a pair of sheep moving through a race to which another preferred arrangement of non-return gatemeans is connected, and showing a

non-returgatemeansina positionwhere itshock bar presses against the rear

leg of the rearward sheep, and

Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of the animal race system shown in Figure 1 showing a sheep moving through a race to which a non-return gate means is connected and showing the sheep moving rearwardly towards the

non-returngate meansto cause its hock bar to press against the rear leg ofthe

sheep. DET-AILED DESCRIPTION OFTHE INVENTION

The anirnal race system 10 shown in Figures I to 10 essentially comprises a race assembly 12 and a plurality of non-return gate means 14 connected to the race assembly 12. The race assembly 12 is formed, in this

instance, of two races 16 18 which share a middle sidewall 20 and have

respective outer sidewalls 22, 24.

The animal racesystem 10 is usedfor controling the movement of animals, such as sheep 26, from,say, a forcing pen or other animal holding

area toahandling device (not shown). Each race 16, 18 of the race assembly 12, directs animals to move therethrough one at a time to the handling device,

and each non-return gate means 14 causes the animals to move in one

direction through each race16, 18. Each non-return gate means 14 (as shown in detail in Figure 2) essentially comprises a hock bar 28 and a pivot shaft 30 to which a first pivot end 32 of the hockbar28 is rotatablyconnected. Thepivotshaft 30hasan

02/08/16 axis of rotation34whichis angularly configured to bias the pivotal motion ofthe hock bar 28 so that the hock bar 28 assumes a partly open position (as shown in Figure 1). The partly open positions the position assumed by the hock bar

28 when it is at rest under its own weight and where it extends sufficiently

across the respective race 16, 18 to prevent the movement of any one animal in a rearward direction. An animal can, however, be allowed to move in a forward direction when the animal pushes forward against the hock bar 28 in a

partly openpostion. The prevention ofthe rearward movement of the animalssuitably achieved, in this embodimentby having a second or opposite free end 36 of the hock bar 28 at a height at which it pushes against at least one rear leg (or

against the hock) of the animal. The free end 36 of the hock bar 28 may be

covered with a rubber material 37 to protect the animal against bruising or other

injury. There will, however, be sufficient discomfort experienced by the animal that it will move in a forward direction.

A forcing pen 38 is, in this preferred embodiment, connected to a respective entrance 40, 42to each race 16, 18, respectively.

The invention will hereinafter be described in greater particularity with

reference to its use with sheep, As shown in Figure 1, the forcing pen 38, which is a holding area within

a sheep yard for the sheep which are to pass through the race assembly 12, has two mesh outer panels 44, 46, two sheet inner panels 48, 50 and a back

gate assembly 118. Each mesh outer panel 44, 46 is of a suitable construction to provide the sheep with enough transparency to the outside of the yard so that they do not feel confined, thus helping them to move smoothly to the entrance 40, 42 to each race 16, 18, respectively. One of the mesh outer panels 44, 46 includes a dog hole to enable a sheep dog, but not any sheep, to

02/08/16 pass safelytherethrough. Each sheet inner panel 48, 50 is of a suitable construction to prevent sheep looking at the inside of the yard or at the handling device so that they do not become nervous or scared. One of the sheet inner panels 48. 50 includes a dog hole 49 (asshown in Figure 4).

The back gateassembly 118 (as shown in detail in Figure 3) has a frame structure 120 and a back gate 122 rotatably connected or hinged to either side

of the frame structure 120 to suit requirements.

The back gate 122, through which the sheep enter the forcing pen38,

can be swung open or closed to either the inside orthe outside ofthe forcing pen, or may be swung open or closed to only onside of the forcingpen The

back gate 118 may be held closed with a chain and latch or catch arrangement 124. The back gate 122 is of a suitable construction to withstand the impacts it

will receive in opening and closing, and when otherwise in use.

An access gate assembly 51 (as shown in detail in Figure 4) is connected to the sheet outer panel 48 of the forcing pen 38, and has a frame

structure52andanaccessgate 53 rotatably connected to one side of the frame structure 52.

