IE53040B1 - An animal handling cart - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing 4 mounted on a chassis comprises a slatted floor, an end entrance formed from a door hingedly mounted about a substantially horizontal axis, an end exit and a pair of longitudinal sides 9 extending between the entrance and exit; an aperture is provided in the end exit through which the head of the animal 21 projects, and retaining means, formed from a halter 31 is slidably movable relative the housing 4 to draw the head of the animal through the aperture. The halter 31 comprises an I-section support which is mounted in an adjustable neck embracing strap 33 and a nose embracing noose at one end of a rope, the other end of which is wound around a winch. One use for the cart is in de-horning young calves.

Description

The invention relates to carts, paiticularly adapted for handling and transporting farmyard animals, including cows, sheep, pigs and particularly calves.

Transporting farm animals such as calves from one location to another generally presents difficulties to the farmer. Various tractor mounted trailers are known, however, these are expensive and because of their large size, particularly in combination with the tractor are inconvenient to‘use * ' in confined spaces such as animal rearing sheds. Further, it is difficult to confine an animal in such trailers.

It is also often necessary to confine healthy calves for other reasons such as for de-horning.

This invention is directed towards providing an animal handling cart which will overcome these problems.

According to the invention there is provided an animal handling cart ojuprising a wheeled chassis and a housing mounted on the chassis, the housing comprising a platform for supporting an animal, an end entrance and an end exit and a pair of longitudinal sides extending between the entrance and exit, the end exit having an aperture through which the head of an animal confined within the housing projects, and a halter for confining the head of an animal In a position projected through the aperture, the halter being slidably -3movable relative to the housing for drawing the head of an animal through the aperture.

Typically the halter comprises a neck embracing strap and a nose embracing noose, mounted on a slide means, the nose embracing noose being tightened on sliding the halter relative the housing to draw the head of an animal through the aperture.

The cart may include a pair of spaced-apart extension arms projecting rearwardly of the housing adjacent the lo aperture, a support extending transverse of the arms and guide means mounted on the support, the slide means co-operating with the guide means to draw the head of an animal through the aperture.

Typically the slide means comprises an I-beam, and the guide means comprises a pair of inverted inwardly directed L-shaped beams spaced-apart to define therebetween a complementary guide slot for engagement by the I-beam, on drawing the head of an animal through the aperture.

In one embodiment of the invention the pulling means are - 4 provided for sliding the halter relative the housing.

Preferably the pulling means is a winch.

Typically, the winch comprises a rope wound at one end around a winding bar and having a loop at the other end attached to the nose embracing noose of the halter, the noose being initially tightened on winding the bar before the I-beam mcves through the guide slot tc draw the head of an animal through the aperture.

In another embodiment of the inveition the winch incorporates a_ stop mechanism.

Preferably the stop mechanism is a ratchet anc pawl mechanism.

Ir. another embodiment of the invention the longitudinal sices diverge inwardly from, the end entrance to the end exit.

In s further embodiment of the invention the end entrance comprises a doer hingedly mounted about a substantially horizontal axis to define a loading ramp in its lowered prsirior..

Ir. another embodiment of the invention the platform comprises a slatted floor.

Usually a handle Is provided at the free end of each extension arm.

In one embodiment of the invention a stabilising leg depending downwardly from the chassis to balance the cart in the rest position.

In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention the cart is adapted for handling a calf. 530 40 - 6 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an animal handling 5 cart according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cart of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the cart of Figs. 1 anc 2, Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the cart of Figs 1 to 3, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale of a halter mechanism and winch forming part of the cart of Figs. 1 tc 4.

Referring tc the drawings, there is illustrated a cart for handling animals and in this case, particularly for handling calves, indicated generally be the reference numeral 1. The cart 1 comprises a chassis including an axle 2 having a pair of spaced-apart ground engaging wheels 3 journaled thereon and a housing 4 mounted on a chassis 5.

A pair of front stabilising legs 15 extend downwardly from the chassis 2 to stabilise the cart in the loading and transporting positions.

The housing 4 comprises * platform armed by a slatted floor 6 for supporting a calf, an end entrance 7, an end exit 8 and a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal sides 9 diverging inwardly from the end entrance 7 to the exit 8. The end exit 8 and sides 9 are constructed from, sheet steel welded into an angle iron re-inforcing framework 10.

