US3587528A - Confining structure for animals - Google Patents

Abstract

A CONFINING STRUCTURE FOR ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY PIGS, WHICH INCLUDES A FIRST SECTION HAVING A FRAME, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FLOOR SUPPORTED ON THE FRAME, WHEELS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING THE STRUCTURE WITH THE FIRST SECTION FLOOR SPACED ABOVE THE GROUND, A ROOF SPACED ABOVE THE FLOOR, AND OPPOSITE END WALLS EXTENDING UPWARDLY BETWEEN THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE FLOOR AND THE ROOF. A PAIR OF SECOND SECTIONS ARE PROVIDED RESPECTIVELY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FIRST SECTION AND EACH HAVING AN APERTURED FLOOR. EACH OF THE SECOND SECTIONS HAS A FRAME SUPPORTING THE APERTURED FLOOR AND MOVABLY CONNECTED TO THE FRAME OF THE FIRST SECTION FOR MOVEMENT OF THE RESPECTIVE SECOND SECTIONS BETWEEN RETRACTED AND EXTENDED POSITIONS, THE SECOND SECTIONS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS FORMING AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE FIRST SECTION WITH THE APERTURED FLOORS FORMING EXTENSIONS OF THE FIRST SECTION FLOOR. A PAIR OF ROOF EXTENSION SEGMENTS ARE RESPECTIVELY HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FIRST SECTION ROOF FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN EXTENDED AND DEPENDING POSITIONS. THE ROOF SEGMENTS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS ARE RESPECTIVELY SPACED ABOVE THE APERTURED FLOORS OF THE EXTENDED POSITIONS OF THE SECOND SECTIONS AND FORM EXTENSIONS OF THE FIRST SECTION ROOF. THE ROOF SEGMENTS ARE IN THEIR DEPENDING POSITIONS WHEN THE SECOND SECTIONS ARE IN THEIR RETRACTED POSITIONS. A PAIR OF END WALL SEGMENTS RESPECTIVELY ARE HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF EACH OF THE FIRST SECTION END WALLS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN EXTENDED PSOITIONS IN WHICH THEY FORM EXTENSIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE END WALL AND POSITIONS OVERLAYING THE RESPECTIVE END WALLS. THE END WALL SEGMENTS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY EXTEND BETWEEN THE APERTURED FLOORS AND THE ROOF SEGMENTS OF THE SECOND SECTIONS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS. THE SECOND SECTION APERTURED FLOORS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS ARE SPACED ABOVE THE GROUND AND FORM WITH THE ROOF SEGMENTS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS, THE END WALL SEGMENTS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS, AND THE FIRST SECTION FLOOR, ROOF AND END WALLS, A TOTALLY ENCLOSED BUILDING STRUCTURE FOR CONFINING ANIMALS AT A PARTICULAR LOCATION. WITH THE SECOND SECTIONS IN THEIR RETRACTED POSITIONS, THE ROOF SEGMENTS IN THEIR DEPENDING POSITIONS, AND THE END WALL SEGMENTS IN THEIR FOLDED POSITIONS, A TOTALLY ENCLOSED BUILDING STRUCTURE OF SMALLER SIZE IS FORMED. OTHER SIDEWALL SEGMENTS ARE PROVIDED RESPECTIVELY HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE FIRST SECTION END WALLS, THE END WALL SEGMENTS, AND TO THE OUTER SIDES OF THE SECOND SECTIONS FOR PIVOLTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING POSITIONS AND UPWARDLY FOLDED POSITIONS, THESE SIDEWALL SEGMENTS IN THEIR DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING POSITIONS ENGAGE THE GROUND AND TOTALLY ENCLOSE THE SPACE BENEATH THE FIRST SECOND FLOOR AND THE APERTURED FLOORS OF THE SECOND SECTIONS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS THEREBY FACILITATING AIR-CONDITIONING OF THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE. RECEPTACLES ARE PROVIDED AND REMOVABLY POSITIONED BENEATH THE APERTURED FLOORS OF THE SECOND SECTIONS IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS FOR RECEIVING ANIMAL EXCREMENT. A VEHICLE STRUCTURE IS PROVIDED FOR PLACING THE RECEPTACLES IN THEIR COLLECTING POSITIONS BENEATH THE APERTURED FLOORS AND LATER REMOVING THEM, TRANSPORTING THEM TO A NEW LOCATION, AND SPREADING THE MATERIAL ON THE GROUND.

