IE85933B1 - Headage for livestock handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT This invention relates to livestock handling apparatus, and in particular a headgate adapted to restrain the head of an animal while the body of the animal is restrained in a handling crate.

Description

"Headgate for Livestock Handling Apparatus" This invention relates to livestock handling apparatus, and in particular a headgate adapted to restrain the head of an animal while the body of the animal is restrained in a handling crate.

When treating livestock, and especially cattle, it is well known to restrain the animal in a handling crate having at one end a headgate. The animal's head passes through the gate which then partially closes to prevent withdrawal, while its body is contained within the crate by side walls and a rump bar passing round the rear of the animal. Side gates are provided on the crate to give the farmer easy access to the animal. It is known to provide a headgate which has two opposing gates which in the "catch" position are slightly open toward the approaching animal, thereby allowing the animal to put its head through the gap between the gates. If the animal pushes further forward the gates close to a '‘hold’’ position in which the animal's neck is held between the gates. In the ‘‘hold'’ position the gates are coplanar with a small gap therebetween. The gates may have spring loaded bars on their inner edges, to urge the edges of the gates towards each other, but allowing the gap between the gates to be adjusted under spring bias to bear against the animal's neck.

The known headgate suffers from the problem that the gates must be pushed by the animal towards the '‘hold’’ position. It is possible for an animal to push briefly against the gates and then to pull its head back so that the gates move to the "hold" position without catching the animal’s neck. A further problem is that in the “catch” position the gates are angled towards the animal and do not present an attractive exit path for the animal. The animal may instead be attracted towards the recessed areas of the crate on either side of the gates, between the gate and the side wall of the crate.

If the animal does not immediately place its head through the headgate when urged into the crate, the animal is free to reverse out of the crate with consequent risk of injury to itself and to the farmer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a headgate which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a headgate for livestock handling equipment comprising: at least one gate having a neck bar arranged on the inner edge thereof, the at least one gate being adapted to move between a catch position in which the at least one gate is partially open to allow the head of an animal to pass the gate, a hold position in which the neck bar holds the neck of an animal, and an open position in which the animal can pass through the at least one gate; biasing means adapted to urge the at least one gate towards the hold position; a first latch which prevents the at least one gate moving from the hold position to the catch or open positions when closed; a second latch which holds the at least one gate in the catch position when closed; and a third latch which prevents the at least one gate moving to the open position when closed; wherein the at least one gate moves through the catch position when moving from the hold position to the open position.

Preferably the headgate comprises two opposed gates having neck bars arranged on the inner edges thereof, the gates being adapted to move between the catch position in which the neck bars of the gates are mutually spaced apart to allow the head of an animal to pass between the neck bars, the hold position in which the neck bars are spaced closer together than in the catch position to hold the neck of an animal, and the open position in which the animal can pass through the gates; wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the gates towards the hold position; wherein the first latch prevents the gates moving from the hold position to the catch or open positions when closed; wherein the second latch holds both gates in the catch position when closed; wherein the third latch prevents the gates moving to the open position when closed; and wherein the gates move through the catch position when moving from the hold position to the open position.

The second latch may be held closed by biasing of the gate or gates when the gate or gates are in the catch position. The second latch may be urged towards an open position by gravity or a spring biasing means, which can be overcome by the biasing force of the gate or gates pushing against the second latch to hold it open.

Preferably the second latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move forward from the hold position to the open position, but prevents the gate or gates from moving backward from the catch position to the hold position.

Preferably the first latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move backward from the catch position to the closed position, but prevents the gate or gates from moving forward from the hold position to the catch or open positions.

Preferably the third latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move backward from the open position to the catch position, but prevents the gate or gates from moving fonrvard from the catch position to the open position.

Preferably the headgate further comprises a latch opening means which is operable to open the first and third latches. The latch operating means may include a handle operable by an operator and a pivoted bar which acts to lift the first and third latches by engaging lifting points on the first and third latches .

The first and second latches may be operably interlinked such that closure of the second latch causes the first latch to be held open. They may further be operably interlinked such that release of the second latch from its closed position, for example by moving the gates fonrvard, causes the second latch to open and the first latch to close, provided that the first latch is not held open by the latch operating means.

The first latch may include a stop which abuts against the second latch to prevent the first and second latches both being closed at the same time.

Alternatively the stop can be provided on the second latch and can abut against the first latch. The first and second latches may be mounted to permit limited relative movement such that the first and second latches can both be open at the same time.

