FR2790190A1 - Enclosure for bovines has cross pieces defining enclosure with posts and bar to control locking - Google Patents

Abstract

The enclosure for bovines has two cross pieces (11,12) connected by posts (13,15,17) defining a series of stalls (100). The space for each animal is defined by a right post (13) and a bar (20) which can pivot between two diagonal positions. A horizontal bar (24) above the upper cross bar (12) carries pivot cams (31) forming stops.

Description

The present invention relates to a headlock for

  horned animals, in particular for cattle.

  There are a large number of such feeders, but most of them are of the type comprising two horizontal crosspieces connected together by vertical uprights defining a series of frames each of which has a space through which the animal must pass its head to access the food, said space being delimited laterally by a straight upright and by a pendulum mounted to pivot in the vertical plane of the frame between two extreme positions, the upper cross member being further surmounted by a horizontal bar which can rotate around its axis, said bar carrying, above each frame, locking means cooperating with a member carried by a fork extending

  above the pendulum concerned.

  Depending on the case, the oscillating balance of such head locks can pivot either between a diagonal position where the upper part of the passage space is clear and a substantially vertical position, or between two diagonal positions passing through an intermediate position

substantially vertical.

  For the headlock of the first type, we can

  see documents FR-A-2 350 052, FR-A-2 685 164, FR-

  A-2 762 754, US-A-4 185 592, and EP-A-0 620 968. In this

  case, the horizontal bar carrying the locking means

  the wheel is movable between two positions, one of which corresponds to the locking of the balance in its substantially vertical position, that is to say a position for restraining the animals insofar as the neck of the latter is retained between the vertical upright concerned and the balance, and the other of which corresponds to the unlocking of the balance, the latter then being able to freely oscillate between its two positions,

  that is to say for the arrival and departure of animals.

  It should be noted that the means of ver-

  rusting illustrated in the above documents are of

  very varied types. One thus finds the systems with tongue-

  your articulated around an axis disposed in the upper part of the balance, the free edge of each tongue cooperating with a stop or a ramp ending in a vertical stop edge, the ramps being rigidly secured to the horizontal bar. There are also systems in which a horizontal journal can freely slide in an elongated slot arranged in each branch of the fork extending the balance concerned above. There are also systems with freely pivoting cleats, each cleat having the shape of an inverted U coming to overlap the horizontal bar on which it is directly articulated

  (see for example document FR-A-2 762 754).

  More interesting are the three-position head locks, the pendulum of which can pivot between two

  diagonal positions passing through an intermediate position

  substantially vertical diary. These head locks thus make it possible, in addition to the locking position in the vertical position, to two free oscillation positions, one of which allows the pendulum to pivot freely between its two diagonal positions, and the other of which allows the pendulum to pivot freely between a diagonal position and the substantially vertical intermediate position. We

  may thus refer to documents US-A-4,930,452, DE-U-

  295 16 477, DE-U-295 07 278, FR-A-2 750 292, and NL-A-

9000107.

  Again, the locking means illustrated in these documents are of several types: there are systems with cleats or levers with free pivoting (documents US-A-4,930,452, DE-U-295 16,477, DE-U-295 07278), or systems with inclined ramps (see documents FR-A-2 750 292 and NL-A-90 00107). The attachment means carried by the pivoting balance is then constituted by a journal sliding in the fork of the balance, or by a double tongue articulated in part

high of said screed.

  The object of the present invention is to design a headlock of the aforementioned second type, that is to say of which each pendulum can pivot between two diagonal positions passing through a substantially vertical intermediate position, the locking means of which are both

  simple structure and high reliability.

  Another object of the invention is to allow axial adjustment of the locking means on the horizontal bar, such adjustment not being possible with the systems of the aforementioned documents whose inclined ramps are welded to the horizontal bar or whose tabs with free pivoting are articulated on a through axis

said horizontal bar.