Description

[45] Patented United States Patent Carl V. Lake RR. #1, Woodburn, lnd. 46797 [2 l] Appl. No. 758,794

[22] Filed Sept. 10, 1968 June 28, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] CONFINING STRUCTURE FOR ANIMALS Primary Examiner-Hugh R. Chamblee Attorney-Hood, Gust, lrish & Lundy ABSTRACT: A confining structure for animals, particularly pigs, which includes a first section having a frame, a generally rectangular floor supported on the frame, wheels connected to the frame for movably supporting the structure with the first section floor spaced above the ground, a roof spaced above the floor, and opposite end walls extending upwardly between the opposite ends of the floor and the roof. A pair of second sections are provided respectively on opposite sides of the first section and each having an apertured floor. Each of the second sections has a frame supporting the apertured floor and movably connected to the frame of the first section for movement of the respective second sections between retracted and extended positions, the second sections in their extended positions forming an enlargement of the first section with the apertured floors fonning extensions of the first section floor. A pair of roof extension segments are respectively hingedly connected to the opposite sides of the first section roof for pivotal movement between extended and depending positions. The roof segments in their extended positions are respectively spaced above the apertured floors of the extended positions of the second sections and form extensions of the first section roof. The roof segments are in their depending positions when the second sections are in their retracted positions. A pair of end wall segments respectively are hingedly connected to the opposite sides of each of the first section end walls for pivotal movement between extended positions in which they form extensions of the respective end wall and positions overlaying the respective end walls. The end wall segments in their extended positions respectively extend between the apertured floors and the roof segments of the second sections in their extended positions. The second section apertured floors in their extended positions are spaced above the ground and form with the roof segments in their extended positions, the end wall segments in their extended positions, and the first section floor, roof and end walls, a totally enclosed building structure for confining animals at a particular location. With the second sections in their retracted positions, the roof segments in their depending positions, and the end wall segments in their folded positions, a totally enclosed building structure of smaller size is formed.

Other sidewall segments are provided respectively hingedly connected to the first section end walls, the end wall segments, and to the outer sides of the second sections for pivotal movement between downwardly extending positions and upwardly folded positions, these sidewall segments in their downwardly extending positions engage the ground and totally enclose the space beneath the first section floor and the apertured floors of the second sections in their extended positions thereby facilitating air-conditioning of the entire structure.

Receptacles are provided and removably positioned beneath the apertured floors of the second sections in their extended positions for receiving animal excremenLA vehicle structure is provided for placing the receptacles in their collecting positions beneath the apertured floors and later removing them; transporting them to a new location, and spreading the matrial on the ground.

PATENTEU JUN28I97I SHEET 1 OF 5 FIG.2'

Inventor CARLV. LAKE m Hooo eus'nlmsmiLuwov ttorneys PATENTED M28 lHYI SHEET 2 [1F 5 II 1111 I Inventor CARL LAKE M1 HoomGusTJmsHqLurwv A'ktormzys PATENTED JUH28 l97| SHEET 3 OF 5 FIG.6

lnvencor LCARL LAKE b. Uoo GusTJRBH #LUNDY Attorneys BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention This invention relates generally to confining structures for animals, and more particularly to an enclosure for pigs arranged for expansion to an enlarged form for use at a particular'location and for contraction to a smaller form for movement to another location.

2. Description Of The Prior Art A wide variety of animal pen and house constructions have been used in the past. Some of these have employed a knockdown construction thereby being portable. Others have been capable of movement from one location to another by means of skids or wheels, however, there is a practical limitation to the overall size of such a pen or house which can be moved across a field or on a highway with an ordinary fann tractor. No animal pen or housing known to the present applicant has incorporated an expansible construction so as to be portable in retracted form and used in an enlarged form at the desired new location, such a construction also incorporating in its expanded form a slatted or apertured floor spaced from the ground permitting collection of animal excrement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the particular case of swine husbandry, there are instances in which it is desirable to permit pigs to graze in a particular field or area while providing them with a protective shelter, and then, after a period of time, to transfer the pigs to another field or location. This requires movement of theshelte'r. It is also desirable to provide means for collecting and removing the excrement from the shelter and then transferring it to yet another location, and then spreading it upon the ground as fertilizer. While conventional manure spreaders have been used for this purpose, considerable manual labor is required, in order to load the spreader. Further, there are certain instances in which it is desired to confine the pigs within the shelter or housing and to provide suitable air-conditioning or ventilation therefor.

