AU2021211995A1

AU2021211995A1 - Animal handling device and related methods of use

Info

Publication number: AU2021211995A1
Application number: AU2021211995A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Mark Blampied
Original assignee: TE PARI PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: TE PARI PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-09
Filing date: 2021-08-03
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: GB2599222A; GB202112200D0

Abstract

An animal handling device and method if use is described that comprises a securing system located about the animal neck region when an animal is secured in the animal handler. In one aspect, an animal handling device comprises a neck region securing device; a head securing region; optionally, a body securing portion, and the neck region securing device is configured to secure the neck or a portion thereof of an animal in the animal handling device. In a further aspect, a method is described where an animal is secured about the neck of the animal by actuating the neck region securing device. The device and method removes or reduces risk of movement of the animal during handling operations. 13 I va FIGURE 6 6/12

Description

I va

FIGURE 6

6/12

ANIMAL HANDLING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS OF USE TECHNICAL FIELD

Broadly described herein is an animal handling device and related methods of use. More

specifically, an animal handling device is described that comprises a securing system located

about the animal neck region when an animal is secured in the animal handler. Use of the

animal handling device is also described.

BACKGROUND

Animal handling devices are widely used in farming. Animals such as livestock are not used to being handled and as such need to be safely secured at times, for example, when applying

medication, checking stock weight or marking stock.

Typically animal handlers have a rectangular shape with opposing side walls and entry and exit

ends. An animal moves between opposing side walls through the entry and is held in place

prior to exiting, for example, via a head bail to secure the head of the animal and/or via a

moving side wall to secure the body of the animal.

There may be a neck region between the head and body of the animal that is not directly

secured. This neck region may be important to access, for example, to administer medication

via injection or to mark the animal in some manner. Securing of this neck region of the animal

may be important to add another layer of securement to the animal to avoid harm to the

animal or handler during animal management.

As may be appreciated, it may be useful to provide a device and method of use that secures

the animal in a region between the animal head and body or at least to provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the animal handling device and related methods of use will

become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

An animal handling device is described that comprises a securing system located about the

animal neck region when an animal is secured in the animal handler. Use of the animal

handling device to secure the neck of an animal is also described.

In a first aspect, there is provided an animal handling device comprising:

a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

wherein the neck region securing device is configured to secure the neck or a portion

thereof of an animal in the animal handling device.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method of securing the neck of an animal, the methods

comprising the steps of:

providing an animal handling device comprising a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

wherein the neck region securing device is configured to secure the neck or a

portion thereof of an animal in the animal handling device;

allowing an animal to enter the animal handling device;

securing the animal at least about the head securing region; and

securing the neck of the animal by actuating the neck region securing device, which

bears on a point of the animal between or on the head and shoulders and which in doing so

temporarily secures the neck of the animal until the neck region securing device is released.

Advantages of the above device and method includes removal of risk of movement of the

animal during handling operations particularly about the neck of the animal. This may be of

particular benefit for both animal and operator safety when administering medication or

supplementation to the animal, particularly by injection routes but also by other means as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

handling device to secure the neck of an animal is also described.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical

variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage,

dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7,

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage,

dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for

example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.

The term 'comprise' and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e.

that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly

references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

Reference is made hereafter to the region between the animal head and body being the 'neck

region' for ease of description. However, it should be appreciated that this part of an animal

may incorporate part of the head, part of the body or only a part of the neck and not all of the neck region. Unless otherwise specified, the term neck region further refers to the neck side or

sides of the animal.

Reference is also made hereafter to delivery of medicament via injection to the neck region of

the held animal for ease of description. The medicament mode of delivery may be via non

parenteral methods as well e.g. topically applied medicaments. Reference to injection as the

mode of delivery should not be seen as limiting.

Further, the animal referred to herein is cattle or cows for ease of reference. The animal

handler described may be used for a wide variety of farmed livestock animals such as those

from the wider bovine genus as well as those from the genus cervine, porcine, ovine and other

farmed animals e.g. horses, alpaca, llama, bison and so on. The device may be better suited for

larger animals or those with a longer neck region however, this is not a requirement and

smaller animals are encompassed herein as well.