Preferably the or each gate includes a striking plate adapted to abut against at least one of the flrst, second and third latches. The latches can be arranged so that the same striking plate abuts against all three latches, or each gate can be provided with more than one striking plate, each striking plate being arranged to abut against one or more latches.

Preferably the headgate includes a latch frame which extends at least partially over the gate or gates. Preferably the first, second and third latches are pivotably mounted in the latch frame.

The first and second latches may be pivotably mounted on a common pivot axis.

Although the embodiment of the invention having two opposed gates is described in terms of a single first latch, a single second latch and a single third latch, each latch engaging both gates, it is to be understood that each single latch may be replaced with a pair or latches, each of which engages a corresponding gate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cattle crush comprising two opposed side walls, a headgateaccording to the first aspect arranged between the side walls at the front end of the cattle crush and an animal restraining means arranged between the side walls at the rear end of the cattle crush.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of holding an animal in a headgate comprising: holding at least one gate in a catch position in which the gate is partially open, the at least one gate being held in the catch position and prevented from closing by a second latch and being prevented from moving to an open position by a third latch, urging an animal to pass its head past the at least one gate and apply a fonivard force on the gates, using the fonrvard force on the at least one gate to move the at least one gate fonivard against a gate biasing means, thereby allowing the second latch to open and a first latch to close under a first latch biasing means, ' holding the at least one gate in a hold position in which the at least one gate holds the neck of the animal to prevent the animal moving fonivard or backward, the at least one gate being held in the hold position by the first latch, opening the first and third latches, allowing the animal to move forward thereby moving the at least one gate from the hold position through the catch position to an open position in which the animal can pass through the at least one gate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of holding an animal in a headgate comprising: holding two opposed gates having neck bars arranged on the inner edges thereof in a catch position in which the neck bars of the gates are mutually spaced apart, the gates being held in the catch position and prevented from closing by a second latch and being prevented from moving to an open position by a third latch, urging an animal to pass its head between the neck bars and apply a forward force on the gates, using the fonivard force on the gates to move the gates fonivard against a gate biasing means, thereby allowing the second latch to open and a first latch to close under a first latch biasing means, holding the gates in a hold position in which the neck bars of the gates hold the neck of the animal to prevent the animal moving fonivard or backward, the gates being held in the hold position by the first latch, opening the first and third latches, allowing the animal to move forward thereby moving the gates from the hold position through the catch position to an open position in which the animal can pass through the gates.

It is to be understood that while the gate or gates are in the hold position and hold the neck of the animal to prevent the animal moving fonlvard or backward, and before opening the first and third latches, the animal may be subject to any required treatment. The treatment does not form part of the invention.

Preferably the method includes the further step of: continuing to hold the first and third latches open while allowing the gate or gates to move from the open position to the catch position in which the gate or gates are prevented from closing by the closed second latch.

Preferably the method includes the further step of: allowing the third latch to close to prevent the gate or gates from moving to the open position, wherein the first latch is held open by the closed second latch.

Preferably the method is then repeated by urging another animal to pass its head past the gate or between the neck bars and apply a fonrvard force on the gate or gates.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a headgate according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line ll-ll through the headgate of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view from above of the latch frame of the headgate of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a schematic longitudinal section through the latch frame of Fig. 3; and Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic plan views showing the relationship of the gates and latches of the headgate of Fig. 1 in the catch position, the hold position and the open position respectively.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a headgate 10 for use with livestock handling equipment such as a cattle crush or crate. The headgate 10 is provided at the forward end of a cattle crush, for example the cattle crush disclosed in GB2386310. Typically there are two opposed side walls extending rean/vardly from the headgate, with gates being provided in the side walls to allow access to an animal held in the cattle crush. A rump bar may extend between the side walls at the rear of the cattle crush to further restrain the animal. The side walls and rump bar are not illustrated in the drawings.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2, the headgate 10 has two opposed gates 12,14 which are each fixed to a corresponding gate pivot bar 16, which is pivotably mounted on sleeves 17 attached to the upright stanchions 32 of the headgate. Each gate 12,14 has a fixed part 18 fixed to gate pivot bar, a top plate 24 which is also fixed to the gate pivot bar 16, and a sliding part 20 which can be retracted from the fixed part 18 of the gate. At the inner edge of the sliding part 20 is a neck bar 22 which is adapted to engage against the neck of an animal held in the headgate. The gap between the neck bars 22 can be adjusted by any suitable gate width adjustment mechanism 26. Such a mechanism is known in the art and is not described further. Further adjustment means (not shown) may be provided at the bottom of the gates 12,14. The sliding parts 20 of the gate may be spring loaded if required. However it is to be understood that the headgate 10 of the invention is not to be limited to one having the type of opposed gates 12, 14 illustrated.

