NZ548569A - Shearing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A shearing apparatus (40) supports an animal to be shorn. The apparatus includes a first support means (41) and a second support means (42), and is moveable between a first configuration in which the first support means supports the animal and a second configuration in which the second support means supports the animal. The second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported in the first configuration, movement from the first configuration to the second configuration including inversion of the second support means. The apparatus may support the animal at a height such that a shearer can maintain a substantially upright posture while shearing.

Description

Our Ref: HLD001NZ Patents Form No. 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 548569 Filed 18 July 2006 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SHEARING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SHEARING We, Raymond Hyland and Carolyn Ann Hyland, both New Zealand citizens of Spooners Hill, RD5, Taihape, 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: Intellectual Property 1 1 Office of N.Z. • 8 JUL 2007 RCr'Civ/cPkl SHEARING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SHEARING FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shearing apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a shearing apparatus for supporting an animal during a shearing operation.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Over the years many attempts have been made to devise a shearing apparatus on which an animal to be shorn can be located and presented to a shearer so that a shearing operation can be carried out. The intention is to present the animal in such a manner as to reduce the physical efforts required by the shearer in holding and manipulating the animal when carrying out the shearing operation. 15 In addition the shearer can adopt a more upright shearing position. Shearing apparatus devised to date have not met these objectives for a variety of reasons. For example, the apparatus may not be simple to operate and therefore the time taken to shear an animal can be increased. By way of further example, the animal may not be presented to the shearer in the most advantageous 20 presentation to enable effective and/or efficient shearing to be carried out.

It is an object of the present invention to provide shearing apparatus in which an animal to be shorn can be located and presented in such a manner that the shearer can adopt a more upright shearing position when shearing the animal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide shearing apparatus on which an animal to be shorn can be supported and, in a simple and effective manner, be presented to the shearer such that quick and efficient shearing of the animal can be effected.

Each object is to be read disjunctively with the object of at least providing the public with a useful choice. 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the invention provides a shearing apparatus including: a first support means configured to support an animal during a first stage of a 5 shearing operation; a second support means configured to support the animal during a second stage of the shearing operation; the apparatus being moveable between a first configuration in which the first support means supports the animal, and a second configuration in which the 10 second support means supports the animal and the first support means is withdrawn so as not to interfere in the second stage of the shearing operation; wherein the second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported by the first support means in the first configuration, and wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration includes 15 inversion of the second support means such that, following the inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal.

Preferably the animal is supported at a height such that a shearer can maintain a substantially upright posture while shearing the animal.

Preferably the apparatus is configured to move during the shearing operation so as to present substantially the entire surface of an animal to a shearer for shearing.

Preferably the apparatus is movable continuously from the first configuration to the second configuration, the animal being moved continuously from a first position to a second position.

Preferably the animal is supported by one or both of the first and second support 30 means during movement from the first configuration to the second configuration. Preferably the animal is inverted in the second configuration relative to its position in the first configuration.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 3 - 8 OCT 2008 (followed by page 3 a) RECEIVED Preferably the first support means is moveable to alter the position of an animal to be shorn. Preferably the first support means is substantially formed from a flexible material. 3a (followed by page 4) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 8 OCT 2008 RECEIVED Preferably the flexible material is supported at a front edge closest to a position occupied by a shearer during shearing, by an elongate support which rotates downwards as the apparatus moves from the first configuration to the second 5 configuration.

Preferably one end of the elongate support is mounted on a first end support which also supports the second support means such that the second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported by the first support 10 means, wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration includes rotation of the first end support resulting in inversion of the second support means such that, following this inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal and the entire first support means is positioned on the side of the animal further from the position occupied by a 15 shearer during shearing.

Movement of the elongate support may be driven by the flexible fabric being wound onto a roller.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the first support means is in a compacted form.

Preferably the second support means includes one or more bars configured to lie along the underside of an animal. Preferably the bars extend to lie between the 25 animal's front legs and the animal's hind legs.

Preferably the bars include protuberances configured to press into an animal at the inside and above the animal's hind legs so as to position and restrict movement of the hind legs.

