WO2005027626A1

WO2005027626A1 - Animal handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005027626A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/003970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melvin Brian Driver
Original assignee: M.D.C. Exports Limited
Priority date: 2003-09-20
Filing date: 2004-09-17
Publication date: 2005-03-31
Also published as: GB0322093D0; GB0420701D0; GB2406032A; GB2406032B

Abstract

An animal handling apparatus and characterised by including a hand holdable rod/pole (l) with a hand holdable end (3) and an axial bore for receiving a cable/lead (4) longer in length than that of the rod/pole (1) so as to be able to extend from each end of the rod/pole, a retaining element (24, 27, 28, 29) located adjacent the other end of the rod/pole that is remote from the hand holdable end adapted for engagement with the free end (7, 8) of that part of the cable/lead that extends from this other end so as to form said part into a closed animal engageable loop (40), a latching mechanism adjacent the hand holdable end (1) that allows control over the magnitude of the loop (40), and means (32, 33, 35) manually operable from the hand holdable end (3) for enabling remote release of the cable/lead free end from the retaining element to open said loop.

Description

ANIMAL HANDLING APPARATUS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to animal handling apparatus.

In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is concerned with equipment for the handling of stray animals. Stray animals can include virtually all breeds of household pets, working dogs or the like. In addition, stray animals can also be regarded as including wild animals that have made an incursion into locations where their presence is not acceptable

Generally speaking, in relation to stray animals there is always a basic problem in that such animals can become very apprehensive and resistant to any attempts to catch and restrain or otherwise handle them.

It needs to be appreciated that most stray animals when approached by a person desiring to catch and restrain the freedom of the animal the animal resists such approaches and in so doing can inflict injury to the person or persons in question.

This situation creates in general major problems in both catching the animal and having caught the animal releasing the animal into, for example, a cage without the person attempting the catching and subsequent release being injured.

It should be noted that whilst the term stray has been used it is intended to relate to animals that may not be strays in the literal sense of the word but also includes animals that show signs of resisting human approach and handling

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for facilitating the capture and subsequent release of animals. STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an animal handling apparatus and characterised by including a hand holdable rod/pole with a hand holdable end and an axial bore for receiving a cable/lead longer in length than that of the rod/pole so as to be able to extend from each end of the rod/pole, a retaining element located adjacent the other end of the rod pole that is remote from the hand holdable end adapted for engagement with the free end of that part of the cable/lead that extends from this other end so as to form said part into a closed animal engageable loop, a latching mechanism adjacent the hand holdable 0 end of the rod pole that allows control over the magnitude of the loop, and means manually operable from the hand holdable end for enabling remote release of the cable/lead free end from the retaining element to open said loop.

Preferably the latching mechanism is such as that when in a first setting allows displacement of the cable/lead relative to the rod/pole in the sense as to allow , increase in the size of the loop and when in a second setting allows displacement of the cable/lead in only that direction that reduces the size of the loop

Preferably the latching mechanism incorporates two relatively displaceable members, of which one mounts latching elements co-operable with the cable/lead, the arrangement being such that relative displacement of the members in a first 20 direction locks the cable/lead against movement relative to the rod/pole in a first direction but not the opposite, and relative displacement of the members in a reverse direction to the first direction allows movement of of the cable/lead in said opposite direction.

Preferably the relatively displaceable members comprise inner and outer sleeves, the outer sleeve being connected to hand holdable end of said rod/pole and the 25 inner sleeve being axially displaceable with respect to the outer sleeve, and in which the inner sleeve mounts a group of said latching elements, the arrangement being such that relative displacement of the sleeves in a first direction causes the elements to wedge between the outer sleeve and the cable/lead thereby to prevent displacement of the latter relative the rod/pole and displacement of the sleeves in 5 the opposite direction releases such wedging action to allow rod/cable displacement.

Conveniently the latching elements include a plurality of positionally displaceable elements equiangularly spaced around the longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve.

, ^ In a preferred construction the inner sleeve is resiliently loaded such as to prevent cable/lead displacement in the sense as to increase the size of the loop.

