AU671756B2 - Gate assembly - Google Patents

Description

PA'100I IeltlonIitw 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 4* 4

V

*4 4 4 *64* 4* 4*4* *4 44 4* 4* 49 4 *4*4 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

*464 444* 4*44 4 44*4 '44.

4 4444 '4 I 4*44 4 *4 Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: JInvenitioni Title: TO BE COMPLE TED BY APPLICANT PENDULUM DAIRY GATES PTY LTD Owen Maxwell Larsen and Janlet Rose Larsen CALLINAN LAWRIE, 278 High Street, Kew, 3101, Victoria, Australia GATE ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including thle best mnethod of performing it known to mne:- 1- I- Y I- II l-u~0 This invention relates to milking sheds and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to mechanisms for controlling the movement of cows in milking sheds.

In our early Australian Patents Nos 547204, 534372 and 559348; as well as PCT/AU92/00335, there are described and illustrated various gates and the like for the controlling of access to and departure from milking sheds by cows. It is most desired to control the access to and departure from the milking shed by the cows so that the dairy farmer can more easily control their movement so that he is able to control the rate of access and therefore his speed of work. However, there is no known Of mechanism for the controlling of the cows within the shed. This can cause certain oe Ow ~problems.

"'Some cows are more timid than others, and others more aggressive. This is 's relevant because the more aggressive cows attempt to bully past the more timid cows to arrive at a milking stall at the earliest possible opportunity so they can have a greater share of the feed waiting there. If not controlled, this can cause a reduction in the milk 15 obtained from the cows, and a significant increase in the excreta which no doubt passes on to the milking shed floor. This increases the work for the farmer as well as his costs for a lower return.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for controlling the movement of cows within a milking shed.

For the above and other objects in mind, the present invention provides a mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed, said mechanism including a plurality of dividers mounted so as to be moveable from a first or raised position whereupon cows can move beneath said dividers, to a second or lower position where said dividers are capable of preventing movement by said cows; said dividers being spaced apart so as to provide milking stalls for said cows; each of said dividers having an outer end, each outer end having pivotally mounted thereto a barrier gate pivotable between a transverse position and a position substantially co-planar with said dividers by movement of a cow into said stall immediately past said divider, each of said barrier gates having at one end thereof a flexible extension to contact the flank of an entering cow.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only and preferred construction of a Smilking shed incorporating the principal features of the present invention. The description is with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a milking shed of the type shown in Australian Patent No. 663881; Figure 2 is an end view of the milking shed of Figure 1 (without the cows) S showing the dividers in the first and second positions; Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of one section of the milking shed of Figure 1 (without the cows); 11:5 Figure 4 is an enlarged end view corresponding to that of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1 but showing the flexible extensions of the present invention fitted; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the barrier gate of Figure .4 Figure 7 is a side view of the barrier gate of Figure 5; and I .Q Figure 8 is an end view of Figure 7.

To refer firstly to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a milking shed in which a number of cows are desired to be located so as to be milked. Access to the milking shed would be as desired but preferably in accordance with one of our earlier mentioned Australian Patents.

The milking shed has a wall 10 to which is mounted all of the control mechanisms, including the dividers 12. Although most milking sheds are designed as -381RA 49B8 NP 26//96JO782S.NP,3 T 1 double sheds being a row on each of the opposite walls it is preferable that a control rail 14 be used so that the distance from the wall 10 to the control, rail 14 is only marginally greater than the length of a normal cow, Naturally there is provided a feed trough 16 mounted to the wall 10, arid a brisket rail 18 also attached to the wall. 10. These are in accordance with normal constructions and are known, The dividers 12 are mounted to the wall 10 by virtue of a hinged connection and are operated by a vacuum ramn 22 acting through a rod 24 pivotally attached to .:'the upper rail 26 of each divider 12. Naturally a vacuum ram 22 may be provided for :0'u'j each divider 12, or they may be operated in sets. This would depend very mtich upon the requirements of the individual milking shed or the farmner concerned.

Each divider 12 has the upper rail 26 and depending therefrom a plurality of vertical rails 28 connecting to a lower rail 30. The sizing of the dividers 12 is such as to make it clear that when in the lower position (see Figures 2 and 4) the divider 12 will prevent movement by a cow other than through the gap between the end of the gate 12 and the rail 14.

As is clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the gate is moveable between a second or oerpsiin n afrs r ase-oi. When in the raised position, it is clear that a cow can pass under the divider 12 to continue movement through the mnilking shed.

