US2536268A - Adjustable slaughtering cradle - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 2, 1951 c, D N 2,536,268

ADJUSTABLE SLAUGHTERING CRADLE Filed Aug. 51, 1946 Znmcutor (/yae E. 0/7/0/7.

(Ittornegs Patented Jan. 2, 1951 ADJUSTABLE. SLAUGHTERI-NG CRADLE Clyde E. Dillon; Kansas City, M01, assigno'r, by

mesne assignments; to Raymond'H. Starr, Kansas City, Mo.

ApplicationAugust 31, 1946, Serial No. 694,374v

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates. to a. cradle for use in slaughtering plants to facilitate legging andsiding of beef. and skinning of hogs.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a cradle that is adapted to conform with the" width. and shape of an animals back so as to support stably the carcass at a convenient height.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a cradle of this character that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which promotes cleaner andwbetter working conditions and results in cleaner hides.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, Iv have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is i'llu-strated'in' the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a cradle constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cradle.

Fig. 3 is an end view partly in section to better illustrate adjustability of the cross members.

Referring more in detail to the drawings;

1 designates a cradle constructed in accordance with the present invention and which includes spaced rail members 2 and 3 having substantially parallel median portions 4 and 5 and outwardly diverging end portions 6'l and 89. Each rail is preferably formed of a section of pipe or the equivalent and has bends l and ii spaced inwardly from the ends to provide the diverging portion 6-'! and 8-9. The ends of the rails are supported by legs |2-I3 and I l-l which are preferably formed of the same material as the rails and which are welded thereto at substantially right angles thereto as indicated at IS.

The intermediate portions of the rails are supported by similar legs I1 and 18 having upper ends fixed to the rails. The legs are of a length to support the rails at the desired height. Corresponding legs i2--l3, H-l8 and l ll 5 are interconnected b cross members I9, 20 and 2| respectively. Each cross member includes a tubular section or the equivalent 22 welded to the legs at one side at points spaced from the ends thereof and which extend at substantially right angles toward the opposite side to cooperate with a complementary section 23 that is slidable in the tubular section 22. The sections 22 and 23 of the endmost cross members are adapted to be fixed together by a pin 24 that is insertable through one of a series of openings 25 in the tubular section 22 and through one of a series of openings 26 of the sections 23. The pins 24' are preferably provided with eye-shaped heads 2-? to facilitate removal and placement thereof.

The rails are thus adapted to be adjustedlaterally to and from each other' to conformto the back width of the carcass to besupported' thereon. In order to suppofl' the back of the carcass intermediate" the rails, the rail'sare interconnected by crosssupports 2'3, 2'9 and 3t; each include m a pair of complementary arms 31' and 32 having openings and 3 for pivotally mounting the arms on the rails. The adjacent ends of the arms overlap and are pivotally connected to ether by fastening devices such as bolts 35.

The cross supports are spaced suitable distances apart alon the length of the median portions oftherails so that they are in position to support adequately the back of an animal... The cross supportscooperat'e to form a substantially V-shaped'trough in which the back of the animal is supported while the fore and hind quarters are carried by the diverging portions of the rails.

In using the device for supporting animals having substantially flat straight backs, the pins 24 are removed from the cross bars and the rails are moved apart so that the arms of the cross supports substantially approach a straight line position, after which the pins are reinserted in the proper apertures to maintain the adjustment. In case the device is used for supporting poor grade of animals or those having relatively thin narrow backs and flanks, the rails are readjusted and brought nearer together, in which position the arms of the cross members form a deeper trough-like support and more nearly conform to the back of the animal.

While the device is especially adapted for the legging and siding or beer, it is also suitable ior supporting hogs when they are being skinned.

It is obvious that the cradle supports the animal in convenient height above the floor, promotes cleaner and better working conditions, and also results in cleaner hides because the animal is kept off of the blood that accumulates on the floor.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a cradle device that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which is well adapted for its intended purpose.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cradle for use in slaughtering plants including side rails upon which the opposite sides of the back of an animal are adapted to rest, legs spaced along the length of the side rails and having upper ends fixed directly to the rails for supporting the rails from a floor, adjustable cross members connecting the legs of one rail with opposite legs of the other rail below said rails to adjustably space the rails apart in accordance with the width of the animals back, supporting members in spaced apart relation in the longitudinal direction of said rails to provide open spaces between said supporting members and each comprising complementary bars having ends pivotally connected with the rails, and pivot means connecting the complementary arm on one rail with the complementary arm on the other rail to provide substantially narrow substantially V-shaped supports for the back of the animal between said open spaces and adjustable in angularity with adjustment of the cross members.

2. A cradle for use in slaughtering plants including side rails upon which opposite sides of the back of an animal are adapted to rest and having their respective ends diverging outwardly from substantially parallel intermediate portions, legs having upper ends directly fixed to the diverging ends of the rails for supporting the rails from the floor, telescoping cross members connecting the legs of one rail with opposite legs of the other rail to adjustably space the rails apart in accordance with the width of the animal's back, transverse supporting bars spaced along parallel portions of the rails and forming relatively narrow transverse V-shaped supports for engaging spaced points along the back of the animal and providing open spaces therebetween, each of said transverse bars comprising complementary members having ends pivotally connected with the rails at points spaced along the rails, and pivot means connecting the complementary member on one rail with the complementary member on the other rail for adjustment in angularity with adjustment of the length of the members of the cross bars.

3. A cradle for use in slaughtering plants including side rails upon which opposite sides of the back of an animal are adapted to rest and having their respective ends diverging outwardly from substantially parallel intermediate portions, legs having upper ends directly fixed to the diverging ends of the rails for supporting the rails from the floor, similar legs having upper ends directly connected with the parallel portions of the rails, telescoping cross members connecting legs of one rail with opposite legs of the other rail to adjustably space the rails apart in accordance with CLYDE E. DILLON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 341,377 Finlay May 4, 1886 855,219 Anthony May 28, 1907 1,059,712 Conkey Apr. 22, 1913 1,159,528 Noonan Nov. 9, 1915 1,445,487 Clark Feb. 13, 1923 1,962,799 Whitmarsh June 12, 1934

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