GB2046068A - Cattle crush - Google Patents

Abstract

A cattle crush (10) comprises a box shaped enclosure having a rectangular base frame (12) and upright walls. The end walls are provided with doors (15), each equipped with a head clamp (18). One side of the crush has supporting boards (20) and straps (21) against which an animal can be secured with the head of the animal passing through one of the head clamps. Adjacent this side of the crush, arcuate ramps (26) extend from the base and merge into supporting portions (25) which are generally parallel with the boards (20) and spaced from them. The crush can therefore be tilted from a condition standing on its base to a condition standing on the supporting portions (25) which are perpendicular to the base. The wall of the crush opposite to the boards (20) is provided with removable frames (23) and the space includes a hinge space member (13), which can be displaced once the crush has been rolled onto the supporting portions (25) to give free access to the sides and underparts of an animal held in the crush. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal restraining device This invention relates to what is generally known as a "cattle crush".

This is an animal restraining device which is arranged to enclose and hold secure animals, not necessarily cattle, while they are undergoing treatment of some sort.

Although the conventional cattle crush is in widespread use, it can only constrain an animal in an upright standing or suspended condition and it would be desirable to be able to tilt the animal to a horizontal position, that is lying on its side, for inspection or treatment of its underparts, for example its feet.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cattle crush capable of being tilted (while constraining an animal therein) from a vertical to a horizontal condition.

According to the invention there is provided a cattle crush comprising a framework defining a generally box-like enclosure to receive an animal, and having at each of its opposed ends an openable door, and at its base a base member, a pair of lateral supports extending from one side of the framework and including supporting portions spaced from, and parallel to said side, and arcuate ramp means being provided extending from the base of the framework to the respective supporting portions so as to afford a continuous support for the framework for tilting from a vertical, upright condition in which it stands supported on its base, to a horizontal condition in which it is supported on said supporting portions.

Straps or slings may be provided to reduce the risk of the animal being injured during tilting.

Each end of the crush may have a head clamp adapted to hold and restrain the head of an animal in the crush. Additionally, a head board may be provided adapted to be secured at either of the ends of the crush at said side, to prevent the animal's head from fouling the lateral supports during tilting. The head board may be padded and may be provided with an associated sling or strap for restraining the animal's head against the head board.

The base member, which may be a board, plate or grid, may be removable or displaceable when the crush is in the horizontal condition. Preferably, it is hinged at said side whereby it can be swung downwardly between the lateral supports when the crush is in the horizontal condition, for ready inspection of the underparts of the animal.

The framework may include one or more removable or displaceable side closure members at the other side of the crush remote from the lateral supports.

The crush may include means for the attachment of a three point tractor linkage for transportation. It may include an attachment member for a haulage means for tilting the crush, for example a tractor linkage or winch cable.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cattle crush embodying the invention, FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the cattle crush in use, the crush being shown in a partly tilted condition, FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the cattle crush shown in the fully horizontal condition, with the animal shown reversed end for end compared with Figure 2.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the cattle crush is generally indicated at 10 and will be seen to comprise a framework of welded steel tube defining a box-like enclosure within which an animal can be restrained. As the name implies, a cattle crush is most likely to be needed for use with cattle but, if the device is the correct size, it could be used with other animals such as pigs.

The basic framework 11 of the cattle crush includes a generally rectangular base frame 12 to which is secured a base member 13. The framework also includes upright corner members 14.

Each end of the cattle crush is closed by a door 1 5 which is desirably removable. It will be appreciated that the term "door" does not necessarily imply that the door 1 5 is hinged to the framework 11 although this will usually be the case. In the particular example shown, the door 1 5 is mounted on hinges 1 6 which can be released if desired and has a lever operated catch 17.

A head clamp 1 8 is provided in the top portion of the door 15. This is of generally known type having a lever operated toggle linkage 19 which is such that the animal's head can be allowed to pass into the opening of the head clamp 1 8 and the opening can then be restricted in size so as to clamp the animal's head by use of the toggle linkage 19.

It will be seen that a door 1 5 is provided at each end of the crush. This is so that the animal can be put in facing either way as desired.

One side of the crush, shown at the rear of Figure 1, is provided with a pair of spaced apart boards 20 against which the animal can be strapped by means of straps or slings 21. The slings are provided with ratchet tightening means which can be operated from outside the crush.

The other side of the crush is closed off by means of one or more removable metal frames 22 which can be slotted into place in suitable sockets 23. The idea of having the removable frame is that the animal is driven into the crush and held loosely captive by the side walls defined by the frame or frames 22 and is then secured by means of the sling 21 , whereupon the frame or frames 22 can be removed to allow access to the side of the animal for vetinary or other treatment.