Preferably the second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported by the first support means, and wherein movement from the first 4 configuration to the second configuration includes inversion of the second support means such that, following this inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal.

Preferably the second support means is arranged to be dropped from the second configuration to release an animal from the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus has one or more leg restraints configured to restrain at least some of the legs of the animal during at least part of the shearing operation.

The leg restraints preferably include first and second restraints for restraining the animal's hind legs. The first and second restraints are preferably a positive restraint and a hook.

Preferably the restraints release automatically during the movement from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Preferably the apparatus is provided with a freestanding framework supporting the first and second support means.

Preferably an animal loader or other animal feeding arrangement is configured to deliver an animal to the first support means. Preferably the animal loader includes a pen with two side plates, the side plates being moveable between an open position in which an animal can enter the pen and a closed position in 25 which they restrict movement of the animal.

Preferably the animal loader is positioned above the first support means and rotates about an axis parallel to its length to tip an animal down onto the first support means.

Preferably the apparatus includes one or more pneumatic rams configured to drive movement of the apparatus.

In a second aspect the invention provides a shearing apparatus including: a support means configured to support an animal to be shorn; and restraining means configured to restrain an animal supported on the support means; the support means being movable to alter the presentation of an animal to facilitate shearing of the animal, wherein the support means becomes compacted during movement of the support means and the animal at the completion of the shearing operation is supported principally by the restraining means.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method of shearing an animal using a shearing apparatus configured to support the animal during the shearing operation, the method including: positioning an animal in a first position, in which the animal is supported by a 15 first support means; shearing part of the animal in the first position; lowering a second support means from above onto the animal in the first position; moving the animal from the first position to a second position, in which the 20 animal is supported by the second support means, while shearing part of the animal which becomes accessible during movement; shearing part of the animal in the second position.

Preferably substantially the whole of the animal is shorn while it is supported by 25 one or both of the first and second support means. Preferably the animal is supported during movement from the first position to the second position by one or both of the first and second support means.

Preferably the animal is supported In an upright position in the second position, 30 further including lowering the second support means such that the animal is lowered onto the ground so as to release the animal when shearing is complete.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 8 OCT 2008 RECEIVED BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shearing apparatus according to a prototype form embodying the invention the apparatus being in a "ready" state to receive an animal to be shorn; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating a sheep in place on the apparatus and retained thereon by a retaining member; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating the apparatus with sheep part way through a shearing operation; Figure 4 is an end perspective view showing the apparatus in the position of Figure 3 but not including the sheep; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the conclusion of a shearing operation after the sheep has been released from the apparatus; Figure 6 is a view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 5 but looking up toward the lower part of the support frame i.e. a view looking through the floor on which the apparatus sits; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shearing apparatus; Figure 8 is a further perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 7, with an animal loader in an open position; Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, with the animal loader in a closed position; Figure 10 shows the animal loader moving to load an animal onto a first support means; Figure 10A shows the position of an animal in the animal loader; Figure 11 shows the animal loader in position to release an animal onto the first support means; Figure 12 shows the apparatus of Figure 7 in a first configuration in which the first support means supports an animal; Figure 12A is a similar view to that of Figure 12, showing the position of an animal on the first support means; Figure 13 shows the second support means being lowered; Figure 14 shows the second support means in position having been lowered onto an animal supported by the first support means; Figure 15 shows the movement of the first and second support means from the first configuration towards a second configuration in which the animal is supported by the second support means; Figure 16 shows the apparatus of Figure 7, in the second configuration; Figure 16A is a similar view to that of Figure 16, showing the position of an animal on the second support means; 8 Figure 17 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 7, in the second configuration; Figure 18 shows the apparatus of Figure 7, with the second support means 5 dropped to release an animal; Figure 19 shows the apparatus of Figure 7, having been reset to the first configuration to receive a further animal; and Figure 20 is an interview of the apparatus of Figure 7, in the first configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a shearing apparatus.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the apparatus 10 is of a free standing form. It therefore includes a support frame 11. This support frame 11 includes a base 12 and a pair of upwardly projecting posts 13. The apparatus in this form is 20 therefore portable. However, it is envisaged that, in some other application, the apparatus 10 could be a fixed structure and therefore have the posts 13 fastened to the floor or some other part of the structure of a shearing shed.