The end entrance 7 is of sheet steel material forming a door hingedly mounted about a substantially horizontal axis by hinges 11 carried by the frame 10. Re-inforcing bars 12 extend upwards from the hinges 11 to re-inforce the door 8. Quick release latches 13 interfitting in complementary keepers (not shown) mounted on the frame 10 are provided for locking the door in the closed position. The end entrance 7 is cranked outwardly at its side edges to form guide lips 14 for directing a calf up the ramp during loading. In use, the door 7 is lowered in the direction of the arrow A about the hinge 11 to form a ramp for loading and unloading a calf. The ramp is shown in the lowered position by the interrupted lines 7a in Figs. 1 and 2.

The end exit 6 is formed with a cut-out aperture 20 of generally square construction as shown particularly in Fig. 4through which the head and portion cf the body of the calf 21 confined within the housing projects. A pair of spaced-apart extension arms 23 are bolted by belts 24 to and extend rearwarcly of the frame 10 adjacent the aperrure 20. Each arm 23 is provided with shaped lifting handles 25 at their free -εends for drawing the cart 1 from one location to another. Re-inforcing bracing members 26 extend between the lifting handles 25 and the frame 8. The spacing between the lifting handles 25 is such as to allow a single workman to draw or push the cart from one location to another bygripping the handles.

The cart 1 includes a retaining means for confining the head of an animal in a position projected through the aperture. In this case the retaining means is formed from lo a halter 31 comprising an I-section support 32, an adjustable neck embracing strap 33 and a nose embracing noose 34 at one end of a rope 36. The I-section support 32 comprises a pair of spaced-apart horizontal webs 35 and a vertical web 36 extending between the webs 35. A steel strap support 37 welded to the horizontal web 35 of the I-section houses the neck strap 33. A nose receiving cradle 39 is welded to the horizontal web 35 and interconnected with the strap support 37 by bracing members 40. Each bracing member 40 carries a ring 41 through which the noose 34 is led. The noose 34 is also led through a guide ring 42 welded to the leading end of the cradle 39.

The I-support 32 essentially forms a slide means which is slidable in a complementary guide means comprising a pair of inverted L-sections 45 spacec-apart to define therebetween an elongate guide slot 46 through which the vertical web 36 of -9the I-support 32 is drawn. The sections 45 are welded to a pair of spaced-apart slide supports 47 extending transversely between the extension arms 23. It will be noted that the leading edges of the L-sections 45 and the I-sections support 32 are radiussed to provide lead-ins for interengagement of the I-section 32 in the guide slot 46.

The noose 34 is formed at the end of a nylon winch rope 38 the other end of which is fixed to a winch arm or spindle 51 rotatably mounted in bearings 52 on the extension arms 23. The bar 51 is rotated by a cranked handle 55. Means are provided for controlled rotation of the spindle 51 and in this case the means is a stop mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel 53 fixed on the spindle 51 and a complementary pawl 54 mounted on one of the extension arms 23. The pawl and ratchet mechanism, prevents a calf strapped into the halter 31 from unwinding the rope 50 from the spindle 51 and hence freeing itself. The mechanism also allows controlled rotation of the spindle when drawing a calf onto the cart.

In use, the cart 1 is drawn or pushed by a workman gripping the handles 25 and leading the cart 1 into the cesirec position for transporting a calf for example into an animal rearing shed. The end entrance gate 5 is then lowered and the calf pushed into the cart. The halter 31 is then led over the head of the calf and the head is secured by the neck strap 33 and nose noose 34. The halter 31 is then -10drawn forwardly by the winch to entice the animal's head through the aperture 20 until the sides of the aperture bear against the calf and confine it in position in the cart. Finally, the end entrance door 5 is closed.

It will be appreciated that the cart may be used for many other purposes. For example, the cart and halter mechanism can be used for de-horning calves. In this case the calf is firmly fastened with the halter mechanism, and the dehorning operation carried out. Another use is for training young calves for large calf feeders, in which case a bucket with a nipple attached is fastened to the end exit β and projects through the cut-out aperture 20.

In addition, the cart may be used for collecting newly born calves from a shed by pulling them into the cart using the winch mechanism. In this case a halter may not be necessary, a winch rope being tied to the hind legs of the calf anc drawn up the ramp and into the cart. The calf may ther. be hosed down and the waste material discharged through the slatter floor.

