FR2803983A1 - Closing system for sow breeding pens separated by same partition has raisable doors composed of two components extending transversely either side partition - Google Patents

Abstract

Two contiguous pens are separated by the same partition wall (2). The closing system comprises raisable doors (P) each articulated in the rear of a partition. Each door is composed of two components (3,3') extending transversely either side the partition so as to constitute half doors for the two pens. The door components are carried by a frame (4) comprising a pair of longitudinal arms (40) which are articulated at their front end (400)

Description

The present invention relates to a closure system for breeding huts, especially for so-called pregnant boxes, intended to receive sows in the gestation period.

A breeding facility of this type is composed of a large number of parallel and adjacent squares, arranged in rows, the vertical lateral partition separating two adjoining huts being constituted by the same element, called a low flank, generally provided with two feet. ground fixing.

The entrance and exit of the animal are through the rear end of the box, equipped with a closing system.

At the front of the box, which is closed, are arranged means for feeding and watering the animal.

Each bottom flank has feet for attachment to the ground, usually a pair of feet located at the front and rear portions of the lower flank. The feet are provided at their base, a plate for their attachment to the ground, usually in the form of grating, by means of bolts.

The low sidewall is formed of a set of bars or tubes assembled by welding to each other. Horizontal transverse bars or tubes connect the different lower flanks to their upper part to give the assembly the desired mechanical strength.

Traditional closure systems equipping this type of box can be classified into two categories.

The first comprises a single door, or a door with two leaves hinged in the manner of a pair of conventional flaps, adapted (s) to rotate about a vertical axis.

The second comprises a lift door hinged about a transverse longitudinal axis.

The object of the present invention belongs to this second category. In the known devices, each box is associated with an independent door, which consists of a panel, also formed of bars or tubes.

In the closed position of the door, the panel is vertical and extends transversely to the entrance of the box, between the rear edges of the two bottom flanks which delimit it. The panel is supported by a pair of symmetrical side arms, which are each hinged at the top of a low sidewall.

To open the door, the panel is pivoted upwards, to bring it into a retracted position, in which the entrance or exit is unobstructed, and the passage of the animal possible.

Such a construction is of great simplicity, robustness, and ease of use. However, it does not allow, of course to have a rear part of a box whose central area is free, unlike the door systems of the first category, with two leaves, such as those described for example in documents FR- A- <I> 2 682 </ I> 852 and FR-A-2 691 611. There is at least one bar or tube which passes through this central part, so that the panel is monoblock.

For a question of rigidity, this bar or tube is arranged (e) in general in the center or the base of the panel.

This cross is therefore directly exposed to the stains resulting from the excrement of the animal. In addition, its presence hinders, or even prevents, the passage of the breeder or the use of cleaning instrument, such as a plane or a broom, when the door is closed, the animal being inside of the box.

An object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a closure system which, although being liftable door - and retaining the advantages of this type of door - is devoid of any mechanical element closing the central area of the back part of the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction that minimizes the risk of injury to the animal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure system provided with a locking mechanism that is both safe, simple and convenient to use.

Another object of the invention, finally, is to provide a closure system that facilitates access to the boxes, the entry and exit of animals can be done at an angle, and not strictly along the longitudinal direction of the box . This can be of great interest, especially when the entrance of the boxes is a short distance from a wall of the livestock building or when the space between two parallel rows of boxes is reduced.

These different objectives are achieved, according to the invention, thanks to the fact that each door is composed of two elements extending transversely on either side of the lower flank so as to form half doors for the two adjoining boxes which are separated by this low flank.