  This technical problem is solved in accordance with the invention thanks to a feed fence for horned animals, in particular for cattle, comprising two horizontal crosspieces connected together by vertical uprights defining a series of frames each of which has a space through which the animal must pass its head to access food, said space being delimited laterally by a straight upright and by a pendulum mounted to pivot in the vertical plane of the frame between two diagonal positions passing through a position

  substantially vertical intermediate, the upper cross

  being further surmounted by a horizontal bar which can rotate about its axis, said bar carrying, above each frame, locking means cooperating with a member carried by a fork extending

  superiorly the pendulum concerned, the means of ver-

  rusting which overhang each frame comprising two free-pivoting cleats in the form of brackets with two branches, one branch of which provides the pivoting connection and the other branch forms a support stop, the carrying bar being able to be brought into three angular positions

  different, including a first position in which the pivot axes of the lugs are horizontal and the bearing branches of said lugs are below said bar, said first position corresponding to a ver-

  rusting of the balance in its intermediate position, a second position in which the pivot axes of the

  cleats are vertical, said second position corresponds

  due to free swinging of the balance between its two diagonal positions, and a third position in

  which the pivot axes of the cleats are horizontal-

  rate and the support branches of said cleats are above said bar, said third position corresponding to

  free swinging of the pendulum between its diagonal position

  nale where the upper part of the passage space is clear

and its intermediate position.

  The angled structure of the freely pivoting cleats is both simple and extremely reliable, and moreover it perfectly accommodates the triple position

angle of the horizontal bar.

  It is particularly advantageous to provide that the two tabs of each frame are each mounted on a respective sleeve passing over the horizontal bar, the axial position of each sleeve on said bar being adjustable. In particular, each cleat is articulated on its sleeve by a bolt which also achieves the blocking

  in position of said sleeve on the horizontal bar.

  The mounting of the freely pivoting cleats on an independent sleeve allows an axial adjustment of each cleat individually, and consequently also an adjustment of

  the respective spacing between each pair of cleats.

  Preferably, in the first position of the horizontal bar, the support legs of the cleats of each frame form two inclined descending ramps

  towards the median vertical plane of said frame.

  More preferably still, in the second position of the horizontal bar, the articulation branches of the cleats of each frame are above said bar.5 It is also advantageous to provide that in the third position of the horizontal bar, the branch of articulation of the cleat of each frame ensuring the locking of the balance concerned forms a V with point turned downwards. In particular, in this third position of the horizontal bar, the support branch of each cleat concerned by the locking serves as a

  operation for manual unlocking.

  In accordance with another interesting characteristic-

  health, the support legs of the cleats of each frame-

  delimit between them a passage which widens in

  moving away from the articulation branches of said cleats.

  This allows an easy transition from the first to the second position or from the second to the first position of the

horizontal bar.

  Advantageously finally, the member carried by the fork extending above each pendulum is a cylindrical sleeve projecting in the upper part of said fork, said sleeve having a horizontal axis which remains parallel to the median vertical plane of the frame. In particular, the cylindrical sleeve constitutes an end-of-travel stop for the balance in the two diagonal positions thereof, by cooperating with the upper crosspiece which it overhangs. Such a structure allows an extremely robust design of the pivoting pendulums of the

head locks.

  Other features and advantages of the

  vention will appear more clearly in light of the

  description which follows and attached drawings, concerning a

  particular embodiment, with reference to Figures o: - Figure 1 is a partial elevational view of a headlock according to the invention, which can be distinguished a frame and an end corresponding to the operating part of the rotating horizontal bar , which is5 in a first position; - Figure 2 is a detail view of the previous figure, on a larger scale, of the area of the freely pivoting cleats, to better distinguish their mounting on axial sleeves; - Figure 3 is a partial elevational view corresponding to a second position of the support bar, after pivoting 90 relative to the first position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; - Figure 4 is a detail view of the previous figure, on a larger scale, to better distinguish the area of the two cleats; - Figures 5 and 6 are sections along V-V and VI-VI of Figure 4 to better distinguish the square structure of each of the two pivoting lugs; 20 - Figure 7 is a partial elevational view showing the headlock in a third position of the carrier bar, after a new pivoting of 90 relative to the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Figures 1 and 2 show a compliant headlock to the invention, more particularly designed for animals such as cattle. The head lock, having the general reference 10, comprises two horizontal crosspieces 11, 12 (or spars) connected to each other by vertical uprights 13, 15, 17 defining a series of frames 100 each of which has a space denoted E through which

  the animal must pass its head to access the food.

