NZ507843A - System for animal husbandry including a rotatable cradle, adjustable table and an immobilisation means - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for animal husbandry including a rotatable cradle (1) to position an animal on an adjustable table (9) and an immobilization means to immobilize the animal whilst on the table is disclosed. A ramp (7 not shown) leads the animal into the rotatable cradle (1) mounted in a circular frame (2). Rollers (46,48,49) support the rotatable frame to position said cradle (1) in a loading position or in a discharge position. The rotatable cradle (1) has a pair of clamps (5) to restrain the animal that diverge away from the animal such that when the cradle (1) is rotated to the discharge position the animal is free to slide out of the clamps (5) on the adjustable table (9). The adjustable table (9) comprises an endless belt (21) supported on rollers (46,48,49), the animal being supported in the curve of the belt and the belt being driven by on of the rollers. An electrical immobiliser immobilizes the animal with electrodes being applied to the mouth and tail of the animal.

Description

50 7 8 4 3 Patents Form 5 N.Z. No.

NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ANIMAL HUSBANDRY We, WHITTINGDON PTY LTD, an Australian Company of, 100 Greenhill Road, Unley, South Australia 5061, Australia, 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 -1- (Followed by 1 A) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 OCT 2000 27-OCT-OO FRI 12 = 47 COLL ISON AND CO ' FAX NO. 61 8 82123988 P. 03/18 \A TITLE: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY This invention relates to animal husbandry and more particularly to a machine and apparatus for handling animals for procedures of animal husbandry.

Many animal husbandry procedures require that the animal be restrained so that the 5 procedure can be carried out without the animal causing injury to either itself or the person attending the animal and this restraint has usually been to restrain the animal in a crush or to physically rope, tie and bind the animal.

However many such operations are carried out by the pastoralist and his employees, and while the instant invention is described particularly with reference 10 to the shearing of sheep, it is to be realised that the invention can be utilised tor other treatment of sheep and other animals such as crutching, dehorning, castration, dental work etc..

Shearing of sheep, goats, alpacas and other animals is a very strenuous action and often results in injury to the shearer's back. Machines to assist in the shearing of 15 sheep have been proposed, and also it is known to electrically immobilise animals and sheep to enable a shearer to shear the sheep on an elevated table, to eliminate to a substantial degree the stress on the back of the shearer.

Thus it is an object of this invention to provide a system whereby the animal is positioned in a restrained condition at a convenient height and position for the 20 operator.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system wherein the animal is electrically immobilised.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ramp and cradle to position the animal in the desired position on a table for the husbandry to be carried out.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a table which is adjustable for the convenience of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical immobilising clip which maintains the desired electrical conductivity during movement of the animal.

Thus there is provided according to one form of the invention a system for animal husbandry, said system comprising a rotatable cradle to position an animal on an adjustable table, and an immobilisation means to immobilise the animal whilst on the table.

Preferably the table includes a rotatable belt on which the animal is positioned whereby the animal may be rotated into a desired position.

In order to more fully describe the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of the ramp and cradle, Figure 2 is a side view of the cradle and tilt frame, Figure 3 is an end view cradle rotated to the tilt position and the table, Figure 4 is a front view of the table and cradle, Figures 5 is a front view of the table, Figure 6 is a side view of the table, Figure 7 shows two positions of the table for small and large animals, Figure 8 is a further view showing the table in two positions, Figure 9 is a view of the tail electrode clip, and Figure 10 is a view of the mouth electrode clip.

Referring to the drawings, the invention includes a table 9 which has a PVC belted 20 support surface 22 which supports animals of various sizes 8 and 10 and a tipper 2 for delivenng animals to the table. The animals are then immobilised by means of an electrical immobiliser as described in any one of Australian Patent Nos. 561340, 657127 and Application No. 77328/98 whereby the desired animal husbandry can be performed with complete safety to the operator and the animal.

A crush cradle 1 has a floor 1 (a) and a mirror at the end 3 to encourage an animal to | INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 8 jan 2002 received 27-OCT-OO FRI 12:47 COLLISOH AND CO FAX NO. 61 8 82123988 P. 05/18 3 enter the cradle from a ramp 7, the cradle having a gate which closes as the cradle tips 6. The cradle has a mechanism incorporating two clamps 5 which is closed after the animal enters the cradle in its loading position 14 and holds the animal in place while the cradle is tipped 15 to deliver the animal accurately into a fully 5 supported position on the table. The clamps 5 diverge in an upward direction so that even though the animal is restrained the animal is free to slid© out of the clamps when the cradle is tipped to the discharge position. This takes advantage of the behavioural characteristics of most ungulates allowing the immobiliser electrodes 43 and 44 to be attached while the animal can be held with one hand.

