IES86516B2 - An upward posture mobile adjustible platform to shear sheep - Google Patents

Abstract

An upright posture, adjustable, mobile platform to shear sheep which is adjustable in height. The unit is designed to remove back-bending, manual physical effort for the sheep shearer. Its platform is height adjustable with manual/pneumatic/hydraulic foot-operated controls, with a rotational/tiltable (manual/automatic via foot pedals), allowing ease of access to the sheep. The gates of the shearing platform open out to allow access to the sheep. There are padded straps to secure the sheep in place while shearing/tilting the table. The table is extendible on both sides. An upright posture, adjustable, mobile platform to shear sheep allows 99 percent of the worldwide population to shear sheep - the shearer may stand/sit while shearing. <Figure 4>

Description

Field of Invention: The invention relates to a height adjustable ,tilt able , rotational, mobile work bench/platform unit to shear sheep.

This allows any person to shear sheep efficiently with minimal physical discomfort, without 10 difficulty- i.e. removing awkward postures, physical effort normally endured when shearing sheep.

Background: The current common practice to shear sheep involves the Shearer placing the sheep on the ground, holding and positioning, restraining the sheep with the Shearers arms, legs, feet, while using a shearing machine to remove the fleece .This work requires a lot of manual effort, physical exertion, back bending, skill and technique.

This upward posture shearing platform will remove the back bending and the physical exertion required to hold, restrict, turn the sheep during sheep shearing.

Statement of Invention: This unit is an upward posture, adjustible, mobile platform to shear sheep, comprised of a physical adjustible height platform , fixing the height by a ratchet and notch , the table /platform is rotational. The standing height could be set at a fixed height and left at this height to suit the User.

When the sheep enters the platform/ unit, through gates to the platform,the sheep restrained by straps, during shearing.

When one side of the sheep is sheared, then rotate the table/platform to access the other side of the sheep.

It is important that the fleeces is removed a whole unit.

It is important that the Shearer can use both his hands freely during sheep shearing.

The advantages of An upward posture, adjustible, mobile platform to shear sheep are: Adjustable working height Fully Rotational table Tilt able table Padded sides, padded floor, padded belts to restrict the sheep in place during turning/ shearing Pull out table sides to the platform to hold the fleece.

The platform may also allow the sheep to be dagged (cleaned prior to shearing).

The average length of time to shear a sheep is 1-8 minutes.

This only allows the Sheep Shearers who are fit for the job to shear, outruling a large percentage 15 of people who own sheep , This unit will allow any person to shear their own sheep as it removes the awkward back bending postures during shearing.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Figure 1: Shows the frontal view of the upward posture shearing unit.

Figure 1: (Figure 1,1, 1,2): shows frontal view and side view respectively of the adjustible height mechanism, via a ratchet /notch to lock the height of the platform height.

Figure 1,3 shows gates to the platform unit: frontal and side view.

Figure 1,4 shows the non conductive tubular bars of the unit, frontal view.

Figure 1,5 shows the wheels of the unit: side view Figure (1,6,3,5 ) shows the base of the platform unit: frontal view Figure 2 : Figure 2,1: Shows the rotational mechanism of the unit, front view Figure 2,2 shows the circular ball bearings, on which the rotational mechanism is positioned : side view Figure 2,3 shows the padded non conductive mats for the unit: frontal view.

Figure 2,4 shows the the restraining strap for the sheep : front view Figure 3: Figure 3,1 - front view),: Shows the tilt mechanism Figure 3,2- side partial view): shows the central bar running underneath the length of the platform unit.

Figure 3,3; front view: shows the extendible table of the unit, figure 3,4 front view: shows the ridges on which the extendible table moves in and out of position Figure 4: Figure 4,1: Shows frontal view of the unit, with a sheep in standing position, with the gates to the unit open.

Figure 5: Figure 5,1: Shows the sheep lying on its back, with restraining strap in position to secure the sheep, with the gates to the unit opened back.