  The space E is delimited laterally on one side by a straight upright 13 which is here fixed by associated collars 14 to the crosspieces 11, 12 and on the other side by a pendulum

  20 mounted to pivot in the vertical plane of the frame

  is lying. It is naturally possible to provide a welded connection, as for the uprights 15 and 17, but the use of such collars 14 optionally allows adjustment in the axial position, and consequently an adjustment of the width of the space E when the balance 20 is in its substantially vertical position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. A curved tubular part 16 is fixed to the upright 15 and to the lower cross member 11, with a

  substantially triangular shape to allow a debate-

  angular ment corresponding to the two diagonal positions for the pendulum 20. For this purpose, two plates 18 are welded to the structure 16, and carry an axis 19 on

  which articulates the bar forming the pendulum 20.

  In the upper part of the balance 20, a yoke or fork 21 is provided, the two branches of which pass on each side of the upper cross member 12, and terminate in an axis parallel to the axis 19 of articulation of the balance 20. last axis is mounted a member 22 which is here produced in the form of a cylindrical sleeve projecting in the upper part of the fork 21. The sleeve 22 has a horizontal axis which thus remains parallel to the median vertical plane denoted P of the frame. Preferably, this sleeve 22 will be made in

  hard plastic, for example Teflon.

  The pendulum 20 can thus pivot in the vertical plane of the frame between two diagonal positions denoted I and II (illustrated in phantom in Figure 1), passing through an intermediate position denoted III substantially vertical (illustrated in solid line on the

  figure 1). As can be seen here, the cylinder sleeve

  drique 22 further constitutes an end of travel stop for the balance 20 in the two diagonal positions I, II thereof, cooperating with the upper cross member 12 which it overhangs. It should be observed that the primary function of the cylindrical sleeve 22 is to constitute the member carried by the fork 21 which cooperates with the locking means 30 which will be described later in more detail. Finally, it will be observed that the balance 20 is equipped, on the side thereof corresponding to the tubular structure 16, with a tubular assembly denoted 23 which makes it possible to block access to the intermediate spaces on this side of the

  pendulum for animals arriving in front of the lock.

  Thus, whatever the position of the pendulum 20, the animal can pass its head only between the upright 13 and the pendulum 20, that is to say in the space E provided for this purpose. The tubular assembly 23 is preferably designed to form a slight counterweight ensuring that the diagonal position denoted I is a position of natural equilibrium. The upper cross member 12 is surmounted by a horizontal bar 24 which can rotate about its axis, said bar carrying, above each frame, locking means 30 cooperating with the aforementioned member 22 carried by the fork 21 which extends above the pendulum concerned 20. In this case, the horizontal bar

  24 is supported at its ends by end sleeves

  mite 25 fixed by a bracket 26 to the upper cross member 12. At one end of the bar 24, there is an actuating lever 27 which makes it possible to rotate the bar 24 about its axis so that it occupies one or more the other of

  three positions which will be described in more detail.

  We can naturally provide means (not shown here) for locking the bar

  carrier 24 in any of its noted positions

  quables. The three angular positions of the bar 24 have been noted 1, 2, 3, the position 1 corresponding to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position 2 corresponding to the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the position

  3 corresponding to the position illustrated in FIG. 7.

  Each of these three positions is deduced from the previous one

by a rotation of 90.

  In accordance with a characteristic of the invention

  tion, the locking means 30 overhanging each frame comprise two freely pivoting tabs denoted 31.1, 31.2 in the form of brackets with two branches. The tabs 31.1, 31.2 thus have a branch denoted 36.1, 36.2 respectively, which provides the pivoting connection, and another branch denoted 37.1, 37.2 respectively, forming a support stop. The angled structure of the cleats 31.1 and 31.2 is particularly visible on the cuts

Figures 5 and 6.

  In addition, the two tabs 31.1 and 31.2 of each frame are each mounted on a respective sleeve 32.1, 32.2 passing over the horizontal bar 24, the axial position of each sleeve on said bar can thus be adjusted. This allows not only to ensure the verticality of the balance 20 in its position III, but also to adjust the relative spacing between the two tabs when the bar 24 is in its position 1, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Indeed , this relative spacing20 makes it possible to block on each side the pendulum which comes from its position I or from its position II. As is best seen in Figures 4 to 6, each cleat 31.1, 31.2 is articulated on its sleeve 32.1, 32.2 by a bolt 35.1, 35.2 which also achieves the locking in position of said sleeve on the horizontal bar 24. For this purpose , each sleeve 32.1, 32.2 has a protuberance 34. 1, 34.2 which is crossed by the rod of the associated bolt 35.1, 35.2 defining the pivot axis 33.1, 33.2 of each

brackets in the form of brackets.

