NZ248929A - Animal handling crush; one side panel capable of powered movement towards the other and crush vertically tiltable - Google Patents

Description

248929 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $260.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No: 248929 Dated: 12 October 1994 ANIMAL HANDLING DEVICE WE Robin Christopher Feltrim Fagan, a New Zealand citizen of R D 1, Mairoa Foad (no number), Piopio, New Zealand and Wayne Malcolm Cressy, a New Zealand citizen of R D 5, Mairoa Road (no number), Te Kuiti, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 248929 ANIMAL HANDLING DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an animal handling device.

Background Art Reference throughout this specification shall be made to the use of the present invention for handling domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep and deer, although it should be appreciated that the present invention can be applied to other animals.

In particular, reference of the present invention shall be made to its use 1 0 in animal directing devices such as sheep and cattle races and for the purpose for securing animals and applying a treatment thereto. However, it should be seen that the description is given by way of example only and should not be seen as limited to this particular situation.

It is often desirable to be able to hold animals so that treatment can be 1 5 applied thereto or various measurements taken of the animal such as weight. Using sheep as an example, it is common to bolus, drench, take blood, apply and read ear tags, check teeth and so forth.

Various devices are known which are used for the above purpose. However, these devices have a number of problems associated with them. 2 0 New Zealand Patent No. 209221 relates to an animal crush which can be used in the shearing or crutching of sheep. This has side plates which can be moved with respect to each other by pulling a flexible restraint. The resultant action of the side plate movement holds the sheep in position. One of the disadvantages of this construction is that some force 2 248929 is required to manually pull the restraint. Further, this process is not very efficient if used in a sheep race situation as the manual operation of the side plates takes some time. Another problem is that the floor of this construction is a considerable distance above the ground and thus if used 5 in a sheep race situation could impede the flow of animals therethrough.

Deer crushes are known such as those described in New Zealand Patent No. 196738. These are generally operated manually, though in some embodiments other means are used. Deer crushes however cannot be used in a race type situation as they work by having the legs of the animal 1 0 dangling free below the crush. In a sheep race, this would impede the flow of animals through the animal handling device and thus impair efficiency of operation.

Sheep weigh crates are known which have sides that move parallel with respect to each other. This operation makes it difficult for the animals to 15 be quickly held and released. Further, sheep weigh crates typically have end gates in addition to side panels which can hinder access to the animals within as well as interrupt the passage of animals therethrough.

It is an object of the present invention to address the above problems or at 2 0 least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. 3 246929 Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal handling device including a base, at least two side panels a.nd at least one power device, the side panels connected to the base, the power device or devices connected to at least one of the side panels, the arrangement and configuration of the animal handling device being such that at least one of the side panels is capable of powered movement towards the other panel.

The term powered movement shall refer to any means other than pure manual means by which a side panel can be moved with respect to the other panel thus opening or closing the animal handling device.

Examples of various types of powered movement means or power devices include pneumatic and hydraulic rams, electric motors, diesel engines or any other powered device.

It can be seen that the present invention provides a number of advantages of the prior art. By having a power device moving at least one of the walls, animals passing through the animal handling device can be rapidly caught and held in position.

In preferred embodiments, there are no end gates to the device thus allowing the ready passage of animals through the animal handling device when animals are not being held within. If an animal is held within the device, then the held animal acts effectively as a closed gate.

Not only do the lack of end gates contribute to improving the flow rate of animals through the handling device, there are also additional advantages. One advantage that there is ready access to animals held 248929 within this device. For example the whole of the front and rear of the animal can be accessed as can the top as a result of the configuration of preferred embodiments of the animal handling device.

Another advantage of not having end gates is that the cost of the device is 5 lowered.

A farther advantage of not having gates is that they have a comparatively short life on account of the impacts that they receive from the animals. Further, gates also are known to have killed animals impacting into same. 1 0 The construction of the device may come in a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the side panels may be made of a sheet material such as plywood, however it should be appreciated that other materials may be used. To provide strength to the device, various framing may be used and in one embodiment this may be steel. Again it should be appreciated that 1 5 other strengthening means (if required) may be in other forms or materials.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention only one of the side panels moves in relation to the base although of course embodiments where both of side panels are movable are envisaged. 2 0 Where there is a fixed side panel, it is envisaged that the operator would stand behind this panel in order to treat the animal held within the device. It is also envisaged that this fixed panel will have most of the structural framing to provide some rigidity overall to the handling device.