At the end of each divider 12 is mounted a barrier gate 32. The barrier gate 32 is pivotally mounted so that it can move from its transverse position as shown in Figure 1 at the left end to an almost co-planar position as is shown in the right end of Figure 1. A small stop 34 is provided on each divider 12 to prevent the barrier gate 32 from moving past the transverse position. In other words, it is moveable only from that position as shown on the left of Figure 1 to that position shown at the right of I I C---L1 r~--r~rrrrrrr~- Figure 1.

The nature of these barrier gates 32 is clearly shown in Figure 3 in that they are in an overlapping relationship, The operation of the system is that if one considers Figure 1 to be the end of the milking shed, the cow marked will proceed into the milking shed from the left and enter the first stall. The first stall will have a divider 12 on its left but not on its right the positioning of the cow being controlled by an exit gate in accordance with one of our earlier mentioned patents. In entering the first stall, the left flank of the e cow will press against the barrier gate 32 and move it to the position shown. This therefore means that access to the second stall is therefore possible as the substantial part of the stall is available to the cow Also, the barrier gate 32 protects the flank of cow Cow would therefore enter the second stall thus moving the barrier gate 32. This would allow cow to gain access to the third stall, and cow to gain access to the fourth stall. Naturally, all of the dividers 12 would be in the lowered position at this time. Once the cows are in position and this may be for the entire side or for only part of the side feed is released into the feed trough 16. The normal procedures resulting in milking can therefore commence.

V"t By adopting this procedure, the cows can only proceed along the milking shed in single file. It only takes the lead cow to be trained to go into the first feeding stall for the entire system to work. There can be no jostling for position or the like due to the single file proceeding. It is advantageous that the cows be introduced in batches and that the stalls particularly the dividers 12 be operated in sets so that the number of milking stalls operated by a single vacuum ram or a number of vacuum rams working simultaneously, is equal to the number of cows. This makes it far easier for the farmer. However, they can be individually controlled if desired.

Once the normal milking operation has been concluded, the exit gate can be raised. The cow would therefore leave the milking shed. At this time the vacuum ram can be operated to raise or attempt to raise the dividers 12. As the barrier gate 32 is pressing against the side of a cow the divider 12 will not raise until the cow moves to leave the milking shed, This would therefore allow the divider 12 between cows and to lift. This would therefore enable cow to leave, As cow leaves, the divider 12 between cow and would therefore be able to lift and therefore this would allow cow to leave. This would naturally proceed through If the set. As can be seen, this means that the cows will leave the milking shed in single file. Again, this results in far less bullying, jostling and the like and therefore the cows are far more contented.

The barrier gates 32 are normally manufactured as a rectangular construction, of tubular metal or the like, They may be planar as long as they have slight overlapping relationship to prevent jamming as the dividers 12 were lowered, or pivotally attached to the dividers 12, and are moveable from a transverse position to a position approximately parallel with the dividers 12.

The construction shown in Figures 5 to 8 varies slightly from that of Fig-ures I through to 4. However, there is still provided a feeding trough 116 and a brisket rail 118. The dividers 112 are basically the same and the mechanism is mounted to the wall 110. The barrier gates 132 operate in a very similar manner but they are of slightly different construction. As is clear from Figure 5, rather than being a rectangular construction, they are of rectangular construction (as is similar to Figures 1 to 4) with an additional projecting member 136 projecting transversely therefrom.

This is so that the gate 132 will more closely follow the flank of a cow proceeding into a milking stall to make sure that the barrier gates 132 fully swing to the approximately co-planar position and to thus allow a cow to more easily enter the adjacent stall.. They also allow for different size cows due to their flexibility, In this regard it is to be noted -6that the gates 132 are not co-planar as is clear from Figure 5. In addition, the stops 134 are of slightly different construction, as is clear from Figure 5. This is to ensure that the gates 132 do not swing past the transverse position as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to prevent one gate 132 jamming on top of an adjacent gate 132 as the dividers 112 are lowered. Also, it is to be noted that there is now no overlap of the gates 132 as is clear from Figure 5, and there is a gap between them.

It is to be noted that the dividers 112 are angled to allow cows easier access to the individual stalls. This is done by having the first portion of the dividers adjacent to. 4 the wall in the same form as the dividers of Figures 1 to 4 and then at approximately !liit its mid-point angling the divider 112 towards the direction from which the cows would I o approach.

To facilitate the easy lifting of the dividers 112 to release the cows after milking, the barrier gates 132 pivot through the dividers 112 as can be shown for the second top divider in Figure 5. This relieves any pressure the cow may have on the barrier gate 132 to thus assist in the lifting. Furthermore, the projections 136 can fold back due to being made of a flexible material and this will allow for larger cows to enter as can be seen at the lower part of Figure 5. Being preferably made of a relatively soft material, the projections 136 cause no irritation to a cow.