Located between the posts 13 is a cradle 14. This cradle 14 is, as will hereinafter 25 become apparent, able to move relative to a person shearing who stands to one side of the cradle ("the shearing side"). In the preferred form it rotates about a longitudinal axis of rotation extending between the posts 13.

The cradle 14 includes support members in the form of end hoops 15 which are 30 essentially of a "C" shape. The ends of the hoops 15 are fastened to a "V" shaped cross-member 16. Each cross-member 16, in the illustrated form of the invention, is coupled to an axle 17 which is journaled for rotation in a bearing or 9 similar mounted to the post 13. Other means of mounting the cradle 14 for rotation will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Extending between the hoops 15 from the intersection of each hoop 15 and its 5 associated cross-member 16 is a coupling member 19. Running parallel to this connector 19 is preferably a handle 20 mounted between mount arms 21 which extends from the join of each hoop 15 with its associated cross-member 16. Anchored to this handle 20 is a length of flexible material 22 on which an animal to be shorn will, during use of the apparatus, be located. This length of 10 material 22 extends transversely across the cradle 14.

The length of material 22 extends over an elongate member 23 and is fastened onto a rotatable member 24. These two elongate members 23 and 24 are closely adjacent one another and extend in a substantially parallel manner.

The elongate members 23 and 24 are supported at each end on a mounting formed by an arm 25 which extends laterally from each of the posts 13. Preferably a bracing member 26 is located between the arm 25 and base 12.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the upper elongate member 23 is fixed at each end to the mount arm 25. The lower elongate member 24 is, however, rotatable to form a roller mechanism and at one end is combined with a drive mechanism (not shown). This drive mechanism is, in the preferred form of the invention, located adjacent the end of the cradle at which the head of the animal 25 to be shorn will be located.

Extending between the hoops 15 are a plurality of support members 28. Each support member 28 has a ring 29 at its end and this ring 29 is slidingly engaged on the hoop 15. One or more flexible lengths 27 (e.g. cords) extend from 30 connector member 19 to the fixed elongate member 23 at the other side of the machine, the flexible lengths 27 being connected in their length to each of the support elements 28. Thus, it can be seen from Figure 1 that, with the machine in its "ready" state, the support elements 28 are spaced apart and located beneath i.e. underlie the length of material 22 which will hereinafter, for convenience, be referred to as a "hammock".

As can be seen from Figure 2, a sheep S to be shorn is placed on the hammock 22. The sheep S is placed on its back which presents the belly and neck area for a shearer to shear and dispose of the fribs. Once this clearing of the belly wool is completed a retaining member 30, which is pivotally coupled to the V shaped cross-member 16 of the hoop 15 at the drive end (head end of the sheep S), is lowered so as to pass along the length of the sheep and be anchored by slotted plate 32 engaging over tongue 31 and fastened in place (e.g. by a pin 33) at the other end of the cradle 14. This retaining element 30 not only restrains the sheep during the shearing operation, which will hereinafter be described, but also provides a support for the sheep at the end of the shearing operation.

The shearer P will stand to the shearing side of the apparatus (see Figure 2) and by manipulating the drive mechanism will rotate the elongate member 24 to cause the hammock 22 to be wound onto member 24. Because the hammock 22 is anchored to the handle 22 this winding up of hammock 22 will cause the cradle 14 to rotate and in doing so, will roll the sheep S over so that firstly one side of the sheep is presented for shearing, followed by the back and then the other side. This is evident from Figure 3 where it can be seen that fleece F cascades over the rolled up hammock 22 on the side of the apparatus opposite that at which the shearer P is located.

The fact that elongate member 24 rotates and causes the hammock 22 to roll up creates a guiding effect on the fleece F so as to cause the fleece to clear away from the sheep. This rolling also causes the support means to assume a compacted form out of the way of the shearing operation.

As can be seen from Figure 5, when this operation has been completed, the cradle 14 has inverted which will result in the sheep being supported principally 11 by the retaining element 30. The retaining element 30 can then be released (as shown in Figure 5) thereby dropping the sheep onto its feet, whereupon the sheep can move away from the apparatus preferably through an exit door/chute positioned adjacent the shearing apparatus.

