GB2074003A

GB2074003A - Animal handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2074003A
Application number: GB8112356A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-04-22
Filing date: 1981-04-21
Publication date: 1981-10-28
Also published as: GB2074003B

Abstract

Animal handling apparatus comprises a frame structure 10 from which a cage 22 is suspended for weighing of an animal. At the end from which the animal will exit from the cage 22, a gate 52 is provided which is pivotally mounted on the cage 22 on an axis located substantially centrally of the sides of the cage 22. To open the cage 22, the gate 52 is pivoted to externally of one side and therefore does not obstruct the space within the cage. The gate 52 is biased to a closed position and can be opened from the other end of the cage 22 by means of a pull-cord 66. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to animal handling apparatus The invention is concerned with improvements in and relating to animal handling apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided animal handling apparatus comprising a base assembly in which an animal can be supported, a frame arrangement defining a pair of sides between which the animal can be penned and having at least one openable end, and gate means pivotally arranged to be movable between a first position preventing passage of an animal through the openable end, and a second position allowing passage of an animal therethrough, the gate means having a first axis so located as to prevent opening of the gate means by the application of a force thereto outwardly of the openable end.

Preferably the pivot axis is located substantially centrally between the sides, and the gate means may have upper and lower pivot arms, each of which is connected at one end to a substantially central location transversely of the gate means and at the other end is pivotally mounted on a cross member of the frame arrangement.

Preferably also means for effecting pivotal movement of the gate means is accessible from a location remote from the gate means and the means for effecting pivotal movement may be connected to the upper pivot arm. The gate means in said second position may be moved externally of one of the sides.

Advantageously the other end is openable and further gate means is movable between a first position preventing passage of an animal through the other end, and a second position allowing passage of an animal therethrough.

The base assembly with the frame arrangement may be suspended from a member of a support structure, weight measuring means being mounted on the support structure and having an operating part connected with the frame arrangement.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, an animal handling apparatus in the form of a pig weighing machine comprises a frame structure 10 having a base frame 12 provided at one end with a pair of wheels 14 and upstanding from each side of the base frame 12 an inverted substantially V-shaped frame 16, the frames 16 being interconnected by a cross member 18.

Aweight measuring device 20 is supported on the cross member 18 and itself supports a cage 22 having a floor 24 and a pair of side structures 26,28 connected with the floor 24. Each of the side structures 26, 28 has a peripheral frame member 30 defined by vertical legs 32, 34 at respective ends of the floor 24, and an upper horizontal leg 36 extending between the legs 32,34. Each of the side structures 26, 28 has a lower-side panel 37 and between the panel 37 and the upper leg 36 there are provided a plurality of spaced horizontal bars 38. The bar 38 defining the upper limit of the panel 36 pivotally mounts one end of a strut 40, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a respective part of the associated frame member 16. The upper legs 34 of the side structures 24,26 are interconnected by a plurality of spaced apart cross members 42.A central one of the cross members 42 is connected with the weight measuring device 20. The upper leg 34 of each of the side structures 24,26 pivotally mounts one end of a further strut 44, the other end of each strut 44 being pivotally connected to said respective part of the associated frame member 16.

At one end of the cage 22 there is provided a gate 46 hinged to the leg 32 of the side structure 26 and a clasp 48 is provided on the leg 32 of the side structure 28 for latching a pin 50 on the gate 46.

At the other end of the cage 22 there is provided a pivotable gate 52 which has an arcuate cross section and is pivotally mounted on the cage 22 with the pivot axis being located substantially centrally of the side structures 26, 28. The gate 52 has a plurality of spaced vertical members 54 and upper and lower horizontal members 56, 58 respectively. At a location substantially centrally of the upper member 56 there is mounted one end of a pivot arm 60, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on one of the cross members 42. Similarly, at a central location on the lower member 58, there is mounted one end of a lower pivot arm (not shown), the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a cross part (not shown) below the floor 24.A spring 62 extends between the upper pivot arm 60 and the cross member 42 to which the pivot arm 60 is pivotally connected, such that the spring 62 biases the gate into a closed position as shown. In this closed position the gate engages against an abutment or stop 64 provided on the leg 34 of the side structure 24.

To enable pivoting of the gate from the end of the cage 22 remote from the pivotal gate, a pull cord 66 is attached at one end to the upper pivot arm 60 and passes through a suitable guide 68 at the upper end of the frame member 16 adjacent to the side structure 28, such that pulling of the cord 66 by an operator will pivot the gate to an open position externally of the side structure 28.

A mechanism may be provided for clamping the cage 22 to the frame structure 10 when weighing is not required, for example when an animal is being led into or led from the cage 22. The clamping mechanism is manually operated and is in the form of an over-centre arrangement.

The described apparatus is suitable for easy and quick operation by a single person who can supervise entry of the animal through the end of the cage 22 having the hinged gate 46, check the weight of the animal and then open the pivotable gate 52 from the entry end of the cage to allow the weighed animal to exit from the cage and another animal to enter. Also the pivotable gate 52 is advantageous in that, in moving to a closed position, it does not obstruct in any way the space within the cage and cannot damage the animal, which is not the case with folding gates.

It will be appreciated that the pivotable gate may be of any other suitable construction provided that in one position it prevents passage of an animal through the respective end and in another position allows passage of the animal therethrough. It will also be appreciated the the apparatus may have a pivotable gate at each end while one or two pivotable gates may be used for other forms of animal handling apparatus than that described, for example apparatus for inspection and treatment of animals.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the means for effecting operation of the pivotable gate may be other than a pull cord, while the weight measuring apparatus may be positioned on the support structure in any other suitable position. Also, of course, the actual configuration of the support structure and/or the cage may differ.

Claims

1. Animal handling apparatus comprising a base assembly in which an animal can be supported, a frame arrangement defining a pair of sides between which the animal can be penned and having at least one openable end, and gate means pivotally arranged to be movable between a first position preventing passage of an animal through the openable end, and a second position allowing passage of an animal therethrough, the gate means having a first axis so located as to prevent opening of the gate means by the application of a force thereto outwardly of the openable end.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is located substantially centrally between the sides.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gate means has upper and lower pivot arms, each of which is connected at one end to a substantially central location transversely of the gate means and at the other end is pivotally mounted on a cross member of the frame arrangement.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein means for effecting pivotal movement of the gate means is accessible from a location remote from the gate means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the means for effecting pivotal movement is connected to the upper pivot arm.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gate means in said second position is moved externally of one of the sides.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the other end is openable and further gate means is movable between a first position preventing passage of an animal through the other end, and a second position allowing passage of an animal therethrough.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base assembly with the frame arrangement is suspended from a member of a support structure, weight measuring means being mounted on the support structure and having a operating part connected with the frame arrangement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the support structure mounts a pair of ground engageable wheels at one end.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for effecting pivotal movement comprises line means connected at one end to the upper pivot arm.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first-mentioned gate means has a substantially arcuate cross section.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein abutment means on the frame arrangement is engaged by the first-mentioned gate means in said first position.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means is provided for biasing the gate means to said first position.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the biasing means is a tension spring extending between the cross member and the upper pivot arm.

15. Animal handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.