The invention in its broader aspects provides a confining structurefor animals having a first section including a frame with a floor on the frame, the frame supporting the floor on a supporting surface in spaced-apart relation therewith. In the preferred embodiment, the first section is supported by wheels thereby permitting movement of the structure from one location to another. A second section is provided including an apertured floor and means connected to the first section for supporting the second section for movement between retracted and extended positions. In its extended position, the second section forms an enlargement of the first section with FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the animal confining structure of the invention in its expanded position;

the floor thereof being spaced above the supporting surface and forming an extension of the first section floor.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved confining structure for animals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved confining structure for animals which can be retracted to a smaller size for movement from one location to another, and which can be a larger size for use when at the desired location.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved confining structure for animals including a floor having an apertured portion spaced above the ground thereby permitting the positioning of a movable receptacle therebeneath for collecting animal excrement.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide an improved collecting, conveying and unloading implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention'itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the improved material receiving, conveying and unloading implement of the invention; 1

FIG. 3 is a top view, partly broken away and partly in cross section, illustrating the improved confining structure of FIG. 1 in its expanded position and showing the use of the improved material-receiving and -conveying implement therewith;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the confining structure of the invention in its expanded position, partly broken away, and further illustrating the positioning of the excrement-collecting receptacle beneath the apertured floor;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an end view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the retraction of the confining structure from its expanded to its retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, further illustrating the expansion and retraction structure;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective, partly broken away, still further illustrating the confining structure of the invention and the structure providing the expansion and retraction feature;

'FIG. 11 is a side view of the improved material-receiving, conveying and -spreading implement of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view further illustrating a feature of the implement of FIGS. 2 and 11; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary and perspective view, partially in cross section, of the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 through 10 of the drawings, there is shown, generally indicated at 20, the improved animal shelter or housing of the invention, FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 10 illustrating the expanded'form of the structure.

The housing 20 comprises a main section 22 having a supporting frame 24. Frame 24 comprises four transversely spaced-apart, parallel, elongated frame elements 26, 28, 30 and 32, which may be steel channels, as shown. Frame elements 26, 28, 30 and 32 extend longitudinally and have conventional ground-engaging wheels 34 connected thereto, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, for supporting the structure and for moving the structure from one location to another. A conventional trailer hitch 36 may be connected to the frame 24 at one end thereof. Frame 24 also includes a plurality of elongated, spaced, parallel, transversely extending frame elements 38, which also may be steel channels, as shown.

A generally rectangular, imperforate, floor 40 is provided formed of a suitable material, such as plywood, secured to and supported by the frame 24. A conventional peaked roof 42 is provided supported above the floor 40 by a conventional framing construction, shown here as comprising a ridge pole 44, rafters 46, two rows of exterior studs 48, and two rows of interior supporting posts 50 which mutually define a center aisle 52. Suitable skylights 54 may be provided in the roof 42 of the main section 22, as shown.

A plurality of retractable and expansible sections 56 are provided on the opposite sides of the main section 22. Each of the expansible sections 56 comprises a frame 58, a slatted flooring 60 removably supported on the frame 58 when in its extended position, and an upwardly extending sidewall 62. Each of the expansible section frames 58 comprises a plurality of elongated, spaced, parallel, transversely extending frame elements 64, 66, 68 and 70. .These transversely extending frame elements, which may be formed of wood, as suggested in FIG. 10, or which may be suitable metal channels, as suggested in FIG. 4, are supported and guided for lateral movement by a suitable tubular member 72 mounted on the respective transverse frame elements 38. In the case of adjacent sections 56, the immediately adjacent transverse frame elements 64 and 70 are supported and guided for lateral movement by a pair of tubular members 720 and 72b mounted on opposite sides of the same frame element 38, as best seen in FIG. 4.

It will now be seen that each of the sections 58 may be moved laterally between a retracted position, as seen in the left-hand side of FIG.- 8, and an expanded position as seen in FIGS. 3, 5, the right-hand side of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10, FIG. 9 showing movement of a section 56 between its two positions. In the expanded positions of the sections 56, the slatted flooring 60 is supported on the movable frame elements 64, 66, 68 and 70, as shown in FIGS. 3, and 10, and in dashed lines at 60a in FIG. 9. The slatted flooring 60 is removed in order to permit retraction of the sections 56 to their retracted positions and may be stored within the main section 22, as suggested in dashed lines 60b in FIG. 9. It will be seen that in their expanded positions, the sections 56 form an enlargement of the main section 22, and that the slatted flooring 60 in essence forms an extension of the imperforate floor 40.