Furthermore, according to a number of additional, non-limiting features of the invention - each of said elements is formed of an assembly of bars or tubes and has, viewed from above, a longitudinal portion, which extends the lower flank towards the rear and a transverse portion, perpendicular to the lower flank, these two parts being connected by an arcuate portion, whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the box; - The two components of a door are carried by a frame comprising at least one pair of longitudinal arms which extend symmetrically on each side of the rear portion of the lower flank, and are articulated thereon at their front end; - The arms are articulated on a crushed portion, disposed vertically, a horizontal longitudinal tube constituting the rear portion of the lower flank; - It comprises centering and retaining means in the transverse direction of the door relative to the lower side, when the door is in the lowered position, closing; - Said centering and retaining means comprise a "U" iron whose opening is directed towards the front of the box, adapted to enclose a vertical tube constituting the rear portion of the lower flank; - It comprises means for locking the door in the lowered position, closure; - Said means for locking the door in the lowered position comprise a retractable stopper secured to the lower sidewall and may constitute an abutment for the top of said arms; each of said elements has, seen from the end and from the rear, the general shape of a "U" and, viewed from the side, the general shape of a "D"; the two closure elements of the same space are separated by a free central space, running over their entire height. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description and the appended drawings which represent, in a simple way non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment.

In these drawings - Figure 1 is a schematic top view of several adjoining pregnant boxes, which are equipped with a closure system according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of two of these boxes, the observer being located at the back of the boxes; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, which shows, on a larger scale, the doors equipping one of said boxes; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, the observer being this time on the front side, inside the boxes; - Figures 5 to 8 are detailed views of a door, the latter being respectively shown front view, top view, side view, and perspective view from the rear; In the figures, there is designated by reference 1 an individual box for receiving a pregnant sow.

The front of the box corresponds to the top of the drawing.

In known manner, the breeding facility comprises a set of parallel and adjacent boxes 1, arranged in a row, two adjoining boxes being separated by the same vertical partition 2, usually called "bottom flank".

As seen in particular in Figure 2, a low sidewall 2 is fixed to the ground by means of two feet 20 whose base is carried by a plate 11. This is fixed to the ground, for example to the using bolts not shown.

Each bottom flank is an assembly of bars or metal tubes, and is subdivided into a central portion 21, a front portion 22 and a rear portion 23.

The different lower flanks are connected at their upper part by stiffening crosspieces 10.

The central portion 21 comprises upper and lower spars connected by vertical bars 210.

The front portion 22 also has vertical bars.

It is equipped with unrepresented feeding and drinking devices. The rear edge of the central portion 21 comprises an upright 211 on which the rear portion 23 is cantilevered. The upright 211 forms an integral part of one of the legs 20.

This consists of two horizontal elements 24, 28, situated respectively in the upper part and in the lower part, a vertical rear element 26 and an oblique intermediate part 27 which connects the upper element 24 to the rear element 26.

The connection between the parts 26 and 28 is made in a circular arc.

This rear portion therefore has the general shape of an arch; inside the latter are provided two horizontal upper longitudinal members 25 and lower 25 ', connecting the vertical elements 211 and 26.

The closure system which is the subject of the invention comprises liftable doors P.

A door is composed of two elements 3, 3 'which extend transversely on either side of the plane containing the low side on which the door is mounted, so that each of the two elements constitutes a half-door for the door. one of the two contiguous boxes which are separated by this bottom flank 2.

In FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, reference numerals 3 and 3 'respectively designate the constituent elements of the left and right parts of a door P. As can be seen particularly in FIG. Door P is formed of an assembly of tubes suitably bent and welded to each other.

These tubes preferably have a circular section.

The door P comprises two external vertical uprights 31, 31 'which are connected at their base by a bottom rail 30, these parts being connected by quarter-circle portions.

Thus, seen at the end, the parts 30, 31 and 31 'affect the shape of an upper part, the branches 31, 31' are fixed to elements 32, respectively 32 ', which are bent to form quarter circles arranged in a horizontal plane (see Figure 6).

The portions 32 are connected towards the front of the box by portions 33, 33 ', also bent in a quarter circle, but this time in a vertical plane, at vertical portions 34.

In the lower part, the elements 34, 34 'are connected by quarter-circle portions 35, 35', also located in vertical planes and by horizontal portions 36, 36 ', to the central region of the lower branch 30.

Such a door therefore affects a form of symmetry with respect to a median longitudinal plane, composed of two symmetrical elements 3, 3 ', connected by the common cross member 30, each acting as a half-door for one of the two boxes.