When the sheep S is first placed on the hammock 22 it is supported by the hammock and the underlying support elements 28 which, as described above, are in a spatial array but are interconnected by flexible element(s) 27. In the simplest form of the invention flexible element 27 is a length of rope, cord or the 10 like, fastened onto the connector member 19, the rotating elongate member 24 and the support elements 28.

As the cradle 14 rotates and the hammock 22 is wound-up, the turning motion of the sheep results in the support elements 28 moving with the sheep so that they 15 become closer and closer (i.e. compact) together. Thus when the cradle 14 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the support elements 28 have more or less bunched up together and are located alongside (but alongside) the wound-up hammock 22. Thus, the support elements 28 are progressively moved clear of the animal during the rotation of the animal and will be to one side of the animal 20 when the animal is released from the apparatus 10.

Tests with the prototype apparatus have revealed that the sheep, once placed on its back on the hammock, will generally be satisfied to lie there without any wriggling especially as there is nothing on which the animal can obtain a 25 purchase. However, the spaced apart elements 28 not only provide an underlying support (under hammock 22) for the animal but are such that they further prevent the animal from tending to wriggle itself out of the apparatus.

During the shearing operation the shearer will manipulate the drive mechanism. 30 In the simplest form of the invention, a handle (possibly via suitable gearing) can be used to rotate the winding elongate member 24. However, in a more preferred form of the invention, the mechanism for applying the winding motion 12 might be a foot controlled lever connected (most probably with a ratchet connection) to the rotatable elongate member 24 so that the shearer can simply use his/her foot to create the winding effect. In this way the shearer will not need to remove his/her hand from the shearing handpiece or the animal. This 5 will further ensure that the shearing operation can be carried out as quickly as possible.

Yet in a further form of the invention, an electric drive mechanism can be provided whereby the cradle 14 is rotated at a desirable rate so that as the cradle 10 rotates, the animal is continually presented in the optimum position for the shearer to carry out the shearing operation.

Once the sheep has been released from the apparatus the cradle 14 can be moved back to its ready position. This could be achieved by grabbing the 15 handle 20 and pulling the cradle back to its ready position. This may necessitate temporary disengagement of the drive mechanism 27.

In an electrically driven version the drive could be reversed (as indeed it could be with a mechanical drive) and the drive thereby used to revert the cradle 14 20 back to its ready position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shearing apparatus, as illustrated, is open to modification. For example, the shearing apparatus could include rear leg restraints so as to restrain the rear legs of the sheep during 25 crutching and removal of the belly wool. This would principally be seen as a safety feature though for speed of operation of the machine any rear leg restraint mechanism would desirably be automatically released, possibly when the restraining element 30 is placed on the sheep.

The retaining element 30 could be modified. For example, it could extend for only part of the length of the sheep (from the tail end forward) so as to thereby 13 terminate clear off the head/shoulder area of the sheep. This modification would provide for maximum access to the head/shoulder area.

The restraining element 30 could also incorporate stifle balls, the intention of 5 these being to ensure the rear legs of the sheep are controlled and in the correct position.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the two elongate elements that make up the restraining element 30 could be reshaped so as to 10 provide more comfort for the sheep and possibly be more suitable for accommodating different sized sheep.

A further modification might be to arrange the appartus so that it is tilted such that the head of the sheep is higher than the feet. This would provide yet better 15 access for the shearer to access the head without bending down. Also to further accommodate the physical requirements of shearer of different stature, the height at which the cradle 14 is positioned could be adjustable. One way of achieving this would be to have the pivot connection of the cradle 14 to the end posts 13 effected by an adjustable mounting. Another possibility is to have the posts of 20 adjustable length.

A yet further modification would be to modify the end hoops 15 so as to "open up" the hoop for improved head access. Thus, for example, the hoop at the head end of the sheep could be made of lesser length and thereby obviate the 25 need for part or all of one leg of the V shaped cross-member 16. This may necessitate a change to the pivot mounting for axle 17.

