NZ299439A - Cleaning animal pens with elongated body with scraper and liquid orifices moved over yard surface - Google Patents

Description

299439 ggm&8J8fr°& 1 42 96 N.Z. PATENT OFFiCE 14 SEP 1997 RECEIVED Patents Form No. 5 21915/ES NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CLEANING APPARATUS I, Geoffrey James Bates, a New Zealand citizen of 5 Ross Street, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 299439 This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning floors and yards. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for removing unwanted residue from a farm yard.

Cleaning farm yards manually by hose takes a considerable amount of time and work. Various devices exist to reduce the time spent cleaning muck left by farm stock after, for example, milking. A known apparatus comprises a single rubber scraper attached to the bottom of a gate and which extends the length of the gate, ar.d having water piped adjacent the scraper as the gate is moved over a yard surface to be cleaned. A disadvantage with this design of apparatus is that the water is supplied from water outlets do not substantailly cover the area to be cleaned, and typically have water spouting horizontally to simply aid in cleaning and moving the muck along.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning apparatus which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus being associated with a framework for supporting the apparatus, the apparatus comprising an elongate body member with means for being retained by a said framework, the body member having an inlet orifice defining a cavity capable of retaining liquid and having a plurality of apertures arranged in a base portion which, in use, is adjacent a yard surface, an elongate scraping means being attachable to the body member such that an edge of the scraper means can meet a said yard surface, and wherein the inlet orifice is adapted to receive liquid into the cavity and through the plurality of apertures.

Preferably the scraping means are two spaced apart blades being attachable to opposing sides of the body member, and wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged between the two blades. Advantageously the plurality of apertures are aligned in parallel in a row between the two blades along the portion of the body 299439 member. Preferably the blades are sintered.

Desirably the plurality of apertures are angled through the base portion.

Preferaly the retaining means includes at least two protruding uprights, each said upright being slidably retained by a said framework.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a means for moving the apparatus across a said yard surface. Desirably the said framework is a gate, and wherein the moving means is a motor drive unit which drives a wheel, and wherein the wheel is pivotably attached to the gate.

Advantageously the motor drive unit is activated by a switch, and wherein the switch simultaneously activates a valve which controls the flow of liquid into the cavity of the body member.

Alternatively a plurality of body members are configured and arranged end on end and being separately retained by the said framework. Preferably the inlet orifice is located at one end of the rrangement in an end body member and wherein body member connecting means connect the cavities in each adjoining body member such that, in use, liquid flows into the cavity of the end body member and flows through the connecting means into all the cavities in the other body members.

Desirably between two to four body members are configured and arranged end on end.

The invention will aow be described by way of example only of two embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: illustrates a perspective view of a cleaning appratus according to a first embodiment of the invention; 299439 Figure 2: illustrates the underside of the boom of figure 1; Figure 3: illustrates a cross section through two outlet holes in the underside of the boom of figure 2; and Figure 4: illustrates a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, three is illustrated a cleaning apparatus, generally referred to as 1, being associated with a framework for supporting the apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The application of the cleaning apparatus 1 in this embodiment is on a typical dairy farm yard surface in association with a backing gate.

The cleaning apparatus 1 includes an elongate body member 2 in the form of a boom 2. The boom 2 has a cavity 3 which is capable of retaining liquid. The length of the boom 2 is designed to extend substantially the length of a yard gate which can be up to about 8 to 10 metres long. This is to effectively cover the area to be cleaned. It will be appreciated, as illustrated in the second embodiment, that a plurality of booms can be used along the length of a gate to allow a larger area to be cleaned.

As illustrated in figure 2, the boom 2 has a plurality of apertures in the form of outlet holes 4 located in the base portion 2a. The outlet holes 4 are of a sufficient size relative to the water pressure to allow a predetermined volume of water to pass through the base portion 2a of the boom 2 and onto a yard surface 5. It will be appreciated that the larger the holes 4 the higher the water volume able to pass through the boom 2, given a constant water pressure. There are hundreds of holes 4 closely located along the base portion 2a and are of a sufficient size to force water through the holes 4 to form jets of water to blast unwanted residue such as dung, muck and the like from a yard surface 5. The liquid used for cleaning is water. The water supplied is filtered to obtain clean water and is pumped by a pump (not shown) 2994 39 which typically has a combined capacity of about 4.5kW, but desirably has a larger capacity.