Animal Handling Device

In a first aspect, there is provided an animal handling device comprising:

a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

thereof of an animal in the animal handling device.

General Shape

The animal handling device comprises sides, an entry and an exit. The animal handling device

is configured so that in use, an animal walks forwards head first through the entry towards the

exit and, before exiting, the head securing region and/or neck securing region and/or body

securing portion if present bears on the animal preventing animal movement forwards or

rearwards through the animal handling device.

The neck region securing device may be located about the neck region of an animal when an

animal is located in the animal handling device.

The entry is located at one end of the animal handling device. The walls are spaced apart

slightly wider than the designed for widest animal width. The exit may be at the opposing end of the device to the entry. The walls may be substantially straight and with a length around 1

to 2 times the length of the animal to be secured and handled. The animal handling device

height (or at least the wall height) may be 1 to 2 times the height of the animal to be secured

and handled.

Body Securing Portion

The optional body securing region may comprise a moving wall or pivoting side that bears

against the side (or sides) of an animal body and in doing so halts animal body movement.

Head Securing Portion

The head securing portion comprises a head bail. The head bail may comprise two opposing

side gates with a yoke portion that bear generally against the animal head or upper neck region

and in doing so, prevents head movement of an animal.

Neck Region

The neck region of the animal handling device may be located between the head securing

portion and a body portion of the animal handling device. The neck region of the animal

handling device may correspond in position to where an animal neck is located when an animal

head is secured in the animal handling device.

Gates

The neck region securing device may comprise opposing gates.

The gates may take the form of elongated tubes with a smooth outward surface.

The gates may rotate about a vertical axis from an open position to a closed position

configured to be about a point where at least part of the gate surface bears on an animal in the

animal handling device.

Open may refer to the gates being in a position generally in-line or coincident with the animal

handling device walls.

The outward surface of the gates may rotate about a vertical axis located on a rotating beam

from the open position where the gates are generally in-line or coincident with the animal handle device walls.

Rotation may be to a position configured to be about a point where at least part of the gate

smooth outward surface bears on an animal in the animal handling device about the animal

neck region.

The gate(s) may be configured to bear on the base of the animal neck and/or beginning of the

animal body e.g. about the animal shoulders.

The gates may be designed to move through to a fully closed position with the gates located at

an angle orthogonal to the animal handling device wall sides in the absence of an animal and,

to partly close when an animal is present. The extent of closure may depend on the animal

width and exact location that the gate(s) bear on the animal.

Linkage

The neck region securing device may comprise a mechanical linkage system where the gates are actuated by rotating a lever. The lever may be located on one side of the animal handling

device.

Actuation may be electronically, wirelessly or by other mechanical means. Reference to a lever

should not be seen as limiting.

The lever may be located generally towards the top of the animal handling device and may be

distant to any moving parts.

When the lever is rotated, the gates may close or open depending on the direction of lever

rotation.

Lever movement may cause rotation of a rotating bar linked to handle, which in turn moves a

primary pivot link and a carriage along a guide rail and a secondary pivot link may then rotate a

rotating bar and hence the gates attached to the rotating bar from a gate open position to a

gate closed position and back again when the lever is returned to a start position.

Neck Region Opening

About the neck region of the animal handling device are openings to allow operator access to the animal neck. The openings may be on the side or sides of the animal handling device. The opening may also be a relatively open space above the neck region. On the sides of the device, when the gates of the neck region securing device are closed, the opening may extend from the animal feet to a point above the highest extremity of the animal.