  The support bar 24 can thus be brought into three different angular positions, including firstly a first position (Figures 1 and 2) in which the pivot axes of the lugs 31.1, 31.2 are horizontal

  and the support branches 37.1, 37.2 of said tabs are

  below said bar, said first position corresponds to

  corresponding to a locking of the balance 20 in its intermediate position (III), then a second position (Figures 3 to 6) in which the pivot axes of the cleats 31.1, 31.2 are vertical, said second position corresponding to free pivoting of the balance 20 between its two diagonal positions I, II, and finally a third position (Figure 7) in which the pivot axes of the lugs 31.1, 31.2 are horizontal and the support branches 37.1, 37.2 of said lugs are above said bar, said third position corresponding to a free pivoting of the balance 20 between its diagonal position I o the upper part of the passage space E is released, and its position

intermediate III.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that in the first position of the horizontal bar 24, the support branches 37.1, 37.2 of the cleats 31.1, 31.2 of each frame form two inclined ramps descending towards the median vertical plane P of said frame. Thus, whether the pendulum 20 comes from its diagonal position I or from its diagonal position II, it comes into contact with the corresponding cleat along the associated inclined ramp, then raises said cleat by its sleeve 22, until it exceeds it to allow the simple return of the cleat to its initial position. The pendulum 20 is then locked in its substantially vertical position III. The position of Figures 1 and 2 corresponds to a position of restraint or restraint of the animal eating its food. In the second position of the horizontal bar 24, which corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 3, the two tabs 31.1, 31.2 have been turned 90 around the axis of the horizontal bar 24 relative to the position of FIGS. 1 and 2, and their support branch 37.1, 37.2 is configured so as not to interfere with the free pivoting of the pendulum 20, that is to say that the sleeve 22 does not encounter any obstacle between the two diagonal positions of said pendulum. It can be seen that in the second position of the horizontal bar 24, the articulation branches 36.1, 36.2 of the tabs 31.1, 31.2 of each frame are here above said bar. We could have provided a position below the bar 24, but the option chosen here ensures that the sleeve 22 does not encounter any obstacle in its free pivoting. This position of Figure 3 corresponds to a position10 called total self-service, that is to say it allows an animal to release its head from the bottom as well as from the top of the pendulum. A further rotation of 90 brings the supporting bar 24 to its third position illustrated on the

  Figure 7. In this third position, the balance 20 can freely oscillate between the first position diag-

  nale I and the substantially vertical intermediate position III. In this position of the horizontal bar, the cleat 31.1 which is on the side of the tubular structure 16 does not fulfill any role, and the structure of this cleat is such that the sleeve 22 does not come to contact it during the

  pivoting of the balance between its two positions I and III.

  On the other hand, it is the cleat 31.2 which performs the stop function by its articulation branch 36.2. It will be noted that in this third position of the horizontal bar 24, the articulation branch 36.2 of the cleat 31.2 of each frame ensuring the locking of the pendulum concerned forms a V with a point facing downwards. It is easy to understand that in this third position of the horizontal bar 24, the support branch 37.2 of the cleat 31.2 concerned by the locking serves as an operating member for manual unlocking, if desired, at a station determined, release the pivoting of the pendulum 20 beyond the vertical so that it can

  rotate to its other diagonal position II.

  As is better visible in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the support branches 37.1, 37.2 of the cleats 31.1, 31.2 of each frame delimit between them a passage noted 50 which widens away from the articulation branches 36.1, 36.2 of said tabs. This configuration with variable width passage facilitates the transition between positions 1 and 2 of the support bar 24. In fact, when one passes from the position of full self-service illustrated in FIG. 3 to the locking position illustrated. in Figure 1, the sleeve 22 is gradually centered to be brought into its substantially vertical position.

  The position illustrated in Figure 7 is particularly

  rement interesting because it allows, with a headlock whose locking means are constituted by cleats with free pivoting, to have a standard self-service position, in which each balance can oscillate between the diagonal position of maximum upper opening and the substantially vertical position. This standard self-service position allows the animal to engage its head from the top of the pendulum and easily disengage itself

  alone by simply looking up.