The gates 12,14 are mechanically coupled in a manner known in the art to ensure that they open and close together. A gate spring 27 is provided to bias the gates towards a hold position 122 in which the gates are closed to hold an animal between the neck bars 22 (as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 5b).

At the top of each gate is a striking plate 24 which in the closed position abuts against the cross member 34 of the head gate frame. The headgate frame includes a base member 30, two stanchions 32 and the cross member 34.

The gates are arranged to open in a fon/vard direction, indicated by arrow A in Fig 2. A latch frame 40 extends from the headgate frame over the gates, and includes a first latch 42, a second latch 44 and a third latch 46, all pivotably supported from an opposed pair of frame side members 48.

The latches 42, 44, 46 are one way latches which allow the gates to pass in one direction only when the latch is closed, but to pass in both directions when the latch is open.

As best seen in Fig 3, the first latch 42 comprises a latch plate 50 pivotably mounted by means of a latch sleeve 52 on a pivot axis rod 54 which extends the frame side members 48. In the hold position 122 illustrated in Figs 2 and 5B the first latch 42 must withstand any forward force exerted by an animal held between the neck bars 22 to prevent the gates 12,14 from opening. The first latch 42 includes side plates 56, each provided with an abutment 58 which, when the first latch 42 is closed, rests on a first latch support bar 60 which extends from the headgate cross member. In Fig 3 the support bars 60 are shown in truncated form for clarity, but in practice these may extend to the pivot axis rod 54. The abutments 58 and support bars 60 support the first latch 42 under self weight of the latch in the closed position of the latch. The first latch 42 also includes a lifting point 62, which may be formed from a steel bar, whose function is described below. This enables the first latch 42 to be lifted from closed position shown in Fig 2 to the open position shown in Fig 3. On the underside of the first latch plate 50 is provided a stop 64, which is adapted to abut against the second latch 44 as described below.

The second latch 44 comprises a second latch plate 70, which is pivotably supported on the pivot axis rod 54, which also supports the first latch plate, by a pair of second latch sleeves 72. Underneath the second latch plate 70 is provided a bearing surface 74 which is adapted to bear against the stop 64 on the underside of the first latch plate 50, as best seen in Fig 4. When the first latch 42 is in the closed position, as indicated by solid line in Fig 4, the stop 64 prevents the second latch 44 from falling further, and the greater weight of the first latch 42 compared to that of the second latch 44 lifts the second latch plate 70 to an open position, such that the striking plates 28 on the gates 12,14 can pass freely underneath it.

The third latch 46 includes a third latch plate 80 pivotably supported by a third latch sleeve 82 on a pivot axis rod 84 which extends between the two side members 48 of the latch frame 40. A pair of latch plates 86 are fixed to the third latch plate 80 and include abutments 88, which each abut against the side members 48 of the latch frame 40 when the third latch 46 is in its closed position, as shown in Figs 2 and 3. The third latch 46 is provided with a lifting point 90, which may be formed from steel rod.

It is to be understood that the shapes and arrangements of the three latches 42, 44 and 46 are not limiting, and that the shape and arrangement of each latch may be varied, for the example by the addition of bracing members, stiffening plates and the like, or by varying the number and position of the sleeves 52, 72, 82, or by using latch plates 50, 70, 80 of a different size, shape or angle.

The action of the latches to control operation of the gates 12,14 will now be described with reference to Fig 4. In Fig 4 the first latch 42 and third latch 46 are shown in their closed or lower position in solid line, while the second latch is shown in its open or raised position. The broken lines show the first latch plate 50’ and third latch plate 80’ in the open or raised positions, while the second latch plate 70’ is shown in the closed or lower position.

When the first latch 42 is closed, the striking plate 28 of the gate is prevented from passing in a fon/vard direction, the direction of arrow A, but can pass in a rearward direction by pushing against the first latch plate 50 to raise the first latch 42. When the third latch 46 is in its closed position, the striking plate 28 of the gate is similarly prevented from moving in a fonrvard direction past the third latch 46, but can pass the third latch in a rearward direction by striking against the third latch plate 80 to raise the third latch’ 46.