The vertical branches 34, 34 'are located in front of the branches 31, 31', and at a short distance from each other, their mutual spacing being slightly greater than the thickness of the low sidewall supporting the door.

The door is fixed to a frame 4 comprising two parallel horizontal arms 40, which extend longitudinally forwards, from the arcuate portions 33.

The rear end portions of the arms 40 are for example welded inside the portions 33.

At their front end, the arms 40 are shaped so as to have a recess, such that their foremost zones 400 are at a short distance from one another.

The frame also includes a pair of obliquely disposed struts 41 which connect the front portion of the arms 40 to the portions 34 of the door.

At this level, the two portions 34, 34 'are connected by a transverse flat iron 42.

The pair of parallel frame members 40, 41 are adapted to embrace the rear portion 23 of the lower flank, and more specifically the tubular members 24, 27, 26 and 25.

The portions 400 are articulated by means of a suitable pin about a transverse horizontal axis A located at the front part of the aforementioned element 25.

More specifically, this portion of the element 25 is crushed, so as to form a vertically oriented flat portion 250, at which the joint is formed.

With this arrangement, there is no protruding portion at the ends of the hinge pin that would be likely to injure the animal present in the hut.

When a door P is raised, it pivots with its frame 4, around the axis A.

The free passage, during this pivoting, transverse flat iron 42 is made possible by the inclined arrangement of the portion 27.

In the raised position the door rests, by its lower transverse portion 30, against an extension 200 of the upright 211. In known manner, the extensions of the uprights of the various boxes are connected by a cross stiffening 10 similar to those arranged in the front part , constituting porticos.

In the low (closing) position, the door abuts, by the transverse flat iron 42, against the rear vertical portion 26 of the lower flank.

More specifically, as seen in particular in Figures 6 to 8, the flat iron 42 supports a part "U" 7 whose opening is directed forward; the width of this "U" corresponds to the diameter of the constituent tube of the portion 26, so that the part 7 can fit on this portion 26, ensuring a perfect centering of the door on the low sidewall when the door is closed.

In addition, this interlock ensures a transverse immobilization of the door, the transverse forces likely to be applied to the door being transmitted to the lower side, which reduces the risk of inadvertent deformation of the door and the frame 4, in particular by following an unexpected support of the animal against the door.

As seen in particular in Figure 3, the vertical central portions 31 of two adjacent doors, when lowered, are facing one another but with a certain mutual distance E.

This free interval, which allows the farmer to enter the box although the door is closed, or to pass a cleaning instrument.

Thus, with such a system, the same advantages as those of the doors described in documents FR-2,682,852 and 2,691,611 already mentioned are obtained.

The system is equipped with a locking mechanism 6 which prevents the door from being raised unexpectedly when the door is in the closed position.

This mechanism comprises a stopper 60 constituted by a horizontal plate may be placed selectively, either transversely or longitudinally by pivoting quarter turn around a vertical axis.

This plate 60 is located on the tubular element 25, a little behind the crushed portion 250.

The length of the wafer is greater than the spacing between the two arms 40, while its width is smaller than this spacing.

It is therefore understood that if the plate 60 is oriented parallel to the two arms 40, it does not interfere with the lifting of the frame and the door.

In contrast, in a transverse position, such as that illustrated in the figures, the plate 60 prevents this lifting. The plate 60 is secured to a square head 61 which can be blocked by a lever 62 of "U" section, which is articulated with a transverse horizontal axis on the element 25, a little in front of the wafer 60 .

When the lever 62 is lowered, its flanks trap the head 61, preventing its pivoting.

To be able to pivot the plate 60 in one of its two positions, it is first necessary to release the head 61, by raising the lever 62.

In principle, to make an animal enter a box, or to bring out, we hide the two closing elements of the box, which involves the lifting of each of the two doors on its lower flanks.

However, as illustrated in Figure 1, it is possible to enter and / or exit the animal by lifting one of the two doors.