Method of Use

comprising the steps of:

providing an animal handling device comprising a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

wherein the neck region securing device is configured to secure the neck or a

portion thereof of an animal in the animal handling device;

allowing an animal to enter the animal handling device;

securing the animal at least about the head securing region; and

Advantages of the above device and method includes removal, or at least minimisation, of risk

of movement of the animal during handling operations, particularly about the neck of the

animal. This may be of benefit for both animal and handler safety when administering medication or supplementation to the animal, particularly by injection routes but also by other means as well.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements

and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or

collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art

to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated

herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Further aspects of the animal handling device and related methods of use will become

apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with

reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of an assembled animal handling device

incorporating an embodiment of the neck region securing device;

Figure 2 shows a detail perspective view of region L shown in Figure 1 of the assembled animal

handling device;

Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the assembled animal handling device;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the assembled animal handling device;

Figure 5 shows a detail front view of region M shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the assembled

animal handling device;

Figure 6 shows the side elevation view of Figure 3 with an animal drawn as a cow in the animal

handler, the neck region securing device engaged against the animal (solid lines) and in a non engaged position (dashed lines);

Figure 7 shows the plan view of Figure 4 with an animal in the animal handler, the neck region

securing device engaged against the animal (solid lines) and in a non-engaged position (dashed

lines);

Figure 8 shows a detail plan view of region N of Figure 6 and Figure 7, the neck region securing

device engaged against the animal (solid lines) and in a non-engaged position (dashed lines);

Figure 9 shows a detail perspective view of the neck region securing device in a non-engaged or

open position;

Figure 10 shows a detail perspective view of region G in Figure 9 of the neck region securing

device in a non-engaged or open position;

Figure 11 shows a detail perspective view of the neck region securing device in an engaged or

closed position; and

Figure 12 shows a detail perspective view of region H in Figure 11 of the neck region securing

device in an engaged or closed position.

WORKING EXAMPLE

The above described animal handling device and related methods of use are now described by

reference to a specific example.

Figures 1-12 illustrate one embodiment of the animal handling device, generally shown by

arrow 1. The device comprises a neck region shown by arrow 2, a neck region securing device

generally shown by arrow 3, a head securing region 8 and a body securing portion 9. At one

end may be an entry 10 to the device 1.

The body securing region 9 may comprise an art animal handler such as a moving wall or

pivoting side that bears against the side (or sides) of an animal body 7 and in doing so halts

animal body movement. This is not always present but may be used.

The head securing portion 8 may comprise an art head bail such as two opposing side gates

with a yoke portion that bear generally against the animal head or upper neck region and in

doing so, prevents head movement of an animal.

Behind the head securing portion 8 is a neck region 2 in the handler corresponding in position

to where an animal 4 neck 6 might be located when an animal 4 head 5 is secured in the animal

handling device 1. As may be appreciated, accessing the neck 6 may be important for administration of medicament for example by injection to the animal 4. The neck 6 of an

animal 4 in the animal handing device 1 when secured by the head securing portion 8 and/or

the body securing portion 9 may not be secure and hence the animal 4 restrained in the device

1 may still be able to move at least to some extent. Movement and a desire to escape the

device is a natural instinctive movement by the animal 4. Even a trained animal 4 to a handling

device 1 may still be inclined to move when in the device when startled by movement about

the device 1for example by a farmer or vet. Secure restraining of the animal 4 in an animal

handling device 1 may however by very important to prevent injury to the animal 4 and people

(not shown) or their equipment working about the device 1. A particular problem in terms of injections is so-called 'needle stick' where the animal 4 moves around the moment of injection and the operator (not shown) ends up injecting their hand as opposed to the animal 4. The other issue that can arise is sudden movement by the animal 4 (often with considerable force) causing the needle to be inserted deeply into the neck and/or the needle broken from the applicator and the needle becoming embedded partly or fully in the neck 6 of the animal 4. A device and method that further secures the neck region 2 may therefore be useful to at least prevent needle injuries to the operator and/or animal 4. A secure animal 4 neck 6 may also ease the application of other treatments like application of markings, topical treatments and so on.