The access gate 53, through which a person operating theanimal feed system 10 may enter the yard before entering the forcing pen 38, can be swung open or closed to either the insider theoutside of the yard or may be swung open or closedto only one side of the yard. If required, the access gate 53

may be held closed with a chain and latch or catch arrangement. The swing

action of the access gate 53 is spring loaded for ease of access and security, and so the access gate 53 will automatically close behind the operator. When the access gate 53 is such that it may be swung open or closed to only one side of the yard, the access gate 53 can be held closed by the action of a

spring 54 and by the obstruction to further swingingmotion to the other side of

02108/16 the yard provided by a steel backing plate 56 mounted to the frame structure 52 and againstwhichthe accessgate 53will abut when closed. Theaccessgate

53 is of a suitable construction towithstand the impacts itwil receive in

openingand closing, and when otherwise in use. The framestructure to which the back gate 122 and the access gate 53 are rotatablyconnected may be in the form of a joining section 58 (asshown in Figure 6) The joining section 58 is also used as the frame structure of the

panels 44, 46, 48, 50 of the forcing pen 38. Each joining section 58 has a

bottom frame member 60 and twouprght frame members or posts 62, 64 connected at respective opposite ends of the bottom frame member 60. There are tubular brackets 66 mounted to the posts 62, 64 for receiving therethrough

individual mounting pins of any panel 44, 46, 48, 50 or, if required, of the back

gate 122 or the access gate 53.

As shown in Figure 1, the race assembly 12 is so configured in a curved direction to have a concave or near side 68 and a convex or far side 70. The

near side 68 is defined by the outer sidewall 22, and the far side 70 is defined by the outer sidewall 24. A plurality of length adjustable near sheet panels 72

form the outer sidewall22 at the near side 68, and a plurality of far sheet panels 74, only two of which are length adjustable,form the outer sidewall 24 at the far side 70.

The middle sidewall 20 between the twoouter sidewalks 22, 24 is (as shown in Figure 5) formed by a plurality oflength adjustable intermediate

barrier structures 76 of a lower height than that of the panels 72, 74. Each

intermediate barrier structure 76 comprises two barrier portions 86, 88 which are telescopically extendible and retractable horizontally from each other.

Each near sheet panel 72 comprises two panel portions 78, 80 which can slide alongside each other to adjust the length of the panel 72. For the

02/08/16 concave or near side 68 of the race assembly 12, each panel 72 needs to be reducedinlength.Theadjusted length of each panel 72 is maintained by a pre-dilled holles and pin arrangement. A first panel 74aand a last panel 74b of the far sheet panels 74 each comprise two panel portions 82, 84 which can slide alongside each other to adjust the length of the panels. The other far sheet panels 74 are not length adjustable.

Length adjustability of the components of the race assembly 12 allows the race assembly 12 tobeconfigured in such ways as to suit specific requirements of use or conditions of a yard.

The near sheet panel 72, far sheet panel 74 and intermediate barrier structures 76 are all supported by a joining section 90 (as shown in Figure 7). Each joining section 90 has a length adjustable bottom frame structure 92 and

two upright frame members or posts 94, 96 connected to respective opposite ends of the length adjustable bottom frame structure 92. The bottom frame

structure 92 comprises opposed legs 98, 100, each of which can slide telescopically through a hollow mounting bracket 102, to the top of which is mounted an upright rod 104. The adjusted length of the bottom frame structure

92 is maintained by a pre-drilled holes and pin arrangement. There are tubular brackets 106 mounted to the posts 94, 96 for receiving therethrough individual mounting pins of any panel 72, 74. Each length adjustable intermediate barrier structure 76 has a hollow upright post 108 which can slide over the upright rod 104 to mount theintermediate barrier structure 76 to the middle of thejoining

section 90.

By adjusting the length of the bottom frame structure 92 of the joining section 90 to which panels 72, 74 and intermediate barrier structures 76 are

02108/16 mounted, the width of the races16, 18 can be adjusted tosuitsheepof differing sizes.

As described earlier, the animal race system 10 of the present invention has a plurality of non-return gate means 14 connected to a race assembly 12

formed of two races 16, 18. Most of the plurality of non-return gate means 14

are (as shown in Figure 1) connected to both sides of the shared middle sidewall 20 formed of the intermediate barrier structures 76, but twoofthem

14a, 14b, are connected to theouter sidewalls 22, 24 formed of panels 72, 74

atarespective exit110,112 to each race16, 18 respectively. There are also other ways in whichthe non-retur gate means 14 may be connected to the race assembly 12. This may involve the non-return gate

means, rather than being permanently secured to panels or intermediate barrier structures, being removably connected thereto. By having portable and attachable non-return gatemeans, an operatormay arrange to construct an animalracesysteminmanydifferentways.