It will be seen that the wheels 34 support the floor 40 of the main section 22 at an elevation above the ground 76 and, that the slatted flooring 60 of the expansible sections 56 in their expanded positions are likewise supported above the ground in overhanging relationship, as best seen in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10. Auxiliary support posts 78 may be provided pivotally mounted on the outer ends of certain of the movable frame elements 64, 66, 68 and 70 for further supporting the expansible sections 56 in their extended positions, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9.

A plurality of roof segments 80 are provided in the same number as the sections 56 and hingedly connected to the opposite sides 82 and 84 of the main roof 42 by suitable hinges 86. The outer roof segments 80 are pivotally mounted for movement between extended positions as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, the right-hand side of FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, and downwardly depending positions as shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 8. In their extended positions, the outer roof segments 80 are spaced above the slatted flooring 60 of the expansible sections 56 in their extended positions, are supported by the upper edge 88 of the sidewalls 62, and form extensions of the main roof 42. In their depending positions, as shown in the left-hand side of FIG. 8, the outer roof segments 80 overlie the sidewalls 62 of the expansible sections 56 in their retracted positions, thereby completing the enclosure of the main section 22 while in its retracted position.

Main section 22 is provided with a pair of end walls 90 at its opposite ends respectively extending upwardly between the floor 40 and the roof 42. Each of the end walls 90 is provided with a pair of end wall segments 92 and 94, respectively hingedly connected to the opposite sides of the end wall 90 by suitable hinges 96. End wall segments 92 and 34 are thus pivotally mounted for movement between expanded positions as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, and retracted positions overlaying the respective end walls 90, as shown in FIG. 8. End wall segments 92 and 94 in their expanded positions extend upwardly between the slatted flooring 60 and the outer roof segments 80 in the expanded condition of the expansible sections 56, and extend outwardly from the sides of the end walls 90 to the sidewalls 62, thus forming extensions of the end walls 90.

Access doors 98 are provided in the end walls 90 and they further have a smaller pig access door 100 therein, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Suitable ramps 102 may be provided to permit the pigs to enter and leave the building 20.

A plurality of lower sidewall segments 104 is provided respectively pivotally connected, as by hinges 106 to the end walls 90, the end wall segments 92 and 94, and the upper sidewalls 62. The lower sidewall segments 104 are pivotally mounted for movement between extended, depending positions, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 10, and folded upper positions, as shown in FIG. 8. The lower edges 108 of the lower sidewall segments 104 have suitable sealing gaskets 110 connected thereto which engage the ground 76 when the lower sidewall segments 104 are in their extended positions, as best seen in FIG. 7. It will be seen that when the lower sidewall segments 104 are in their extended, depending positions, they respectively form extensions of the end walls 90, end wall segments 92 and 94, and upwardly extending sidewalls 62. Further, each of the hinged connections between the roof segments and roof 42, and between the end wall segments 92 and 94 and the end wall are preferably provided with suitable seals 112, as best seen in FIG. 6. It will thus be seen that when in its completely extended position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the entire building 20 is completely sealed thus facilitating economical air-conditioning thereof if desired.

In order to receive, collect, remove and distribute the animal excrement, a plurality of receptacles 114 is provided having open upper ends respectively positioned beneath the slatted flooring 60 of each of the expansible sections 56 when in its extended position, as shown in FIG. 5. Receptacles 114 are deposited in the space between the ground 76 and the slatted flooring 60, removed therefrom when full, conveyed to another location, and employed to spread the contents upon the ground by the improved conveying implement 118 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 12 and now to be described. Each of the receptacles 114 has a part-cylindrical sidewall 120 and opposite end walls 122, 124 which mutually define the open top end 116. Each receptacle 114 thus has a major axis extending transversely through the opposite end walls 122 and 124. Each of the end walls 122 and 124 has a pivot and support post 126 thereon which are aligned on the axis parallel with the major axis.

Implement 118 comprises a generally U-shaped main frame 128 having opposite leg portions 130 and a connecting forward portion 132, the main frame 128 thus being open at its rear end, as best seen in FIG. 3. A conventional trailer hitch 134 is connected to the forward end 132 of the main frame 128. Ground wheels 136 are respectively connected to the leg portions 130 of the main frame 128.

A generally U-shaped actuating frame 138 is provided having opposite leg portions 140 and a connecting portion 142, the actuating frame 138 likewise being open at its rear end as best seen in FIG. 3. Leg portions 140 of the actuating frame 138 are respectively pivotally connected intermediate their ends to leg portions 130 of the main frame 128, as at 144. For ward end 142 of the actuating frame 138 is actuated for pivotal movement between lower and upper positions by a suitable fluid power cylinder 146. The outer ends 148 of the pivoted arms 140 respectively have generally U-shaped yoke portions 150 formed thereon for respectively engaging and rotatably supporting the pivot and support posts 126 of a receptacle 114.