When the first latch 42 is closed, the stop 64 bears against the bearing surface 74 on the second latch plate and raises or opens the second latch 44. In this position the striking plate of the gate can pass either forward or rearward past the second latch 44. When the first latch 42 is held in a raised position, the second latch plate 70’ is lowered to the position shown in broken line in Fig 4, and the striking plate 28 cannot move in a rearward direction past the second latch plate 70’. Since the gates 12,14 are biased by the gate spring 27 in a reanivard direction, the force exerted by the striking plate 28 on the second latch plate 70’ is sufficient to hold the first latch 42 in its raised position due to the bearing force of the bearing surface 74 on the stop 64 on the first latch plate 50’.

The operation of the headgate is now described with reference to Figs 5A, 5B and 5C. The latches 42, 44, 46 are shown schematically by rectangles. A cross in the rectangle indicates that the latch is closed or lowered. An empty rectangle indicates that the latch is open or raised. in Fig 5A the gates 12,14 are shown in the catch position 120. In this position the second latch 44 and third latch 46 are closed. The first latch 42 is raised, and it is held in a raised position by the urging action of the gate biasing means 27 which pushes the striking plate 28 against the second latch 44. Hence the gates 12,14 rest against the second latch 44.

An animal approaching the headgate in the forward direction of the arrow A is faced with a pair of gates 12,14 which are held ajar pointing away from the animal, rather than pointing toward the animal as is the case in the prior art. The animal is therefore encouraged to press its head against the partially open gates 12,14, and to pass its head between the mutually spaced apart neck bars 22.

As soon as the gates 12,14 move fonivards away from the second latch 44, pressed by the animal, the second latch 44 is no longer held in its closed position by the striking plate 28, and it is free to rise to its open position, urged by the greater weight of the first latch 42 which falls from its open position to its closed position. The latches are then in the arrangement shown in Fig 5B, in which the first latch 42 and third latch 46 are closed, while the second latch 44 is open. The third latch prevents the animal from opening the gates beyond a point at which the striking plates 28 contact the third latch 46, the position shown in broken line in Fig 5B.

In this position the neck bars remain spaced apart so that the animai can pass its head between the neck bars 22, but not its body. When the animal pulls its head back, the striking plates 28 are free to pass the raised second latch 44 and to push the first latch plate 50 upwards as they pass to reach the position in the solid line in Fig 5B. Once the striking plates 28 are past the first latch 42, the first latch 42 witl again fall to its closed position and hold the gates 12,14 in the hold position illustrated in Fig 5B.

The animal will remain with its neck between the neck bars 22 with the gates in the hold position 122 while the farmer or stockman carries out any operations necessary. The neck bars 22 are closer in the hold position than in the catch position and hold the neck of the animal firmly.

When the stockman requires to release the animal from the headgate 10, he operates the latch opening means 100 by pulling down on the handte 102. Since the latch opening means is pivoiably supported on a pivot mounting 106 on the headgate cross member 34, pulling down on the handle 102 causes the pivoted bar 104 to rise. As best seen in Fig 3 the pivoted bar 104 passes beneath the first latch lifting point 62 and the third latch lifting point 90, so operation of the handle 102 results in lifting of the lifting points to their raised position 62’, 90’, seen in Fig. 4, and raising of the first latch 42 and the third latch 46 to their respective open positions.

When the first and third latches 42, 46 are raised, the second latch 44 falls to its closed position under the effect of gravity, since it is no longer lifted by the stop 64 of the first latch plate 50. The first latch plate 50’, the second latch plate 70’ and the third latch plate 80' thus adopt the positions shown in broken line in Fig 4, and the gates 12,14 are free to move from the hold position 122 to the open position 124 illustrated in Fig 5C. The animal can then pass through the headgate 10 in a fonrvard direction.

If the stockman continues to hold the handle 102 down while allowing the gates 12,14 to close in a rearward direction under the action of the gate biasing spring 27, the first latch 42 and third latch 46 remain open, while the second latch 44 remains closed, as illustrated in Fig 5C. The gates will then come to rest against the second latch 44, since the second latch plate 70’ is in its lowered position. The stockman can then release the handle 102, allowing the third latch 46 to fall to its closed position, while the first latch 42 remains in its open or raised position because it is held in the lowered position by the striking plates 28 which are urged against it by the gate biasing spring 27. The gates 12, 14 are therefore easily returned to the catch position 120 illustrated in Fig 5A simply by keeping the handle 102 down while the gates close after the animal has passed. and releasing the handle 102 after the gates have come to rest against the second latch 44. The headgate 10 is then ready for the next animal to enter the crate and press‘ its head against the gates 12, 14 of the headgate 10.