The cradle is incorporated in a circular frame 2 which rotates on support wheels 4. The clamps 5 press against the sides of the animal with sufficient pressure for the animal to feel secure and in this position the animal is positioned above the table. The cradle and circular frame are positioned with respect to the table such that when the frame is rotated, the animal slides out of the cradle onto the centre of the table 15 with the animal being positioned on its side and back in the correct position.

The centre of gravity of the animal is just below the centre of the tipping frame 2. This allows even heavy animals to be tipped with one hand grasping the cradle or frame or lever on the frame so that the other hand remains free to restrain the animal when it is placed on the table by applying slight pressure on the animal. The 20 tipping hand is then released and the cradle returns to the vertical position and the free left hand is available to attach the tail electrode 43. The left hand is freed to restrain the animal and the right hand can be used to fix the mouth electrodes 44. The current from the immobiliser can then be adjusted to suit the animal to obtain the required combination of muscle condition for the task at hand while maintaining 25 the comfort of the animal.

The tail electrode 43 with a curved needle 31 has unique characteristics which ensure that the immobiliser can operate properly, maintaining its effective immobilisation while the animal is turned on the table. The curved needle is inserted into the tail over the tail bones through the soft fatty tissue, the needle 30 passing through a fork in the top clamp 39 as the spring loaded handle is released. A non-slip material is incorporated into the clamp. The electrical wire 36 is attached to the clamp portion 39 by a spring. This placement together with the curved needle 31 and the non-slip portion on the clamp ensures that the clip rotates with the animal without significant forces being applied to the needle to vary the electrical 35 path between the needle and the spinal cord of the animal. If there is a relative 27-OCT-OO FRI 12:48 COLL ISON AND CO ' FAX NO. 61 8 82123988 P. 06/18 rotation between the animal and the needle, the curved needle will slide through the tail whilst maintaining the same distance between tile needle and the spinal cord, thus ensuring that the immobilising effect of the immobiliser is constant. Hence no injury arises in the animal's tail as a result of prying of the electrode.

The immobiliser control 30 is mounted on an arm so that it can be placed in front of the operator over the animal and then moved away to permit delivery of another animal.

The table can be adjusted in width to accommodate different sized animals without significant change in shape of the curved surface of the rotatable belt supporting the 10 animal. As shown in Figure 7, it will be noted that the surface on which the animal is to be worked is at the same height to the operator, irrespective whether there is a small animal or a large animal on the table. This adjustment can be with a lever or a pulley system to ensure that the operator's effort is low and the adjustment can be achieved while the animal is in place.

The adjustment rotates a T-shaped frame 24 and the geometry of this frame and its support ensure that the belt 21 and the curve of the belt 22 remains constant at each end of its range and varies only slightly at mid range. The support incorporates a cam 12 and pin 24a which are required to maintain the geometrical relationship. The top of the cam 12 is curved as part of the mechanism to ensure 20 the geometrical relationship. Thus as the table is adjusted the pin on the frame 24 rides along the cam surface to maintain the required geometrical relationship. The cam can be adjusted in position so that manufacturing tolerances can be accommodated. The cam can be mounted on a cranked rear support arm or on the pivot arm 26.

The table can also be adjusted in height and incorporates geometry which allows the table to be adjusted easily using gas strut 13 so that the table maintains an appropriate configuration so that the animal remains at the correct height and is properly supported to allow the operator to carry out tasks associated with animal husbandry such as shearing, crutching, dehorning, dental work, castration, with ease 30 and without undue exertion or bending.

The table has a slight tilt relative to the operator so that the front and rear rollers are not at the earn© height, the front roller being slightly higher than the rear roller for ease of working. This can be altered to suit the operator's preferences. The 14:50 COLL I SDN & CO ADELAIDE ■» 00156443816051 NO.908 T 0 I f fi LLLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ^ 1 8 jan 2002 received location of the table top is controlled by the cranked support arm, the adjustable strut 13, the cam 12 and pin 24a. The adjustment can be made simply by adjusting the strut 13.

The table has a belt 21 driven through drum roller 46 and idler rollers 48 and 49 5 permitting the operator to turn the animal without effort. The drive motor can move the belt backwards or forwards permitting the operator to turn the animal at will. The drum incorporates a raised centre section 47 ensuring the belt remains centred.

With the use of a controlled motor it is possible1o~tomthe animal with precision without heavy physical exertion so that it can be presented for the task at an 10 appropriate height and orientation.