Particular reference to FIG. 11 will now reveal that with this arrangement, a receptacle 114 may be pivotally moved from an extreme lower position, as shown in the dashed lines 114a in which it is supported upon the ground 76 by leg elements 152 through an intermediate position shown in solid lines to an extreme upper position as shown in dashed lines 11%. Reference to FIG. 11 will further reveal that with a receptacle 114 resting upon the ground, as shown in dashed lines at 114a, further slight downward pivotal movement of the arms 140, as shown in dashed lines at 140a, will disengage the yoke or fork portions 150 from the pivot and support posts 126, thus permitting the implement 118 to be removed from the receptacle 114 and leaving the receptacle freely resting upon the ground.

In order to stir the contents of the receptacle 114, and also to spread the same upon the ground, as will hereinafter be described, an agitating assembly 154 is provided comprising a plurality of self-supporting rodlike elements 156 mounted upon a member 158 rotatably supported by and extending between the end walls 122 and 124 and positioned at or adjacent the major access of the receptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 12, in order to drive the agitating assembly 154, one end 160 of the member 158 projects beyond the respective sidewall 122 and has a driven gear 162 thereon.

A driving gear 164 is rotatably mounted on one end of a manually actuated lever member 166 pivotally mounted on the sidewall 122, a at 168. Gear 164 is in turn connected in driving relationship with a suitable friction wheel 170. Lever 166 is based into one of two overcenter positions by a conventional overcenter spring 172. In one of its positions, shown in solid lines in FIG. 12, gear 164 is in mesh with gear 162 and wheel 170 is in driving engagement with the respective ground wheel 136. In its other position, shown in dashed lines at 1660 in FIG. 12, gear 164 is out of mesh with gear 162 and wheel 170 is out of driving engagement with the wheel 136, as shown in dashed lines at 170a. With lever 166 positioned so that wheel 170 is in driving engagement with wheel 136 and with gear 164 thus in mesh with gear 162, movement of the implement 118 across the ground will cause rotation of the agitator assembly 154 thereby to stir the contents of the receptacle 114 and/or spread the contents upon the ground as will shortly be described. With the lever 166 in its other overcenter'position 166a, wheel 170 is moved away from wheel 136 thus permitting the receptacle 114 to be lowered to its ground-supported position 114a, as shown in FlG. 11.

Receptacle 114 may be tilted to unloading or spreading position, as shown in dashed lines at 114bin FIG. 11, with its open end 116 facing rearwardly, by means of a suitable gear 174 concentric with the pivot support posts 126 driven by a suitable fluid power motor 176 mounted on one of the pivoted arms 140, as shown in FIG. 11.

It will thus be seen that the implement 118 with an empty receptacle 114 thereon in the transporting position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 11, may be backed so as to position the receptacle under a respective slatted floor section 60, cylinder 146 actuated so as to lower the arms 140 to the position shown in dashed lines at l40athereby to lower the receptacle 114 to its ground-engaging position 114a, and the implement 118 then moved forwardly to leave the receptacle in its excrementreceiving position, as shown in FIG. 5. When the receptacle 114 is full, the implement 118 may again be backed into position with its arms 140 lowered to position 140a, the cylinder 146 actuated to raise the arms and the receptacle to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 11, and the implement with the receptacle supported thereon then transported to another location with wheel 170 engaging ground wheel 136 and thus driving the agitating assembly 154 to stir the contents of the receptacle. The receptacle may then be tilted by the drive motor 176 to its unloading position 114k lowered to a lower position adjacent the ground by cylinder 146, following which continued forward movement of the implement will result in spreading of the material on the ground.