For ease of reference, the device will from now be referred to as having 2 5 one movable panel and one fixed panel. 248928 The movable side panel may be attached to the base by a variety of means. In one embodiment this may be achieved by hinges along the bottom edge of the side panel.

The inclusion of a base is considered to be an important feature of the 5 present invention. Deer crushes are known which do not have a base and thus leave the legs of the deer dangling free. This is not suitable for a race situation as the flow of animals through the handling device would be impeded if there is no base.

In preferred embodiments, the base of the animal handling device is 1 0 constructed so that it is comparatively low to the ground. This construction means that the animals do not have to step a significant distance upwards and therefore again this assists in maintaining an adequate flow rate of animals through this device.

In some embodiments there may be provided channels below the base 1 5 which are adapted to fit onto standard cells used in weighing animals.

Thus, the present device is not only useful for holding animals to apply treatments thereto, but also for weighing animals as they pass through the race.

To improve access to the animals in the device, there may be provided in 2 0 some embodiments access ports. For example, it is envisaged that there could be an access port or flap on the operator's side which can be used when pregnancy testing the animals.

The operation of the power device may be achieved by any one of a number of means depending of course on the type of power device being used. For 2 5 example, a foot operated lever may be employed, thus leaving the operator's hands free for treating/managing the animals. In other 6 248929 embodiments, there may be provided a switch at the top of the operator's side panel which can be readily flicked on and off, or may be automatically activated by the animal.

The position of the power device with respect to the side wall it operates 5 can be varied according to the application. In preferred embodiments however the power device is not positioned underneath the base of the device as this can elevate the base of the animal handling device thereby reducing the flow rate of animals as discussed previously. Thus, in preferred embodiments the power device extends out the side of the 1 0 animal handling device.

In one embodiment there may be an extension from the base out the side of the handling device to which is pivotally attached to a power device in the form of air ram. The ram may also be pivotally attached to part of the movable side wall. The operation of the air ram may be such that it can 1 5 act to push or pull the side wall to and from the fixed wall of the device.

While it is envisaged that one air ram will be suitable for use of the present invention with respect to lightweight animals such as sheep, it is envisaged that more powerful means may be required when the device is used in relation to larger animals such as cattle. 2 0 In some embodiments of the present invention the floor may not necessarily be fixed. For example, the floor may be pivoted so that the action of moving the side panel can also move the floor. This action can cause the animal within to be lifted rather than just held.

Further, in some embodiments the floor may be a false floor and can be 2 5 removed or perhaps extended if required. 7 In advanced embodiments of the present invention there may-also be provided means by which the whole of the handling device can be tilted in a substantially vertical plane.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that its simple 5 construction allows it to be readily reversible within a race or other situation.

Although in preferred embodiments of the present invention do not have gates, there may be some embodiments with head restraints or bales fitted with respect to the device. 1 0 According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of handling an animal including the use of an animal handling device comprising a base, at least two side panels connected to the base, and at least one power device, the method of handling the animal including the steps of: a) allowing the animal to enter the device, and b) activating the power device in such a way so that the animal is held between the side panels of the device.

It should be appreciated that use of this method enables operations such as shearing or crutching or pregnancy testing of sheep (or other 2 0 animals) to be carried out especially easily. In particular, the above method of handling an animal should be appreciated to entail very little work for the operator of the device, and should also be seen to have a number of advantages over previous methods of handling animals. Many of these advantages have already been discussed in relation to 2 5 preferred embodiments of the animal handling device to be used in 8 248929 conjunction with this method. These advantages include time savings, less effort in handling the animal, and also a greater versatility in the ways the animal may be handled once it is held within the animal handling device. However, it should be appreciated that any animal 5 handling device (and not just the embodiments described so far in the specification) may be used in conjunction with the above method, providing the two steps detailed above may be carried out.

Brief Description of Drawings Further aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of 1 0 example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further embodiment 1 5 of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention With respect to Figure 1, there is illustrated a handling device generally 2 0 indicated by arrow 1.

The device 1 has a fixed wall 2, a base 3 fixed to the lower edge of the wall 2 and a movable wall 4.