Detailed Description : 1. An Upward Posture, Adjustible, Mobile Platform to Shear Sheep : Platform/table- shown in Figure 1 of 5 : the upward posture shearing platform will provide an adjustable working height suitable to 99% of the worldwide population for sheep shearers , the working height of platform/table to be adjustible from a height range of 26” (inches) to 47” (inches): (figure 1,1), via a ratchet /notch to lock the height ofthe platform and the platfonn height can remain locked in position for the User (Figure 1,2). These height adjustment dimensions are important for the design , as they refer to ergonomic recomendations ,to accomodate 99% of the worldwide population for work in the standing, seated position.The height can be adjusted manually , the height could be set at a fixed height, manually, at a suitable height to the User, via a ratchet /notch to lock the height of the platform and the platform height can remain locked in position for the User (Figure 1,2).

The upward posture shearing platform is to be capable of taking a weight load up to 130 kgs. Gates at either end and sides of the platform/ table will allow the sheep entry/ exit to the platform/ table- gates manually opened/closed by the Shearer- (figure 1,3). The gates can be clipped/hooked on to the platform to keep them open for the Shearer, as required.

The upward posture shearing platform will be rotational (figure 2,1) to allow the Shearer to turn the platform rather than walking around the platform to shear the sheep. The platform will rotate on a circular ring , underneath which are circular ball bearings, on which the circular ring is positioned on (figure 2,2). The tilt mechanism may also be operated by a manual operated swivel/ tilt mechanism via a centralbar running underneath the length of the platform, turning on a circular wheel to allow the platfrom to tilt (figure 3,1), the degree of tilt can be up to 360 degrees, locking the platform in place via a locking pin mechanism to secure the platfrom at this tilt (Figure 3,2). It may also allows ease of access around the sheep to the underbelly and to all sides of the sheep when shearing. This also reduces neck and forward flexion ( back bending, reaching forward ) for the Shearer.

The sides of the platform will open away form the User to allow access to the sheep- pneumatic / manual operated/gate open/close bolt mechanism (Figure 1,3).

The sides, floor, roof of the platform is padded with non conductive mats/material (Figure 2,3 ), There are four padded straps , with spring hooks at either end of the straps to restrict the sheep during shearing if required ( Figure 2,4). These straps are made from non conductive material, example rubber, at each end of the strap is a spring hook, which can connect onto the bars of the shearing platform, to restrain the sheep during shearing (Figure 2,4).These straps can be moved as required during the shearing process.

The platform/table will be extendible at either side of the longitudinal aspect of the platform to hold the fleece( figure 3,3). The fleece must be shorn in one whole unit, collected and removed by the wool handler to the wool bag. The extendable pull out table extensions can be half moon shaped or rectangular shaped to allow ease of access for the wool handler/Shearer (Figure 3,3).

The tables are made from non conductive material, manually extendable. The tables are extended /reinserted to underneath the platform, positioned on two grooves( Figure 3,4) to allow them be pulled in/out as required.

Having the sheep in a restricted platform for shearing will also allow the sheep to be cleaned ( dagged) prior to the shearing process, The gates, sides of the platform consist of tubular bars, non conductive material (Figure 1 ,4). The base of the platform can be made from flat non conductive material- example wood, with non conductive bars running underneath. Each side and floor of the platform is padded with non conductive material- example - rubber padding( Figure 2,3) during the shearing process. Sheep shearing is an electricity powered operation, Care has to be taken at all times re. safe use of electrical appliances on farms ( not part of this patent design). The extendible tables are made of the same material as the floor of the platform, non conductive material, (figure 3,3).

The upward posture shearing platform will be on non conductive wheels to allow mobility for the workstation.(Figure 1,5). A base platform( non conductive ) will be located on top of the wheels to support the stability of the whole structure (the upward posture shearing platform unit) plus the weight of the sheep (Figure 1,6, figure 3/5).

Recommended Ergonomic measurements for work at a standing height : for heavy work 4-6” (inches) below elbow height, for light work just below elbow height and for precision work a standing height of 4” above elbow level.

General ergonommic recommendations advise keeping work above knee height and below shoulder height.

A foot stool during prolonged standing combats fatigue.

A seat adjustable in height can also be provided (both foot stool and height adjustable chair are not part of this design).

Claims (1)

1. Claim:

1. A device to shear sheep in the standing, seated position, comprised of an upward posture closed unit shearing platform, adjustable in height, tilt, the sides of platform can be opened away from the shearer, to allow sheep enter the unit and allow the shearer to shear the sheep, with a rotational extendible platform table, padded mats, restraining straps, made of non-conductive material.