GB1483347A - Animal pens - Google Patents

Abstract

1483347 Animal pens K E WOOD 5 Feb 1975 [20 Dec 1973] 59143/74 Heading A5R An animal pen 10 comprises a generally rectangular animal receiving structure having at one end a restraining yoke 12 adapted to engage an animal's head or neck, and at the opposite end, animal advancing means 14 comprising a horizontal track 15, 16 on each side of the structure, along which move trolleys 17, toggle levers 19, 20 being pivotally connected to the trolleys with their remote ends connected by a rigid transverse handle 21, the pen also comprising an animal engaging bar 28 which is engaged by hooks 26, 27 on trolleys and levers, the levers being pivotally connected to one end of a link 22, 23 respectively, the other ends of the links being pivotally mounted, at 24, 25 respectively, relative to tracks 15, 16, these pivots being positioned along the tracks for each animal size. When handle 21 is pulled downwards the trolleys, and hence the bar, are moved in an animal advancing direction and cannot be moved in an opposite direction once they are fully advanced. Alternatively ratchet and pawl mechanisms between the trolleys and the tracks may be provided to prevent rearward movement of bar 28. Also, a lever mechanism may be provided at one side of the stucture only. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown) the upper part of structure (110) has a rotatably mounted shaft (111) having a handle (112) an arcuate trackway (113) mounted on each side with a trolley (114) movable along each one. The trolleys are connected to the shaft by pivoted links (115) and rigid links (116) and are interconnected across the structure by an animal engaging bar. An openable door may be provided at the end of the pen adjacent the yoke 12.