The extent to which the hock bar 28 can extend across the respective race 16, 18 is limited by a chain 114. One end of the chain 114 isconnectedto

the hock bar 28 at a position nearer to its free end 36 than to its pivot end 32,

and the other end of the chain 114 is connected to an intermediate barrier structure 76, or to a panel 72, 74, to which the pivot shaft 30 for the hock bar 28

is mounted. The chain 114 is adjustable in length to allow for adjustment of the extent to which the hock bar 28 can extend across the respective race 16, 18.

As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, when a sheep 26 pushes forward against the hock bar 28a in the partly open position, thehock bar28a swings to

a fully open position to allow the sheep to move past it. As the sheep 26

passes the hock bar 28a, the hock bar 28a tends to swing back under itsown weight until the sheep has moved fully past it, whereupon the hock bar is again

02/08/16 in the partly open position where it is at rest (see, for exaple,the hockbar

28b). Any rearward movement by the sheep 26 will be prevented in the

manner described earlier. Not only will the free end 36 of the hock bar 28a

push against at least one rear leg (or the hock) of the sheep 26, but the chain 114 will also cause discomfort. Any rearward push by the sheep 26 against the chain 114 will tend to bring the two ends of the chain closer, thus causing the

hock bar 28a to swing towards the intermediate barrier structure 76 or the

panel 72, thereby squeezing a leg of the sheep between the intermediate barrier structure 76 or the panel 72 and the hock bar 28a and so increasing the

level of discomfort experienced by the sheep 26.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made indetails ofidesign and construction of the animal

race system described above without departing fromthe scope or ambit of the invention.

02/08116

Claims (10)

1. An animal race system for controlling the movement of sheep to a handling device, the system comprising: (a) a race assembly through which the sheep are directed to move one at a time to the handling device; and (b) at least one non-return gate means connected to the race assembly for causing the sheep to move in one direction therethrough, the or each non-return gate means comprising a hock bar rotatably connected at a first pivot end thereof to a pivot shaft having an axis of rotation which is angularly configured to bias the pivotal motion of the hock bar so that the hock bar assumes a partly open position at rest under its own weight where it extends sufficiently across the race assembly to prevent the movement of any one sheep in a rearward direction, but to allow the movement of that sheep in a forward direction when the sheep pushes forward against the hock bar in the partly open position; wherein (i) a second free end of the hock bar, which is opposite the first pivot end, is at a height at which it pushes against a rear leg of the sheep to cause sufficient discomfort to the sheep that it will move in a forward direction; (ii) the partly open position of the hock bar is limited by a flexible line which has one end connected to the hock bar nearer to its second free end than to its first pivot end, and has another end connected to the race assembly; and (iii) the flexible line is length adjustable to enable adjustment of the extent to which the hock bar can extend across the race assembly; whereby any rearward push by the sheep against the flexible line will bring the two ends of the flexible line closer, thereby causing the hock bar to swing towards the race assembly and squeezing a rear leg of the sheep between the race assembly and the hock bar.

2. The animal race system of claim 1, wherein the flexible line is a chain.

3. The animal race system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the race assembly comprises two races which share a middle sidewall between respective outer sidewalls.

4. The animal race system of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the system further comprises a forcing pen connected to an entrance to the race assembly.

5. The animal race system of claim 3, wherein the middle sidewall comprises a plurality of length adjustable intermediate barrier structures of a lower height than that of the outer sidewalls, each intermediate barrier structure comprising two barrier portions which are telescopically extendible and retractable horizontally from each other.

6. The animal race system of claim 5, wherein the race assembly is configured in a curved direction and has its outer sidewalls at a first concave side and at a second convex side, the outer sidewalls at both sides comprising a plurality of sheet panels, at least one of the sheet panels being length adjustable.

7. The animal race system of claim 6, wherein the or each length adjustable sheet panel comprises two panel portions which can slide alongside each other to adjust the length of the sheet panel.

8. The animal race system of claim 5, wherein the race assembly further comprises a joining section which has a length adjustable bottom frame structure and two posts connected to respective opposite ends of the bottom frame structure, each of the outer sidewalls being mounted to a respective post, and the middle sidewall being mounted at the middle of the bottom frame structure, whereby adjusting the length of the bottom frame structure adjusts the width of each of the two races.

9. The animal race system of claim 8, wherein there is an upright rod at the middle of the length adjustable bottom frame structure, and each length adjustable intermediate barrier structure has a hollow upright post which can slide over the upright rod to mount the intermediate barrier structure at the middle of the bottom frame structure.

10. The animal race system of claim 9, wherein the upright rod is mounted to the top of a hollow mounting bracket through which can slide opposed legs of the bottom frame structure.