GB940392A - Improvements in or relating to a device for holding sheep and the like animals - Google Patents

Abstract

940,392. Animal holding appliances. N. R. WOODS, and W. H. CLARK. Aug. 2, 1960, No. 26805/60. Heading A5R. An animal holding device comprises a frame with a horizontal pivot on which an animal holder is pivotal at or near its upper edge on one side of the frame and a cradle parallel to the holder on the other side of the frame for the reception of an animal which is inverted or turned on its side as the holder is pivoted. The frame consists of two base supports 1, 2 one of which supports vertical members 3a, 3b, at the entrance of the holder, the other supporting a frame 4 closing the other end of the holder. Stub axles 8 disposed on one vertical member and on one side of the frame 4 rotatably support a tube 13 which carries the holder. The holder comprises tubular members 14 fixed to the rotatable tube and forming one side 11 and a support for a floor 12, the other side 10 of the holder, which carries a counterweight 23, being pivotal on a bar interconnecting the floor-supporting portions of the members 14. A handle 20 is fixed to the pivotal side 10. A chain 26 extends between the rotatable tube 13 and the pivotal side to limit movement of the holder sides away from each other. The cradle 28 is supported by cylindrical sleeves 29 on the rotatable tube which is rotatable independently of the connections. The cradle is supported by an adjustable brace 35 and comprises a downwardly extending curved portion, comprising curved members 31 and slats 33, which is hinged at its lower edge to a similarly constructed upwardly extending curved portion. The upper edges of the cradle portions are interconnected by an adjustable chain 39 which supports the neck of an animal in the cradle and thus tends to cause the portions of the cradle to approach one another. In use, the animal is driven into the holder, the handle 20 is pivoted towards the opposite side of the holder so that first the sheep is gripped between the sides and then the holder is rotated on the stub axles to invert and raise the animal to such a position that it may easily be transferred to the cradle. Chains 27 interconnecting one side of the holder and one base support prevent access beneath the holder when it is in raised position. In an alternative construction one end of the cradle is connected to the frame only by a ball joint (not shown) the other end being supported on a bar extending from the frame, the cradle thus being pivotal in a horizontal and a vertical plane so that it may be arranged at right angles to the holder or inclined towards or in contact with the ground.