One advantage of the invention is that it provides a relatively inexpensive multi-purpose small cart paritcularly for calves which may be easily manoeuvred and operated by a single workman. -11The particular advantage of the wedge-shaped housing is in more closely confining the calf and in allowing one housing to be slid into another for stock piling during manufacture.

The particular advantage of the rectancular-shaped cut-out in the end exit is to allow a clear run for the halter mechanism and the head of an animal. It will of course be appreciated that the aperture may be of any convenient shape.

The particular advantage of a slatted floor platform is in allowing the housing to be readily cleaned. Any open-work construction such as platform of expanded metal mesh may be used for this purpose. It will of course be appreciated that it is not essential for the floor to be of an open construction it may, for example, be of sheet steel material and may in sane cases be inclined from the end entrance to the end exit to provide a free flowing passage for waste material.

It will also be appreciated that the end exit, entrance and sides need net necessarily be cf sheet steel material, they may, for example, be of timber construction. Indeed, the;,· may be of open-work construction formed from rectangular interconnected cage units.

It will also be appreciated that any suitable construction of halter mav be used other than the one described. Indeed, 530 40 -12any suitable retaining means for confining the head of an animal in position projected through the aperture may be used.

In some cases the halter or retaining means need not necessarily be slidable relative the housing but may be fixed in position for closely confining the head of an animal.

It will further be appreciated that in the case where the retaining means or halter mechanism is slidable relative lo the housing any construction of complementary slide and guide means may be employed. Thus, the guide means may comprise a rail or tract and the slide means comprise a complementary shaped groove, for example, provided by the run of a wheel movable along the tract or rail.

Claims (16)

1. C1AIMS

1. An animal handling cart comprising a wheeled chassis and a housing mounted on the chassis, the housing comprising a platform for supporting an animal, an end entrance and an end exit and a pair of longitudinal sides extending 5 between the entrance and exit, the end exit having an aperture through which the head of an animal confined within the housing projects, and a halter for confining the head of an animal in a position projected through the aperture, the halter being slidably movable relative 10 to the housing for drawing the head of an animal through the aperture.

2. An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 1 in which the halter comprises a neck embracing strap and a nose embracing noose, mounted on a slide means, the 15 nose embracing noose being tightened on sliding the halter relative the housing to draw the head of an animal through the aperture.

3. An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 2 in which the cart includes a pair of spaced-apart extension 20 arms projecting rearwardly of the housing adjacent the aperture, a support extending transverse of the arms and guide means mounted on the support, the slide means cooperating with the guide means to draw the head of an -14530 40 enlmal through the aperture.

4. An animal handling eart ae claimed in claim 3 in vshich the elide means comprises an I-beam, and the guide aeans comprises a pair of inverted Inwardly directed X.5 shaped beams spaced-apart to define therebetween a complementary guide slot for engagement by the I—beam, on drawing the head of an animal through the aperture.

5. An animal handling cart as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 4 in which pulling means are provided for sliding the 10 halter relative the housing.

6. An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 5 in which the pulling means is a winch.

7. An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 6 in which the winch comprises a rope wound at one end around a winding 15 bar and having a loop at the other end attached to the nose snbracing noose of the halter, the noose being initially tightened on winding the bar before the I-beam moves through the guide slot to draw the head of an animal through the aperture. 20 S- An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the winch incorporates a stop mechanism.

8. 9. An animal handling cart as claimed in claim 8 in which the stop mechanism is * ratchet and pawl mechanism.

9. 10. An animal handling cart as claimed In any preceding claim in which the longitudinal aides diverge Inwardly from the end entrance to the end exit. 5

10. 11. An animal handling cart as claimed in any preceding claim in which the end entrance comprises a door hingedly mounted about a substantially horizontal axis to define a loading ramp in its lowered position.

11. 12. An animal handling cart as claimed in any preceding 10 claim in which the platform comprises a slatted floor.

12. 13. An animal handling cart as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 12 in which a handle is provided at the free end of each extension arm.

13. 14. An animal handling cart as claimed in any preceding

14. 15 claim including a stabilising leg depending downwardly from the chassis to balance the cart in the rest position. 15. An animal handling cart as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cart is adapted for handling a calf.

15. 16. An animal handling cart substantially as hereinbefore

16. 20 described with reference to the drawings.