GB819936A - Improved cow-bail - Google Patents

Abstract

819,936. Animal-holding appliances. CHASE, D. P. Jan. 3, 1957, No. 366/57. Class 81 (2). [Also in Group X] A cow-bail is provided with a single gate which controls the entrance or exit of the cow to or from the bail and also forms the movable part of a yoke for engaging the neck of the cow whilst the latter is in the bail. Figs. 1 and 3 show a pair of bails constructed in accordance with the invention, each being provided with a gate 1 hinged on a vertical arm of an inverted U-shaped member 2, the latter for example being embedded in the concrete of the floor. A tubular frame 3 in front of the member 2 supports feeders 8 and also carries the stationary parts of the yokes, i.e. vertical members 5 and horizontal members 6 and 7. The gates 1 are each connected by a link 12 to one end of a bell-crank 10, the elbow of which is pivotally mounted on cross members 11A extending between the arms of the member 2, and the free arm of which serves as an operating handle. By pivoting the bell-cranks with respect to the members 11A, the gates 1 can be brought to the position shown in Fig. 1, where they act as part of the yokes engaging the cows' necks, or they can be moved slightly away from this position in such a direction that the free edges of the gates approach each other, to allow the cows to enter the bails and gain access to the feeders 8 prior to bringing the gates to the position described above. Alternatively, the gates can be moved further towards each other so as to clear the feeders 8 completely and allow the cows to leave the bails. A curved member 15 mounted on the member 2 is provided with notches 14 for engagement by projections on the underside of the free ends of the bell cranks 10 to lock the gates in the position in which they act as part of the yokes, or in the position in which they allow the cows to enter the bails and gain access to the feeders.