The belt also has an unsupported end 19 at the animal's hind feet. This ensures firstly that the anima! is less likely to kick and secondly if it does kick, that the animal does not have a supporting surface which allows the kick to have any effect. A third benefit is that in the case of shearing, the soft part of the belt at the animal's 15 hindquarters allows separation of those parts of the fleece contaminated with faeces as a result of crutching and removes risk of contamination of the fleece in the case of shearing. Also the soft section prevents contamination of the work table in general should the animal defecate or urinate while on the table. Also the belt has an unsupported end 19(a) at the animals head and neck. If the animal is a sheep, this 20 permits the shearer to shear the neck and head of the animal, the soft portion of the belt providing space for the shearer to shear under that part of the neck.

The table is pivoted at a point just forward of its centre of gravity so that the operator can lower the animal onto the floor in a way which ensures it lands on it's feet from a low height simply by pressing down on the front of the table and 25 pivoting the assembly whilst using the other hand to direct the animal to a race or exit.

If the table is used for shearing, driving the belt rearwards discharges the fleece to a handling system. As shown in figure 3, the drive 28 for the shearing hand piece 29, shown mounted in a cradle on the stand 50 is preferably supported by rollers 30 51 so that the drive 28 moves with the shearer as the shearer moves from one end of the sheep to the other. Thus there is little or no appreciable drag or resistance on the hand of the shearer during the shearing operation.

Thus it will be seen that there is provided according to the invention an animal 27-OCT-OO FRI 12:48 COLL ISON AND CO FAX NO. 61 8 82123988 P. 08/18 6 handling system in which the animal is placed in position of a table by a tilting crush and cradle, the cradle being easily rotated to position the animal. Also there is provided a table which is adjustable so that the animal, irrespective of size, is correctly positioned for the operator, the table can be raised and lowered and also 5 tilted to discharge the animal therefrom.

Although one form of the invention has been described in some detail it is to be realised that the invention is not to be limited thereto, but can include variations and modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

17/01/2002 14:50 COLLI SON 8. CO PiDELfllDE 00156443816051 NO.908 D003 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A system for animal husbandry, said system including a rotatable cradle to position an animal on an adjustable table, and an immobilisation means to immobilise the animal whilst on the table. 5

2. A system as defined in claim 1 and including a ramp to lead the animal into the rotatable cradle.

3 A system as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, said rotatable cradle being mounted in a circular frame, rollers supporting the rotatable frame to position said cradle in a loading position or a discharge position. 10

4. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims, said rotatable cradle has a pair of clamps to restrain the animal, said clamps diverging away from the animal such that when the cradle is rotated to the discharge position the animal slides out of the cradle on the adjustable table.

5. A system as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the rotatable 15 frame supports the animal such that the centre of gravity of the animal is just below the centre of rotation of the circular frame

6. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable table comprises an endless belt supported on rollers, the animal being supported in a curve of the belt. 20

7 A system as defined in claim 6 wherein the belt is supported on rollers, one of the rollers being driven to rotate the belt in either of both directions.

8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein two rollers support the belt, one on each side of the animal, the rollers being mounted on a frame whereby the spacing between the rollers can be varied to accommodate various sized animals, the 25 curvature of the belt supporting the animal being significantly the same irrespective of the size of the animal, and the animal is substantially at the same height for operator comfort. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 8 jan 2002 27-OCT-OO FRI 12:49 COLL ISON AND CO FAX NO. 61 8 82123988 P. 10/18 8

9. A system as defined in claim 8 wherein the frame incudes a linkage and a cam surface, whereby as the frame is adjusted for a larger animal one roller is raised while the spacing is increased so that the curvature of the belt supporting the animal is substantially maintained constant. 5

10. A system as defined in claim 9 wherein the table is adjustable in height.

11. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims, the table being pivoted so that an animal after husbandry can be lowered to be discharged from the table.

12. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the animal 10 is a sheep and the husbandry is shearing or crutching the sheep, the drive for the shearing hand piece being supported by rollers or wheels on a horizontal rail so that the drive effectively moves with the shearer.

13. A system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the animal is immobilised by an electrical immobiliser with electrodes being applied to the 15 mouth and tail of the animal.

14. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein the mouth electrode is a spring loaded clip.

15. A system as defined in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the tail electrode is a curved needle inserted over the tail bones through the soft fatty tissue, and 20 clamped in position by the needle passing through a clamping portion of the electrode whereby the sheep may be turned without dislodging the needle.

16 A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the ? accompanying drawings. i END OF CLAIMS