The side of the crush which carries the boards 20 will eventually lie on the lower side when the crush has been tilted from the vertical, upright condition shown in Figure 1, to a horizontal condition as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

In the horizontal condition, the crush is supported by a pair of lateral supports generally indicated at 24, including a pair of supporting portions 25 which are spaced from and parallel to the rear side of the crush. The supporting portions 25 are linked to the base frame 12 by arcuate ramps 26 so that the crush can be supported throughout its tilting movement from the ve,tical, upright condition to the horizontal condition. This tilting movement is shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In Figure 2, it will be seen that the arcuate ramps 26 are supporting the crush in a partly tilted condition. Tilting is carried out by attaching a tractor linkage 27 to an attachment point 28 provided on the top bar of the framework 11. The shape of the arcuate ramps is chosen having regard to the shape and size of the crush and of the animal 29 received therein. It is undesirable for the safety of the animal and of the farmer that the crush should roll over too rapidly.

It will be seen from the drawings that the supporting portions 25 and arcuate ramps 26 are formed from a single continuous tube, for smooth tilting. The use of a tractor linkage 27 enabies the movement of the crush to be controlled and also enables it to be pushed back from a horizontal condition as shown in Figure 3 to a vertical, upright condition.

In Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that the base member 1 3 has been displaced from its normal condition once the weight of the animal 29 has been removed from it. It may be completely removable or may be hinged to the framework at 30. This enables a farmer or Vet to gain access to the animal's feet and underparts. As previously referred to, the metal frame or frames 22 can be removed once the animal is strapped in place by the slings 21.

Of course, either side of an animal may require treatment and hence the crush is made in such a way that the animal can be put in facing either way round. Comparison of Figure 2 and Figure 3 will illustrate this feature.

In Figure 3, it can be seen that a head board 31 has been clamped to the end of the crush to support the animal's head during tilting. It will be appreciated that the head clamp 1 8 merely prevents large scale movement of the animal's head and the use of a head board is desirable to prevent the animal's head from dropping and perhaps fouling the lateral supports 24 during tilting. The head board comprises a wooden board and may have padding 32 and may also have its own restraining strap or sling 33.

In order to ensure that the weight of the animal is supported securely during tilting, one or more extra struts 34 may be provided to support the central regions of the side of the crush. These struts will extend laterally as far as the lateral supports 24.

Although, in the embodiment described above, lateral supports are provided only at one side of the crush, it would be possible to provide such supports at both sides. In this case, however, alterations might need to be made to the configuration of the supporting slings or straps 21 and the boards 20 might need to be more readily removable so that access could be gained to either side of the animal, depending on which way the crush was tilted in use.

It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the structure of the crush described above, without departing from the 'scope of the invention.

The cattle crush can readily be transported by using the three point linkage conventionally provided on a tractor. Suitable attachment brackets are provided on one or both of the sides of the crush which enable it to be lifted off the ground and transported in this manner.

Alternatively, other transportation means such as retractable or removable wheels or rollers could be provided if desired.

Claims (13)

1. A cattle crush comprising a framework defining a generally box-like enclosure to receive an animal, and having at each of its opposed ends an openable door, and at its base a base member, a pair of lateral supports extending from one side of the framework and including supporting portions spaced from and parallel to said side, and arcuate ramp means being provided extending from the base of the framework to the respective supporting portions so as to afford the continuous support for the framework for tilting from a vertical, upright condition in which it stands supported on its base, to a horizontal condition in which it is supported on said supporting portions.

2. A cattle crush according to Claim 1 wherein the supporting portions, arcuate ramp means and base are bounded by a pair of continuous generally arcuate elongate members, disposed at opposed ends of the crush.

3. A cattle crush according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein straps or slings are provided to reduce the risk of the animal being injured during tilting.

4. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim wherein each end of the crush has a head clamp adapted to hold and restrain the head of an animal in the crush.

5. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim wherein a headboard is provided at or adapted to be secured to one or both of the ends of the crush at said side.

6. A cattle crush according to Claim 5 wherein the headboard is padded.

7. A cattle crush according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the headboard has an associated sling or strap to restrain the animals head against the headboard.

8. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim wherein the base board is removable when the crush is in the horizontal condition.

9. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim wherein the base member is displaceable when the crush is in the horizontal condition.

10. A cattle crush according to Claim 9 wherein the base member is hinged at said side whereby it can be swung downwardly between the lateral supports when the crush is in the horizontal condition.

11. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim wherein the framework includes one or more displaceable side closure members at the other side of the crush remote from the lateral supports.

12. A cattle crush according to any preceding claim having attachment means four haulage means for tilting the crush.

13. A cattle crush substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.