  We can if we wish to equip each

  framing of an individual locking means allows

  both keep an animal blocked at a position while the position for other positions is a self-service position (total or standard). For this purpose, it will be possible to provide a drilling in the two branches of the fork, and a jumper welded to the horizontal bar: thus, when the pendulum concerned is in its intermediate vertical position, the operator can insert a pin which blocks the fork said pendulum, which does not prevent it from rotating the horizontal bar to bring the

  cleats in self-service position (total or standard).

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, but on the contrary encompasses any variant incorporating, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics set out

upper.

Claims (10)

  1. Head locks for horned animals, in particular for cattle, comprising two horizontal crosspieces (11, 12) connected to each other by vertical uprights (13, 15, 17) defining a series of frames (100) each of which has a space (E) through which   the animal must pass its head to access the food, said space being delimited laterally by a straight upright (13) and by a pendulum (20) mounted to pivot in the vertical plane of the frame between two diagonal positions (I, II) passing through an intermediate position   diary (III) substantially vertical, the upper crosspiece (12) being further surmounted by a horizontal bar (24) which can rotate about its axis, said bar carrying, above each frame, locking means (30) cooperating with a member (22) carried by a fork (21) extending above the balance concerned (20), characterized in that the locking means (30) overhanging each frame comprise two free pivoting lugs (31.1, 31.2) brackets with two branches, one branch (36.1, 36.2) providing the pivoting connection and the other branch (37.1, 37.2) forming a support stop, the support bar (24) being able to be brought into three different angular positions , including a first position in which the pivot axes of the lugs (31.1, 31.2) are horizontal and the bearing branches (37.1, 37.2) of said lugs are below said   bar, said first position corresponding to a ver-   rusting of the balance (20) in its intermediate position (III), a second position in which the pivot axes of the cleats (31.1, 31.2) are vertical, said second position corresponding to a free pivoting of the balance (20) between its two positions diagonals (I, II), and a third position in which the pivot axes of the cleats (31.1, 31.2) are horizontal and the   support legs (37.1, 37.2) of said tabs are   above said bar, said third position corresponds to   laying on a free pivoting of the balance (20) between its diagonal position (I) where the upper part of the passage space is released and its intermediate position (III). 2. Head locks according to claim 1, characterized   in that the two tabs (31.1, 31.2) of each frame-   are each mounted on a respective sleeve (32.1, 32.2) passing over the horizontal bar (24), the position   axial of each sleeve on said bar being adjustable.   3. Head lock according to claim 2, characterized in that each cleat (31.1, 31.2) is articulated on its sleeve (32.1, 32.2) by a bolt (35.1, 35.2) which also performs the locking in position of said sleeve on the bar horizontal (24).   4. Head locks according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that in the first position of the horizontal bar (24), the support branches (37.1, 37.2) of the cleats (31.1, 31.2) of each frame form two inclined ramps descending towards the median vertical plane (P) of said framework.   5. Head locks according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that in the second position of the horizontal bar (24), the articulation branches (36.1, 36.2)   cleats (31.1, 31.2) of each frame are above said bar.   6. Head locks according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that, in the third position of the horizontal bar (24), the articulation branch (36.2) of the   cleat (31.2) of each frame ensuring the locking   the balance wheel concerned (20) forms a V with turned point down.   7. Head lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, in this third position of the horizontal bar (24), the support branch (37.2) of each cleat (31.2) concerned by the locking serves as a   operation for manual unlocking.   8. Head locks according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the support branches (37.1, 37.2) of the cleats (31.1, 31.2) of each frame delimit between them a passage (50) which widens away from the   articulation branches (36.1, 36.2) of said cleats.   9. Head locks according to one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the member (22) carried by the fork (21) extending above each balance (20) is a cylindrical sleeve projecting in the upper part of said   fork, said sleeve having a horizontal axis which remains parallel to the median vertical plane (P) of the frame. 10. Head locks according to claim 9, character-   laughed in that the cylindrical sleeve (22) constitutes an end of travel stop for the balance (20) in both   diagonal positions (I, II) thereof, cooperating with the upper crosspiece (12) which it overhangs.