The fixed wall 2 is comprised of a sheet of plywood 6 which is fitted into a steel frame 7. 9 248929 An access flap 8 has been cut into the plywood 6 for use in pregnancy testing.

The base 3 is fixed onto runners 9. The runners 9 are in the form of channels and can readily fit onto load cells.

The movable wall 4 is attached by hinges 10 to the base 3. To provide added strength to the device 1, the hinges 10 are also fixed in relation to steel straps 11 and 12 attached to the base 3 and side wall 4 respectively.

In this embodiment, the power device is an air ram 13. The air ram 13 is pivotally connected at point 14 to the middle runner 9. The other end of 1 0 the air ram 13 is pivotally connected at point 15 to reinforcing 16 on the side wall 4.

In operation, the operator is situated behind the fixed wall 2. To operate the ram 13, the operator presses a foot lever (not shown). The ram 13 then either pushes the wall 4 towards the fixed wall 2 or pulls it therefrom 1 5 depending on the direction required by the operator. Use of a ram 13 in this operation ensures that there is rapid movement of the wall so that the animals can be quickly held or released as desired.

It should be readily apparent from Figure 1 that the present invention provides considerable access to the animals held within the animal 2 0 handling device.

Figure 2 illustrates an animal handling device similar to that illustrated in Figure 1, but. with a movable floor 17. The floor 17 is pivoted at point 18. Thus, movement of the air ram 13 wil l not only push the side wall 4 1 0 248929 towards the fixed wall 2, but will also lift the floor 17. This acts to lift the animal held within the device 1 towards the operator positioned behind the fixed wall 2.

Figure 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention which allows vertical tipping of the device 1. Vertical tipping is achieved by having a power dsvice for example in the form of a ram 19 attached to one end of the device 1. Extension of the ram 19 lifts and tips the device 1 as required. It should be appreciated that the ram can be attached at either end or in other positions as illustrated by the dotted lines.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the accompanying claims. 1 1

Claims (6)

1. 24 8 9 2 9 WHAT WE CI.AIM IS: 1. An animal handling device including a base, at least two side panels and at least one power device, the side panels connected to the base, the power device or devices connected to at least one of the side panels, the arrangement and configuration of the animal handling device being such that at least one of the side panels is capable of powered movement towards the other panel, and wherein the animal handling device is configured so the whole of the animal handling device can be tilted in a substantially vertical plane by a powered device.
2. 2. An animal handling device as claimed in claim 1 whereby at least one of the side panels is z connected to the base.
3. 3. An animal handling device as claimed in claim 2 whereby the operation of the power device (or devices) causes pivoting of at least one of the side panels towards the other panel.
4. 4 An animal handling device as claimed in claim 3 whereby at least one of the side panels includes a port or flap to access the animal held within the device.
5. 5. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the base of the device is positioned comparatively low to the ground.
6. 6. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the device includes a means of weighing an animal held within the device. 12. 248 9 29 7. An animal handling device as claimed m any one of the above claims whereby the side panels include a strengthening frame. 8. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby at least one of the side panels is fixed with respect to the base. 9. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby at least one of the side panels is hinged to the base. 10. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the power cVrvice is operable by the foot of an operator of the animal handling device. 1L An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the power device (or devices) is an air ram (or rams). 12. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the base of the device may be pivoted. 13. A method of handling an animal including the use of an animal handling device comprising a base, at least two side panels connected to the base, and at least one power device, the method of handling the animal including the steps of: a) allowing the animal to enter the device, b) activating the power device in such a way so that the animal is held between the side panels of the device, and c) activating the power device in such a way so that the animal handling device is tilted in a substantially vertical plane as required. 14. A method of handling an animal as claimed in claim 13 whereby the power device is activated by a foot lever. 12- 248 9 2 9 t A method of handling an animal as claimed in claim 13 whereby the power device is activated by a switch. 16. An animal handling device substantially as described herein and with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations. 17. A method of handling an animal substantially as described herein and with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations. 18. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby an animal held within the device may be accessed either from the front or the rear of the device. 19. An animal handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby an animal held within the device may be accessed from the side of the device. Robin Christopher Fflltrim and Wavne Malcolm Cressv by their Attorneys JAMES & WETXS 4 I