Referring specifically to Figures 8-12 one embodiment of the actual neck region securing device 3 is shown in more detail. The device 3 may comprise opposing gates 13. The gates 13 may

take the form of elongated tubes 13d with a smooth outward surface 13c. The outward

surface 13c of the gates 13 rotate about a vertical axis located on a rotating beam 23 from an

open position where the gates 13 are generally in-line with the animal handle device 1 walls to

a position where at least part of the gate 13 smooth outward surface 13c bears on the animal

4, usually about the base of the animal 4 neck 6 or beginning of the animal 4 body 7. This

bearing on position against the animal 4 is best shown in Figure 8. Figure 11 illustrates how the

gates 13 may be designed to move through to a fully closed position with the gates 13 located

at an angle orthogonal to the animal handling device 1 wall sides. This may be seen as an over

centre position relative to the animal 4 so that, when an animal 4 is present, the animal 4 neck

6 or beginning of the body 7 lies at a position where the gates 13 are part open. In this manner

various sized animals 4 may be catered for and the gates 13 will always bear on at least part of

the animal 4.

The neck region securing device 3 may comprise a mechanical linkage system as shown in the

Figures although electronic or other actuated mechanisms could be used. In the embodiment

shown, the neck region securing device 3 is actuated by rotating a lever 11, the lever 11 being

located on one side of the handling device 1, in the embodiment shown, generally towards the

top of the device 1 and distant to any moving parts for operator safety. When the lever 11is

rotated, in the embodiment shown, by approximately 90 degrees, the gates 13 close. Lever 11

movement causes rotation of a rotating bar 18 linked to handle 11, which in turn moves a

primary pivot link 19 and a carriage 20 along a guide rail 21 and a secondary pivot link 22 then

rotates a rotating bar 23 and hence the gates 13 attached to the rotating bar 23 from a gate 13

open position 13b to a gate closed position 13a and back again when the lever 11is returned to

a start position.

In use, the neck of an animal 4 may be secured as follows by:

providing an animal handling device 1 as described above;

allowing an animal 4 to enter the animal handling device 1 via the entry 10;

securing the animal 4 at least about the head securing region 8; and

securing the neck 6 of the animal 4 by actuating the neck region securing device 3, which rotates the gates 13 to a point where the outside of the gates 13c bears on a point of the

animal 4 between or on the animal head and shoulders and which in doing so temporarily

secures the neck 6 of the animal 4 until the neck region securing device 3 is released e.g. by

reverse rotation of the lever 11.

Aspects of the animal handling device and methods of use have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made

thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An animal handling device comprising:

a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

thereof of an animal in the animal handling device.

2. The animal handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the animal handling device comprises

sides, an entry and an exit, configured so that, in use, an animal walks forwards head first through

the entry towards the exit and, before exiting, the head securing region and/or neck securing region

and/or body securing portion, if present, bears on the animal preventing animal movement forwards

or rearwards through the animal handling device.

3. The animal handling device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the head securing portion

comprises a head bail.

4. The animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the neck region of

the animal handling device is located between the head securing portion and a body portion of the

animal handling device.

5. The animal handling device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the neck region of the

animal handling device corresponds in position to where an animal neck is located when an animal

head is secured in the animal handling device.

6. The animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the neck region

securing device comprises opposing gates.

7. The animal handling device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the gates rotate about a vertical axis from an open position where the gates are generally in-line or coincident with the animal handling

device walls to a position configured to be about a point where at least part of the gate smooth

outward surface bears on an animal in the animal handling device.

8. The animal handling device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the gates are configured to

bear on a point or points between the base of the animal neck and beginning of the animal body

about the animal shoulders.

9. The animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein, about the neck region of the animal handling device are openings to allow operator access to an animal neck when an animal is secured by the neck region securing device.

10. The animal handling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the openings are on the side or sides of the animal handling device.

11. A method of securing the neck of an animal, the methods comprising the steps of:

providing an animal handling device comprising a neck region securing device;

a head securing region;

optionally, a body securing portion, and

wherein the neck region securing device is configured to secure the neck or a

portion thereof of an animal in the animal handling device;

allowing an animal to enter the animal handling device;

securing the animal at least about the head securing region; and

securing the neck of the animal by actuating the neck region securing device, which bears on

a point of the animal between or on the head and shoulders and which in doing so temporarily

secures the neck of the animal until the neck region securing device is released.