The apparatus, therefore, provides a means of retaining and presenting a sheep in an advantageous manner so that a shearer can carry out a shearing operation 30 while in a more upright shearing position. The apparatus effectively and efficiently progressively rolls the sheep over from lying on its back to an upright position and during which the support compacts to provide good access to the 14 part of the animal being shorn. Finally, the support compacts away and the animal is supported primarily by the retaining means. The animal can then simply drop from the apparatus onto its feet and clear the apparatus quickly. The machine can then to be reset ready for the next animal to be shorn.

During the shearing operation the wool shorn from the sheep is directed over one side of the apparatus. Therefore in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conveyor could be located adjacent that side of the apparatus to enable the fleece F to be caught and moved away. Because of the arrangement of the 10 hammock 22 and the concertinaing away to one side of the support elements 28, the sheep is correctly presented and the area of the sheep from which the shearer is shearing is well presented so that clear access for the shearer is achieved.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 7 to 20.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a shearing apparatus 40. The shearing apparatus 40 includes a first support means 41 and a second support means 42. The shearing apparatus 40 is shown in a first configuration, in which the first support means 41 is arranged to support an animal to be shorn. The second 20 support means 42, which may also act as a restraining means, is positioned out of the way so as to enable an animal to be loaded onto the first support means The shearing apparatus 40 is supported on a framework 43, which may be 25 similar to that described above with reference to figures 1 to 6. In particular, the framework may be a freestanding framework.

The first support means of this embodiment is formed from a material with sufficient strength such that further structure is not required. So the first support 30 means 41 is simply formed from a single length of flexible material supported at its front edge by a support 65 and at its back edge by a rolling support 65a (both shown in Figure 15).

The shearing apparatus 40 also includes an animal loader 44. In use, an animal is forced into the animal loader 44 via a ramp (not shown). The two plates 45, 46 are then forced together, against the animal, using the pneumatic ram 47 5 (Figure 8). This enables the animal to be accurately positioned on the first support means 41, as will be described below.

Figure 8 shows the animal loader 44 in an open position for receiving an animal. Figure 9 shows the animal loader 44 in a closed position, with the pneumatic 10 ram 47 extended.

The animal loader 44 is mounted on a solid framework 48 which may form part of the framework 43 or may be separate, and the plates 45, 46 rotate about a pivot 49, when driven by a pneumatic ram 50.

Figure 10 shows the animal loader 44, as it moves to load an animal (not shown) onto the first support means 41. Figure 10A shows the position of an animal 51 in the loader, with its head 51a positioned towards a first end 52 of the apparatus 40.

Figure 11 shows the animal loader 44, positioned to release an animal onto the first support means 41. In this position, the pneumatic ram 47 may be released, allowing the animal to slide out from between the plates 45, 46, preferably guided by the shearer, who will be standing beside the apparatus 40.

The animal loader 44 then returns to its loading position, as shown in figure 12, ready to receive another animal. Therefore, a further animal can be positioned in the animal loader 44 while a first animal, now positioned on the first support means 41, is shorn.

The animal's hind, left leg may then be secured in the offside leg restraint 53. This is preferably a positive restraint, which may include a generally U-shaped 16 section for receiving the leg and a gate to close the restraint. The animal's back, right leg may be secured in the nearside leg restraint 54, which is simply in the form of a hook. The combination of a single positive restraint 53 and hook 54 provides adequate restraint of an animal for ease of shearing, but also for safety, 5 preventing an animal from kicking out during the shearing operation. Figure 12A shows an animal 51 positioned on the first support means 41, with its offside hind leg 55 held in the positive restraint 53, and its nearside hind leg 55a held by the hook 54.

The animal is now positioned and its hind legs restrained, and the shearing begins.

This stage of the shearing operation may proceed as follows. A shearer standing adjacent the apparatus 40 makes two long blows along the nearside of the 15 animal, which makes finishing the shearing operation easier, as will become apparent below. The shearer then shears the belly and crutches the animal, shears the near shoulder, neck and off shoulder, rolling the front end of the animal slightly towards the shearer for this last step.

The underside of the animal is now substantially shorn.