Scraping means 6 in the form of blades are sandwiched between the boom 2 and elongate plates 7 and attached by bolts 8. The blades 6 are desirably sintered and made of a high density polyethylene material for toughness and durability. The scraping means could alternatively be made of a plastics material or any durable material capable of scraping a yard surface without damaging the surface.

The blades 6 extend substantially along the length of the boom 2 and, when associated with the gate 9, have edges 6a resting on the yard surface 5. The blades 6 can be easily replaced by unbolting the plates 7 and replacing the blades 6 before fastening them again. Two blades 6 are more effective than one blade to wipe the yard surface although it will be appreciated the boom 2 can function with only one blade.

The boom 2 is slidably associated with the gate 9 by retaining means in the form of tubular uprights 10 which are slidingly retained and are free to move within corresponding sleeves 11. The sleeves 11 are secured to the gate 9 by U bolts (not shown) or the like and retain the boom 2 in position under the gate 9. It is an advantage to have a boom 2 which can move vertically relative to the gate 9 as the boom 2 can tolerate slightly uneven yard surfaces by the uprights 10 rising within the sleeves when the lower edge 6a of the blades 6 rises over a mound or other such obstacle. A further advantage is that the cleaning apparatus 1 can be mounted to gates having different yard surface clearances.

An inlet orifice 12 located at one end of the boom 2 has a jointing member 13 to allow a hose 14 to be mounted thereon. A strainer (not shown) is inserted adjacent the mouth of the inlet orifice 12 to strain out undesirable fouling in the water. The hose 14 is secured by a standard hose clamp or the like (not shown) to the jointing member 13 at the distal end of the gate 9 and is secured in place by ties 15 to the gate 9. The hose 14 is generally piped from a standard yard wash down pump and is 299 A 39 connected to the highest end of the boom 2 to ensure maximum water pressure flow on the highest section of the yard surface 5, which in this example is at the distal end of the gate 9.

A valve 16 can be connected in line with the hose 14 to regulate and control water flow. Desirably it is located as near to the inlet orifice 12 as practicable but high enough to prevent damage from cows. The valve is activated by a switch 17 which is seen to be located adjacent the valve 16. It will be appreciated that the switch 17 is more typically located in the milking shed (not shown).

Means 18 for moving the apparatus 1 across the yard surface is in the form of a motor drive unit or motor saddle controls the movement of the gate 9. The drive unit 18 is attachable to the boom 2 and is desirably powered by mains power supply or water driven. Wheels 19 are pivotably mounted at the distal end of the gate 9 and are driven to move the gate 9 in both forward and return runs or bidirectionally across the yard surface 5 during cleaning.

Advantageously the switch 17 is activated to simultaneously activate the motor unit 18 and valve 16 so that water flow only occurs when the gate is moving. This means the apparatus 1 can be activated so that the gate can pivot about hinges 9a to clean the yard 5 of muck in a forward run in one direction, desirably before the last row of cows has finished milking. The motor is then reversed and the apparatus 1 commences a return run to clean the yard 5 of remaining residue in the other direction. This feature results in significant water savings as water is only supplied to the boom 2 when the apparatus 1 is operating.

Referring to figure 3, a cross section through A-A in figure 2 illustrates a side elevation through the base portion 2a of the boom 2.

The holes 4 are advantageously angled in the same direction and are in parallel to aid in lifting muck from the yard surface 5 and to direct jets of water toward the lowest 299439 point of the yard surface 5. Many yard surfaces are designed with a gradient which slope downwards toward the near or hinged end of the gate 9. This results in muck and water flowing toward the hinged end of the gate 9. Whichever way a particular yard slopes the boom 2 can be aligned so that the angled holes 4 spray or jet water toward the lower part of the slope.

The boom 2 is desirably made of steel. The holes 4 are drilled prior to being galvanised, and can then be redrilled afterwards. Through hole galvanising is effective to minimise corrosion in the holes 4. It will be appreciated that the boom 2 can be alternatively made from stainless steel.

Referring now also to figure 2, it is seen that the combination of the blades 6 and the angled outlet holes 4 concentrate the water flow to lift muck from the yard as the base portion 2a between the blades 6 is where jets of water are concentrated to blast muck off the yard surface 5. The arrangement of the blades 6 causes a river effect between the blades 6 which can carry stones along in it toward a drainage area.