The invention offers a number of advantages over prior art headgates. An animal is more likely to proceed to place its head between a gap in two gates which are partially open, if the gates point away from the animal, that is in the forward direction A, than if they point towards the animal, that is if they point in the backward direction. Only a small pressure is needed to trigger the mechanism which results in the raising of the second latch 44 and the closing of the first latch 42. If the animal first pushes against the gates to trigger the closing of the first latch 42 and then tries to reverse, it will only succeed in pulling the gates with it to the hold position 122. In the prior art headgates the animal will tend to urge the gates open when reversing.

With prior art headgates an animal feels a tightening of the neck bars around its neck as it first pushes forward, while in the present invention the initial forward movement of the animal, as the gates 12,14 move from resting against the second latch 44 to abutting the third latch 46, results in the neck bars 22 moving apart from each other. This results in the animal experiencing less stress, making it safer for the stockman to carry out the operations on the animal.

It required it is possible to include an additional latch mechanism to the rear of the headgate, that is on the opposite side of the gates to the illustrated latches 42, 44, 46, so that the animal can be released backwards if required. Such a latch is well known in prior art headgates.

Such a latch would be operated by a separate opening mechanism handle from the opening mechanism 100 and handle 102 used to operate the first latch 42 and third latch 46.

Although the invention has been described with reference to an embodiment in which there ias a pair of opposed gates 12, 14, it is possible to provide a headgate according to the invention with a single gate 12. The latches 42, 44, 46 act in the same way on the single gate. In the catch position the gate is partially open and presents a gap between the neck bar 22 on the gate 12 and the headgate stanchion or post 32 opposite the post 32 to which the gate 12 is hinged. In the closed position the_ gap between the neck bar 22 and the headgate stanchion 32 is smaller and holds the anima|’s neck firmly. In the open position the gate is fully open allowing the animal to pass through.

Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which the latches 42,44,46 each act on the striking plates 28 of both gates 12,14, other arrangements of latch are possible, and instead there may be provided two sets of first, second and third latches, each set acting on the striking plate 28 of one gate. The latches may have different forms and shapes from those illustrated in the drawings. Each gate 12, 14 may be provided with more than one striking plate 28, each striking plate being arranged to engage with one or more particular latches.

Although the first latch 42 and second latch 44 are shown sharing a common pivot axis 54, they may instead be mounted on separate pivot axes, and may be operably interlinked in any suitable manner to ensure that the first latch 42 is held in a raised position while the second latch 44 is held in a closed position, and vice versa.

The preferred material for the headgate is steel, but any suitable material may be used.

If it is required to allow opening of the gates in a rearward direction, then the design of the striking plates 28 and headgate cross member 34 must be adapted so that the striking plates 28 can pass beneath the cross member 34. In such a case the gates are held against a further latch (not illustrated) on the rearside of the headgate 10, instead of against the cross member 34, when in the hold position 122.

The gates 12, 14 of the headgate 10 may include further apparatus (not illustrated) such as an adjustable poll bar to limit upward movement of the animal's neck, or gate handles to assist the stockman in operating the gates.

A separate safety lifting means (not illustrated) may be provided to enable lifting of the first latch 42 alone, while leaving the third latch 46 closed.

This safety lifting means may be any suitable mechanism, for example a handle and lever or a lifting cord, arranged such that a stockman can operate the safety lifting means if an animal causes the gates 12, 14 to move to the hold position without holding the neck of the animal. In such circumstances it is necessary to reset the gates 12, 14 to the catch position, but without opening the third latch 46. If the third latch was open the animal would be able to surge fonlvards against the gates and push them from the hold position to the open position. The stockman can operate the safety lifting means to open the first latch 42, thereby allowing the stockman to push the gates from the hold position to the catch position, with the third latch preventing the gates from opening all the way to the open position.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (20)

1. A headgate for livestock handling equipment comprising: at least one gate having a neck bar arranged on the inner edge thereof, the at least one gate being adapted to move between a catch position in which the at least one gate is partially open to allow the head of an animal to pass the gate, a hold position in which the neck bar holds the neck of an animal, and an open position in which the animal can pass through the at least one gate; biasing means adapted to urge the at least one gate towards the hold position; a first latch which prevents the at least one gate moving from the hold position to the catch or open positions when closed; a second latch which holds the at least one gate in the catch position when closed; and a third latch which prevents the at least one gate moving to the open position when closed; wherein the at least one gate moves through the catch position when moving from the hold position to the open position.