The ratio of the stall gate length to the passage width is important. The passage width is the distance between the barrier gate 136 and the opposite wall. The cows enter through this passage. By having the width the correct size in relation to the divider length, the cows although having extra space, do not have sufficient space for crowding, pushing or shoving to occur. This also allows for the cows to walk along to the relevant stall and to encourage them to stand in the desired position as is clearly indicated in Figure The projections 136 are more clearly shown in Figure 6 to 8. As can be seen, I

I

i i the projections 136 are approximately U-shaped and are securely attached to the barrier gate 132 by a flexible mounting 138. The barrier gate 132 preferably has a return spring which can be mounted on a return spring holder 140, The barrier gates 132 may have a plate 142 together with a screw 144 so that the gate can be adjusted. The barrier gates 132 are mounted by a hinge 146.

Test results have shown that after a few uses of a milking shed in whidh this mechanism is used, even the most unruly herd of cows will enter and leave the milking stalls in a very controlled manner with very little jostling or bullying, and with minimal or no excreta left on the floor of the milking shed.

1's If desired, there may be incorporated a cover 40 for the feeding trough 16.

The purpose of the cover 40 is to cover the feeding trough 16 while the cows are 'It entering and/or leaving the milking shed. The covers 40, like the dividers 12 of Figures 1 to 4, may be controlled in batches or as individual segments for each animal.

As a further alternative, the cover 40 may be operated in a single entity. The cover 40 would be moveable between a first position (see Figure 2) wherein it covers the feeding trough 16 and a second position where the cows could gain easy access to feed placed in the trough 16. The cover 40 should be in the first position covering the trough 16 when the cows are entering the milking shed so that they will not be tempted to stop early to try and feed on any remnants of feed in the feed trough 16. Ordnly when in position, be it for an individual cow or for a batch of cows or for all of them, would the trough cover 40 be raised and access to the feed in the trough 16 be allowed. The cover 40 would be again raised to the first position when milking had concluded so that the cows would no longer try and feed on any remnants and would also cause the later cows leaving to not hesitate to try and remove remnants of feed left by other cows.

This provides for far more orderly entry and exit from the milking shed.

The cover 40 may be linked with the dividers 12 and thus operate with them.

i i i IICII~CC In other words, the cover would be moved from the first to the second position as the dividers are lowered. As the dividers are raised at the end of the milking, the cover would be moved back to the first position. As an alternative, the cover 40 may be operated manually or totally independently.

Furthermore, each divider 12,112 may have a locking mechanism so that, when lowered, the lock under the brisket rail 18,118. In this way a cow cannot place her head under a divider 12,112 and force it upwards.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description a preferred S, construction of a milking shed incorporating certain features of the present invention, ;"rI it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications and details of design or construction may be made without departing j from the essential features of the present invention.

j i

Claims (3)

1. A mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed, said mechanism Including a plurality of dividers mounted so as to be moveable from a first or i aised position whereupon cows can move beneath said dividers, to a second or lower position where said dividers are capable of preventing movement by said cows; said dividers being spaced apart so as to provide milking stalls for said cows; each of said dividers having an outer end, each outer end having pivotally mounted thereto a barrier gate pivotable between a transverse position and a position substantially co-planar with said dividers by movement of a cow into said stall immediately past said divider, each of said barrier gates having at one end thereof a flexible extension to contact the flank of an entering cow.

2. A mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible extension is attached to the end of each barrier gate so that said gate will more closely follow said flank of said cow. 11,a,3. A mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of said flexible extensions is substantially U- shaped and is securely attached to each said barrier gate by a flexible mounting.

4. A mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17th day of July, 1996. PENDULUM DAIRY GATES PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys: CALLUNAN LAWRI~ .1 RA4'-10- 7S 1 7790GV7826,SPE.3 ABSTRACT A mechanism for the control of cows within a milking shed having a plurality of dividers (112) mounted to be moveable from a raised position where cows can move beneath the divider to a lower position where the dividers (112) prevent movement of the cows, the dividers (112) being spaced apart to provide for milking stalls; each divider (112) having an outer end (146)to which is pivotally mounted a barrier gate (132) pivotable between a transverse position and a position approximately co-planar with the dividers by movement of a cow into the stall immediately past the divider S. (112), each of the barrier gates (132) having at one end a flexible extension (136) to Ilpt)1 contact the flank of an entering cow. e 1 t* 04 I 4 t 0 0