After installation of the apparatus 1 and when ready for use, the switch 17 is activated to drive the unit 18 to move the gate 9 and to activate the valve 16 to open and supply water to the boom 2. The apparatus 1 moves along on a forward run with the blades 6 blasting jets of water through outlet holes 4 to lift and move unwanted residue across the yard surface 5 and into a drain. When the gate 9 reaches the end of the forward run, the wheels are driven in reverse, and the gate 9 commences a return run and further washes and cleans the yard surface 5.

Referring to figure 4, a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus, generally referred to as 20, according to a second embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

The description of the gate and peripheral equipment of the cleaning apparatus 20 is identical to the apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and will therefore not be repeated. The difference between the embodiments is that in this embodiment, 29943 three booms 21,22,23 are configured and arranged at the base of a standard backing gate 24 to clean a yard.

The booms 21,22 23 are aligned end on end and are. separately associated by retaining means with the backing gate 24 comprising pairs of uprights 25,26 and 27,28 and 29,30 corresponding with respective pairs of sleeves 31,32,33,34,35,36. It will be appreciated that an advantage with having a plurality of booms is that as yards are seldom completely level and smooth, one boom can move over a raised section of ground while another boom can continue to scrape the yard at a lower level, thus increasing scraping efficiency.

Boom connecting members in the form of flexible hoses 37,38 connect between booms 21,22 and 22,23 respectively. The flexible hoses 37,38 advantageously allow the booms 21,22,23 to freely move relative to adjoining booms.

A hose 39 is mounted on a jointing member 40 of the boom 21. An end cap 41 plugs a jointing member 42 of boom 23. It is seen that when water flows through hose 39 into the water cavity of boom 21, it also flows through connecting member 37 into boom 22 and through connecting member 38 into boom 23. The respective outlet holes (not shown) in each boom 21,22,23 jet water onto a yard.

A desirable feature of this embodiment is having booms which are designed to use different volumes of water to increase the effectiveness of the apparatus 20. The boom 21 is a high volume boom by having outlet holes of a larger aperture giving a higher volume of water flow. This boom 21 is best placed on the uphill end of the gate 24. Booms 22, 23 are of a medium volume type and have outlet holes (not shown) with smaller apertures and therefore better economise water.

It will be appreciated an advantage with the invention is having booms being provided with outlet holes covering a substantial area of a yard surface. The outlet holes can be drilled to be about 25mm apart which means that with a three metre boom there •2994 39 can be a row of about 100 holes arranged on the base portion. If more than one row is drilled there can be a substantial increase in a yard surface being cleaned by a large number of water jets acting on a yard surface.

Wherein the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by a way of example of possible embodiments, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (13)

299439 - 10- What I claim is:

1. An apparatus being associated with a framework for supporting the apparatus, the apparatus comprising an elongate body member with means for being retained by a said framework, the body member having an inlet orifice defining a cavity capable of retaining liquid and having a plurality of apertures arranged in a base portion which, in use, is adjacent a yard surface, an elongate scraping means being attachable to the body member such that an edge of the scraper means can meet a said yard surface, and wherein the inlet orifice is adapted to receive liquid into the cavity and through the plurality of apertures.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the scraping means are two spaced apart blades being attachable to opposing sides of the body member, and wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged between the two blades.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of apertures are aligned in parallel in a row between the two blades along the portion of the body member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the blades are sintered.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of apertures are angled through the base portion.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means includes at least two protruding uprights, each said upright being slidably retained by a said framework.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a means for moving the apparatus across a said yard surface. s«*«u^514 2 9 6 299439 'II-

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the said framework is a gate, and wherein the moving means is a motor drive unit which drives a wheel, and wherein the wheel is pivotably attached to the gate.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the motor drive unit is activated by a switch, and wherein the switch simultaneously activates a valve which controls the flow of liquid into the cavity of the body member.

10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims having a plurality of body members configured and arranged end on end and being separately retained by the said framework.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the inlet orifice is located at one end of the arrangement in an end body member and wherein body member connecting means connect the cavities in each adjoining body member such that, in use, liquid flows into the cavity of the end body member and flows through the connecting means into all the cavities in the other body members.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein between two to four body members are configured and arranged end on end.

13. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the drawings. S21915A N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 14 SFP 19Q7 REC&iV'k-' McCABE AND COMPANY By ISH attorneys for the applicant