2. A headgate according to claim 1 comprising: two opposed gates having neck bars arranged on the inner edges thereof, the gates being adapted to move between the catch position in which the neck bars of the gates are mutually spaced apart to allow the head of an animal to pass between the neck bars, the hold position in which the neck bars are spaced closer together than in the catch position to hold the neck of an animal, and the open position in which the animal can pass through the gates; '1 wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the gates towards the hold position; wherein the first latch prevents the gates moving from the hold position to the catch or open positions when closed; wherein the second latch holds both gates in the catch position when closed; wherein the third latch prevents the gates moving to the open position when closed; and wherein the gates move through the catch position when moving from the hold position to the open position.

3. A headgate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second latch is held closed by biasing of the gate or gates when the gate or gates are in the catch position.

4. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the second latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move from the hold position to the open position.

5. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the first latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move from the catch position to the closed position.

6. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the third latch is a one way latch which when closed allows the gate or gates to move from the open position to the catch position.

7. A headgate according to any preceding claim, further comprising a latch opening means which is operable to open the first and third latches.

8. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second latches are cperably interlinked such that closure of the second latch causes the first latch to be held open.

9. A headgate according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the first and second latches are cperably interlinked such that release of the second latch from its closed position causes the second latch to open and the first latch to close, provided that the first latch is not held open by the latch operating means.

10. A headgate according to claim 9, wherein the first latch includes a stop which abuts against the second latch to prevent the first and second latches both being closed at the same time.

11. A headgate according to claim 10, wherein the first and second latches are mounted to permit limited relative movement such that the first and second latches can both be open at the same time.

12. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each gate includes a striking plate adapted to abut against at least one of the first, second and third latches.

13. A headgate according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third latches are pivotedly mounted in a latch frame extending at least partially over the gate or gates.

14. A headgate according to claim 13, wherein the first and second latches are pivotedly mounted on a common pivot axis.

15. A cattle crush comprising two opposed side walls, a headgate according to any preceding claim arranged between the side walls at the front end of the cattle crush and an animal restraining means arranged between the side walls at the rear end of the cattle crush.

16. A method of holding an animal in a headgate comprising: holding at least one gate in a catch position in which the gate is partially open, the at least one gate being held in the catch position and prevented from closing by a second latch and being prevented from moving to an open position by a third latch, urging an animal to pass its head past the at least one gate and apply a fon/vard force on the gates, using the forward force on the at least one gate to move the at least one gate fowvard against a gate biasing means, thereby allowing the second latch to open and a first latch to close under a first latch biasing means, holding the at least one gate in a hold position in which the at least one gate holds the neck of the animal to prevent the animal moving forward or backward, the at least one gate being held in the hold position by the first latch, opening the first and third latches, allowing the animal to move forward thereby moving the at least one gate from the hold position through the catch position to an open position in which the animal can pass through the at least one gate.

17. A method of holding an animal in a headgate comprising: holding two opposed gates having neck bars arranged on the inner edges thereof in a catch position in which the neck bars of the gates are mutually spaced apart, the gates being held in the catch position and prevented from closing by a second latch and being prevented from moving to an open position by a third latch, urging an animal to pass its head between the neck bars and apply a forward force on the gates, using the fon/vard force on the gates to move the gates forward against a gate biasing means, thereby allowing the second latch to open and a first latch to close under a first latch biasing means, holding the gates in a hold position in which the neck bars of the gates hold the neck of the animal to prevent the animal‘ moving forward or backward, the gates being held in the hold position by the first latch, opening the first and third latches, allowing the animal to move forward thereby moving the gates from the hold position through the catch position to an open position in which the animal can pass through the gates.

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, including the further step of: continuing to hold the first and third latches open while allowing the gate or gates to move from the open position to the catch position in which the gate or gates are prevented from closing by the closed second latch.

19. A method according to claim 18, including the further step of: allowing the third latch to close to prevent the gate or gates from moving to the open position, wherein the first latch is held open by the closed second latch.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the steps of claim 16 or 17 are repeated.