This remarkable result is obtained thanks to the fact that the door constitutes a relatively large extension of the rear part of the lower flank. In other words, if the door is raised, the effective length of this rear portion is substantially decreased.

In FIG. 1, the "surplus" of length due to the presence of the door is designated by the reference k, one of the two doors - in this case the right door - of the box referenced 1A having been represented. in the open position in this figure.

With this arrangement, it is possible to enter or leave the animal, not necessarily in a strictly axial position, but also at an angle, as illustrated by the arrow F.

Indeed, the raising of the right door member has released, not only the bottom (rear part) of the box <B> IA, </ B> but also a large portion of the rear of the bottom right flank 2.

This arrangement is particularly interesting when the row of cells is close to an obstacle, such as, in particular, a wall M of the livestock building.

Thus, by observing this figure 1, it is easily understood that it is possible to successively penetrate the animals in the row of huts, the latter being at the tail-leu-leu and advancing from right to left along from the wall M.

When a left door is lowered and the right door raised, the animal that arrives is intercepted by the left door (projecting) and penetrates "in an angle" in the box, to finally locate itself along the axis of the box. The right door can then be lowered, and a new animal intercepted, which will enter the next box.

It should be noted that the completely tubular structure of a door, and the arcuate shapes that have been adopted, allow each door to better marry the anatomical forms of the animal and eliminate the risk of injury. Thus, the arcuate portions 32 are adapted to the shape of the rear train of the animal, and interfere at least its movements.

Note also that in the lower part of the door there is no element protruding inside the box, so that the animal can not sit on a door element.

The presence of the gap E between two adjacent doors, which corresponds to the central part of the box, limits the defilement of the doors by the excrement of the animal. In addition, the lack of tubes in this area reduces droppings.

The particular shape of the half-doors allows them to be used as a step. Indeed the horizontal orientation of the cross member 30 and parts 36 and 36 'allows to put one or two feet. The elevator can thus have a visual access of the animal easy, without having to enter the box.

An intervention on the animal, especially when it is naughty, can be done safely.

Claims (10)

1. Closure system for breeding huts, in particular for individual huts intended to receive an animal such as a sow, in an installation composed of a set of parallel and adjacent huts (1), arranged in rows, two huts contiguous being separated by the same vertical longitudinal partition (2), called low sidewall, characterized in that it comprises liftable doors (P), each articulated at the rear of a low sidewall, and that each door is composed two elements (3, 3 ') extending transversely on either side of the lower flank so as to form half doors for the two contiguous huts which are separated by this low flank (2). 2. closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said elements is formed of an assembly of bars or tubes and has, seen from above, a longitudinal portion (3a), which extends the lower flank to the rear and a transverse portion (3b), perpendicular to the bottom flank, these two parts being connected by an arcuate portion (3c), whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the box. 3. Closure system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two elements making up a door (P) are carried by a frame (4) comprising at least one pair of longitudinal arms (40) which extend symmetrically. on each side of the rear portion of the lower flank, and are hinged thereto at their forward end (400). 4. Closure system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arms (40) are articulated on a crushed portion (250), arranged vertically, a horizontal longitudinal tube (25) constituting the back part of the bottom flank. 5. Closure system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises means (7) for centering and retaining in the transverse direction of the door relative to the low sidewall, when the door is located in the lowered, closing position. 6. Closure system according to claim 5, characterized in that said centering and retaining means (7) comprise a U-shaped iron whose opening is directed towards the front of the box, adapted to enclose a vertical tube (26) constituting the rear part (23) of the low sidewall. 7. Closure system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises means (6) for locking the door in the lowered position, closing. 8. Closing system according to claims 3 and 7 taken in combination, characterized in that said means (6) for locking the door in the lowered position comprise a retractable stop (60) integral with the lower flank and may constitute a stop for the top of said arms (40). 9. Closure system according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that each of said elements (3,3 ') has, seen from the end and from the rear, the general shape of a "U" and , seen from the side, the general shape of a "D". 10. Closure system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two elements (3, 3 ') of closure of the same space are separated by a central space (E) free, running over their entire height .