The second support means 42 is now lowered onto the underside of the animal using a pneumatic adjustment arrangement 56, as shown in figures 13 and 14. The second support means 42 may consist of a pair of support arms 57, 58 25 which extend along the belly of the animal. The distal portions 59 of the support arms 57, 58 lie between the front legs of the animal. Each support arm 57, 58 may also include a protruding section 60 which presses into the animal at the groin, just inside the hind legs, to position and restrict movement of the hind legs.

Alternatively the shearer may make the two long blows along the near side of the sheep, shear the belly and crutch and then drop the second support means onto 17 the animal. The second support means then serves to restrain the animal as the shearer shears the near shoulder, neck and off shoulder.

With the second support means in place and the underside of the animal substantially shorn, movement of the first support means and of the animal begins. The animal rotates outwards, as shown in Figure 15, with the first support means dropping away (i.e. rotating downwards) and the combination of the first support means and the second support means continuing to support the animal during the rotation.

This rotation is effected as follows. The first support means 41 is supported along its front edge by an elongate support member 65, which may be a bar or tube. The elongate support member 65 is connected at a first end to a fixed support bar 66 via a pivoting arm 67. At a second end the elongate support member 65 is mounted to an end support 68. The second support means 42 is also mounted to the end support 68 and rotation of the end support 68 therefore results in simultaneous rotation of the first and second support means 41, 42.

The end support 68 and the pivoting arm 67 may be driven to rotate by any suitable pneumatic or motor arrangement, or the rotation may be driven by tension on the flexible material forming the first support means 41, as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6.

In any case, as the first support member 41 rotates downwards, the flexible material may be gathered on a roller 69, as shown most clearly in Figure 17.

During the rotation, the shearer shears those parts of the animal that become accessible during the rotation, making long blows along the animal.

Once the rotation has completed, the apparatus reaches a second configuration, in which the first support means is completely withdrawn, as shown in figure 16. The second support means is inverted, and the animal is now supported, right 18 way up, solely by the second support means, as shown in Figure 16A. The shearer finishes the shearing operation, making long blows along the top of the animal.

The leg restraints 53, 54 automatically release during the rotation.

Figure 17 is an end view of the apparatus 40 in the second configuration.

The roller 69 has an asymmetrical cross-section and rotates on an axle 70. In 10 Figure 17a maximum length of the flexible material is held on the roller.

Thus the animal is supported throughout the shearing operation by one or both of the first and second support means 41, 42. The animal can then be released by dropping the second support means, as shown in figure 18.

The first and second support means then return to the starting position, as shown in figure 19, ready to receive another animal from the animal loader 44.

Figure 20 is an end view of the apparatus 40 in the first configuration, showing 20 the position of the roller 69.

Thus, in the first configuration the animal is supported by the first support means. During movement the animal is supported by one or both the first and second support means. At the end of the shearing operation the animal is supported by 25 the second support means. The first an second support means are positioned out of the way at appropriate points of the shearing operation, so as not to interfere.

The first and second configurations and movement between those configurations presents substantially the entire surface of the animal to a shearer for shearing. 30 Preferably the movement is a smooth, continuous movement allowing the shearer to shear parts of the animal as those parts become accessible during the movement. 19 A shearer can therefore use the apparatus to shear an animal without bending down to any great extent. The shearer maintains a substantially upright posture, bending only slightly over the animal.

The various pneumatic rams and adjustment arrangements described above may be replaced by other suitable adjustment arrangements, including manual arrangements. Adjustment may be controlled using pneumatic controls, including individual controls for the pneumatic rams, or a control system such as 10 a microcontroller.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the 15 scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without 20 departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (35)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shearing apparatus including: i. a first support means configured to support an animal during a first stage of a shearing operation; ii. a second support means configured to support the animal during a second stage of the shearing operation; the apparatus being moveable between a first configuration in which the first support means supports the animal, and a second configuration in which the second support means supports the animal and the first support means is withdrawn so as not to interfere in the second stage of the shearing operation; wherein the second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported by the first support means in the first configuration, and wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration includes inversion of the second support means such that, following the inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal.

2. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 configured to support an animal to be shorn at a height such that a shearer can maintain a substantially upright posture while shearing the animal.

3. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 configured to move during the shearing operation so as to present substantially the entire surface of an animal to a shearer for shearing. #

4. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim being movable continuously from the first configuration to the second configuration, the animal being moved continuously from a first position to a second position.

5. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the animal is supported by one or both of the first and second support means during movement from the first configuration to the second configuration. p— INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 21 (followed by page 21a) - 8 OCT 2008 RECEIVED

6. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the animal is inverted in the second configuration relative to its position in the first configuration. 21a (followed by page 22) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 8 OCT 2008 RECEIVED

7. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first support means is moveable to alter the position of an animal to be shorn.

8. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first 5 support means is substantially formed from a flexible material.

9. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the flexible material is supported at a front edge closest to a position occupied by a shearer during shearing, by an elongate support which rotates downwards as the apparatus 10 moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

10. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein one end of the elongate support is mounted on a first end support which also supports the second support means such that the second support means can be lowered from above 15 onto an animal supported by the first support means, wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration includes rotation of the first end support resulting in inversion of the second support means such that, following this inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal and the entire first support means is positioned on the side of the animal 20 further from the position occupied by a shearer during shearing.

11. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein movement of the elongate support is driven by the flexible fabric being wound onto a roller. 25

12. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein in the second configuration the first support means is in a compacted form.

13. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second support means includes one or more bars configured to lie along the underside 30 of an animal. 22

14. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bars extend to lie between the animal's front legs and the animals hind legs.

15. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the bars include 5 protuberances configured to press into an animal at the inside and above the animal's hind legs so as to position and restrict movement of the hind legs.

16. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second support means can be lowered from above onto an animal supported by the first support means, and wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration includes inversion of the second support means such that, following this inversion, the second support means is located underneath the animal. 15

17. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second support means is arranged to be dropped from the second configuration to release an animal from the apparatus.

18. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further including one or more leg restraints configured to restrain at least some of the legs of the animal during at least part of the shearing operation.

19. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the leg restraints include first and second restraints for restraining the animal's hind legs.

20. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first and second restraints are a positive restraint and a hook.

21. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the 30 restraints release automatically during the movement from the first configuration to the second configuration. 23

22. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a freestanding framework supporting the first and second support means.

23. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including an animal 5 loader configured to deliver an animal to the first support means.

24. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the animal loader includes a pen with two side plates, the side plates being moveable between an open position in which an animal can enter the pen and a closed position in 10 which they restrict movement of the animal.

25. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein the animal loader is positioned above the first support means and rotates about an axis parallel to its length to tip an animal down onto the first support means. 15

26. A shearing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including one or more pneumatic rams configured to drive movement of the apparatus.

27. A shearing apparatus including: 20 i. a support means configured to support an animal to be shorn; and ii. restraining means configured to restrain an animal supported on the support means; the support means being movable to alter the presentation of an animal to facilitate shearing of the animal, wherein the support means becomes compacted 25 during movement of the support means and the animal at the completion of the shearing operation is supported principally by the restraining means.

28. A method of shearing an animal using a shearing apparatus configured to support the animal during the shearing operation, the method including: 30 a) positioning an animal in a first position, in which the animal is supported by a first support means; b) shearing part of the animal in the first position; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 8 OCT 2008 REOFI\/Fn 24 c) lowering a second support means from above onto the animal in the first position; d) moving the animal from the first position to a second position, in which the animal is supported by the second support means, while shearing part of the animal which becomes accessible during movement; e) shearing part of the animal in the second position.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein substantially the whole of the animal is shorn during steps b, d and e.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein the animal is supported during movement from the first position to the second position by one or both of the first and second support means.

31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30 wherein the animal is supported in an upright position in the second position, further including lowering the second support means such that the animal is lowered onto the ground so as to release the animal when shearing is complete.

32. A shearing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described.

33. A method of shearing an animal as claimed in claim 28, substantially as herein described.

34. A shearing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A shearing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 7 to 20 of the accompanying drawings. RAY HYLAND ^nd CAROLYN ANN HYLAND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. - 8 OCT 2008 By their Attorneys RECEIVED DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES 25