The forward and rear edges of the sidewall 120 and the top edges of the end walls 122 and 124 may be provided with suitable pivoted flaps 178 and 180, as shown in FIG. 2, which may be moved between open positions, as shown, and closed positions partly overlaying the open end 116 thereby to assist in retaining the material therein.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the bottom portion of the receptacle 114 is shown to have a plurality of spaced-apart holes 200 therein. Through holes 200, the contents of the receptacle 114 may be spread upon the ground at a slower rate than by tilting the receptacle 114 as above described. in the specific embodiment illustrated, each hole 200 is provided with a device 202 for selectively closing the hole when desired. Devices 202 comprise a lever 204 having a handle portion 206 and a portion 208. A bracket 210 is securely mounted on the receptacle 114 adjacent each hole 200. Devices 202 are pivotally connected to brackets 210 in a manner to position a portion 208 of a device 202 over each hole 200 in a holeclosed position 212. In position 212, handle portion 206 is in a spaced-apart relation with the receptacle 114. A spring 216 is positioned between portion 206 and receptacle 114 to resiliently urge device 202 into position 212. However, device 202 may be pivotally moved into a hole-open position 214 by moving the portion 206 toward the receptacle 114 whenever it is desired to spread the contents of receptacle 114 upon the ground. A holder 218 is pivotally connected to receptacle 114 such that it may be positioned in position 220 to overlay portion 206 and hold device 200 in the position 214 when desired. Holder 218 can also be moved into position 222 when device 200 is desirably in hole-closed position 212.

It can be readily seen that with one or more of the devices 200 in positions 214, the contents of the receptacle 114 will be spread upon the ground at a slower rate than by tilting the receptacle 114 as above described. Continued movement of the implement l 18 with one or more of the devices 202 in the hole-open position 214 will result in generally even distribution of the contents of the receptacle 114 over the ground.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example an not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. A knockdown-type confining building structure for animals comprising a first section including a floor, first means for movably supporting said first section on a supporting surface, said first section floor being spaced above said surface, a second section having a removable floor, said second section floor having apertures therein, second means on said first section for supporting said second section, said second section being an enlargement of said first section, said second section floor being spaced above said surface and forming an extension of said first section floor, said second section floor and said surface defining a space therebetween, said space being substantially free of tangible structure.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first supporting means includes wheel means for moving said structure on said supporting surface.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second supporting means includes means for retracting said second section into generally the space occupied by said first section.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said first section includes a first frame for supporting said floor, said first supporting means being connected to said first frame, said second section including a second frame, said second supporting means connecting said second frame to said first frame, wherein said apertured floor is supported on said second frame in said extended position of said second section, said second frame including at least two spaced apart elongated elements, said second frame elements being movable in relation to said first frame, said second supporting means including means connected to said first frame for guiding the movement of said second frame elements between said positions thereof.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said first section includes a frame supporting said floor, a first roof segment spaced above said first section floor, and a pair of opposite walls respectively extending upwardly between said first section floor and said first roof segment, said second supporting means including means connected to said frame for guiding the movement of said second section, and further comprising a second roof segment respectively hingedly connected to said first roof segment in a manner allowing pivotal movement between downwardly depending and extended positions, said second roof segment in said extended position being respectively spaced above said second section floor and forming an extension of said first roof segment, said second section respectively having upstanding walls which in said extended position of said second section respectively support said second roof segment in its extended position, each of said opposite walls having an extension segment respectively hingedly connected thereto for pivotal movement between an extended position in which said extension segments form an extension of the respective wall and folded positions overlaying a portion of the respective wall, said extension segments in said extended positions thereof respectively extending between said second section floor in said extended positions thereof and said second roof segment insaid extended positions thereof.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein there are a plurality of adjacent second sections on each side of said first section, said second supporting means including means for guiding each of said second sections for independent movement, and wherein there are a plurality of said second roof segments on each side of said first roof segment respectively corresponding to said second sections 7. The structure of claim wherein each of said hinged connections includes means for sealing the parts connected by said connections.

8. The structure of claim 5 wherein said frame is a frame of a mobile home, and said first supporting means is the undercarriage of a mobile home.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of second sections.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second section includes means for removably supporting said apertured floor.

11. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sidewalls, third means for mounting certain of said sidewalls to said first section, and fourth means for mounting other of said side walls on said second section, said sidewalls in a first position engaging said supporting surface.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said third and fourth support means include means for allowing said sidewalls to move between said first position and a retracted position.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein each of said sidewalls has means thereon for sealing between said supporting surface and said side wall.

14. The structure of claim 1 further comprising receptacle means open at its top and removably positioned below said apertured floor in said extended position.

15. The structure of claim 14 further comprising vehicle means for selectively positioning said receptacle means below said apertured floor and removing the same from below said apertured floor and spreading the contents thereof upon the ground, said vehicle means including means for selectively engaging said receptacle means, means for selectively lowering and raising said receptacle between a lower position with said receptacle resting upon the ground and an upper carrying position, means for stirring the contents of said receptacle means during the movement of said vehicle means, and means for rotating said receptacle means between a material-receiving and -carrying position and a tilted unloading position.

Images