GB2401300A

GB2401300A - Portable animal anti-kick device

Info

Publication number: GB2401300A
Application number: GB0310564A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alexander Mcfern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-08
Also published as: GB2401300B; GB0310564D0

Abstract

An animal anti-kick device for use on animals when placed in a cattle crush or crate. The device is attached to the crate by adjustable fixing devices 2. Runners 4 and wheels 5 allow lateral movement of the device for positioning over the animal. Action of the handle 9 acting upon the ratchet 10 causes lowering of the pressure pad 8 onto the back of the animal. Downward pressure onto its back, forces the animal to keep all four legs on the ground, thus preventing it from kicking out. On completion of treatment, the ratchet is released by means of a lever 17, allowing the pressure pads to be removed from the animal's back. The restraint is designed to fit onto a variety of animal handling units and to be used on a variety of different livestock.

Description

ANIMAL ANTi-KiCK RESTRAINT

The description

This invention relates to an animal anti-kick device especially, but not exclusively, for use in the restraining of cattle and similar animals.

In certain circumstances such as dehorning, castrating and belly clipping, it is necessary to have the animal in a cattle crush. Thus located, the animal is likely to be stressed and in addition can cause damage to itself or the farmer, vet or stockman performing the above procedures. It is well known among stockmen that significant advantages in reducing stress and inhibiting kicking are achieved by applying pressure at a specific point on an animal's back (known to stockmen as the Barium Point in the Lumbar/Thoracic region).

Apparatus for restraining animals has previously been proposed. A typical arrangement comprises bars of wood or steel being attached to the crush and located in front of the back legs. Such an arrangement is intended to stop the animal from kicking.

A disadvantage of such known apparatus is that generally it doesn't work effectively, causing additional stress to the animal. As a result the more aggressive cattle tend to kick out more, causing self injury or injury to any human within vicinity. The more timid animals may also suffer from stress.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device to fit onto a crush, which obviates or mitigates the disadvantages of the known prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising an attachment (with an adjustable arrangement allowing it to fit to various makes of existing crushes) with runners which allows a back and forth freedom of movement. The trolley device, which sits on the runners, supports an apparatus with adjustable vertical motion, controlled by a lever arrangement. The vertical displacement is applied through spring-loaded legs onto a contoured section, or narrow saddle, thus applying the pressure to the appropriate position on the animal's back. The degree of spring loading can be altered in order to accommodate the varying sizes and weights of animals. The contoured section may be cushioned in order to prevent damage to the animal's back.

The drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of the Anti-kick Device.

Figure 1 shows the component of the anti-kick device, which attaches to any size of crush, comprises of a width adjustment arrangement 1 and fixture devices 2. Fixing pins 3 are used to locate the fixture device 2. The runners 4, and wheels 5, permit lateral movement of the a main body of the anti-kick device. - The lower part of the anti-kick device comprises two springs 6, for pressure application, and are located on the legs 7, which are telescopic. A curved pressure pad 8 is provided at the lower end of the legs 7. This straddles the back of the animal, and should be located by the operator at the appropriate position on the animal's back.

A handle 9 is used to lower the pressure pad 8 by means of a ratchet 10. Once the appropriate pressure has been applied, the handle 9 can be detached from the anti-kick device. Brackets 11 on the telescopic legs 7 support the handle assembly 9.

The main body of the anti-kick device comprises of a chassis 12 onto which sit the telescopic leg assemblies 7, the ratchet 10, the handle assembly 9, and the wheels 5.

The legs 7 are a three stage telescopic assembly. The outer sections 13 are permanently fixed to the chassis 12. The middle sections 14 can be fixed at three heights, by means of a screw in bolt 15, depending on the vertical distance to be spanned between the pressure pad 8 and the animal's back. The end section 7 of the legs is connected directly to the ratchet 10 by toothed bar 17. Attached to the end of the legs 7 is the pressure pad 8.

In use the anti-kick device, Fig. 1, is fitted and positioned on the upper structural bars of the - crush by the user. The leg assemblies 7 are set to the correct length according to the height of animals to be attended to.

The device works by the manually operated handle 9 causing a vertically downward movement of the legs, which, in turn, applies vertical pressure at the Barium Point on the animal's back. It is the responsibility of the operator to locate the device onto the correct location using the forward and backward motion of the trolley. Once pressure pad 8 is correctly applied, the ratchet 10 holds the legs 7 in position. The animal is thus restrained, and will be inhibited from kicking, and it is anticipated that stress in the animal will be reduced.

When the veterinary procedures are complete, the operator releases the pressure by releasing the ratchet 10 and manually raising the legs 7 and pressure pad 8 assembly. The ratchet 10 is released by means of a lever 17 that uses cams to disengage the ratchet 10 from the toothed bar 16.

Figure 2 shows the anti-kick device in its fully extended state, i.e. the leg assembles 7 are at their maximum extension.

Figure 3 shows the anti-kick device in its fully retracted state, i.e. the leg assemblies 7 are fully retracted and the handles 9 have been removed. In this state the Anti-kick device can be stored, ready for transportation. / !

Claims

The claims 1. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint that will fit onto

most types of cattle crushes or crates.
2. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim uses a chassis with wheels mounted on runner guides to allow back and forth freedom of movement.
3. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim, which has a ratchet jack fitted to two telescopic legs to allow downward travel of a self-setting pressure pad that can fit a wide range of animals. '
4. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim that uses a self-setting I pressure pad, to apply pressure to an animal's spine that can fit a range of animals. i
5. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim that uses two springs that will act like a shock absorber when pressure is applied to the animals back i
6. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim where the contact surface of the self-setting pressure pad is padded to prevent damage to the animals.
7. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim, whereby the handles are used to actuate the telescopic legs and the pressure pad down onto the animal's back, and therefore restraining the animal.
8. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim wherein detachable or fixed handles will allow the ratchet jack to be operated from out side the crush or crate.
9. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim that uses the mechanical advantage of a lever against two cams to disengage the ratchet mechanism and release I the pressure imposed on the animal's back.
10. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim, which features two return I springs to assist the manual retention of the telescopic legs back to their retracted, position when the release mechanism is activated. I
11. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim that can be disassembled into one or more sub-assemblies for ease of storage and transportation.
12. A portable Animal anti-kick restraint as in any preceding claim that is manufactured from I any type of material knowing to man that is lightweight, facilitating portability.