In a further preferred construction the remotely releasable means includes an element engageable with the free end of the cable/lead that is remote from the hand holdable end of the rod/pole to form a loop in the cable/lead, the element _{j 5} being releasable from the free end from a location adjacent to the hand holdable end of the rod/pole.

Preferably the latching elements includes a plurality of balls equiangularly spaced around the longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve

Conveniently the inner sleeve is resiliently loaded such as to prevent cable/lead 20 displacement in the sense as to increase the size of the loop..

Preferably the free end of the cable/lead is provided with an eyelet that is engageable with a pin axially displaceable of the rod/pole in such manner as to be moveable between a displaced position in which the eyelet can be engaged with the free end thereof and a rest position in which the eyelet cannot be disengaged « r from the end thereof. Conveniently the pin is resiliently loaded into said rest position, and means are provided at a location adjacent to the hand holdable end of the rod/pole for enabling the pin to be displaced against the resilient loading thereof

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 very schematically illustrates a general view fragmentary of the apparatus for handling an animal, the apparatus being illustrated when not in use,

Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic view of an embodiment of the handle end of the apparatus when in a first operating/latching position, and

Figure 3 very schematically illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 , when the apparatus of the invention is arranged for use in handling an animal

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings the apparatus shown therein includes a main body in the form of a hollow rod/pole 1

A shaped handle cover part 2 is located adjacent to one end 3 of the rod/pole, the part 2 having a conventional handle shape

A cable/lead 4 is threaded through the rod/pole I One end 5 of the cable/lead namely that projecting from the handle end is provided with a ferule 6 that prevents the end 5 from being pulled through the rod/pole The other end 7 of the cab/lead projects from the other end of the rod/pole 1 and is provided with an eyelet 8 as is indicated in the Figure I .

As will be discussed hereinafter arrangements are provided for enabling this other end of the cable/lead to be effectively selectively releasably connected to the end of the apparatus remote from its handle end using the eyelet 8 in such manner that a loop of the cable/lead is formed which in use of the apparatus is arranged to be large enough to be readily engaged over an animal's head to enable controlled handling and subsequently to be reduced in size to prevent the animal from freeing itself from the tightened loop for the purposes of avoiding controlled handling. As will also be mentioned the release of the animal is possible from the handle end of the apparatus.

A cable/lead clamping unit 9 is mounted to the handle end 3 of the rod/pole 1 and is shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 2. As will be noted the unit 9 includes an outer sleeve 10 that is provided with a screw thread at one end 1 1 whereby this sleeve end can be secured to the end 3 of the rod/pole 1.

The other end of the sleeve 10 is closed by an annular plate 14 having a bore within which a second sleeve 15 is axially slidable. The sleeve 15 projects outwardly of the end 16 of the sleeve 10 to provide a finger grip 17. The sleeve 15 is resiliently loaded by a partially compressed compression spring 18. One end 19 of the spring 18 co-operates with the internal annular flange 20 of the plate 14 The other end of the spring co-operates with an abutment 21 provided on the interior of the outer sleeve 10. With this arrangement the inner sleeve 15 is resiliently loaded by the spring 18 in the direction into the outer sleeve 10. By means of the finger grip 17 the sleeve 14 can be pulled outwardly of the sleeve 10 against the action of the spring 18.

It will be understood that the cable/lead 4 is axially displaceable within the inner sleeve 15. The inner sleeve 15 mounts latching elements 22 constituted by spherical balls in such manner that one part of each of the elements is able to co-operate with the inner surface of the outer sleeve 10, and that another part of each of the elements 22 is able to co-operate with the cable/lead 4. In practice three such elements 22 are equiangularly spaced around the axis of the inner sleeve 15 .

The dimensioning of the elements 22 is such that when the inner sleeve 15 is set by the action of the spring to its inner most or rest relative to the outer sleeve 10 the elements 22 allow the cable/lead 3 to be pulled through the rod/pole 1 in the direction towards the end 3 of the rod/pole 1. It should be noted that the movement in such direction the inner sleeve 14 may slightly displace the sleeve 15 outwardly of the sleeve 10 to permit a smooth displacement of the cable/lead 4. At the same time a pull exerted on the cable/lead in the opposite direction will act in such manner as to tend to pull the inner sleeve 15 in its inward direction. By reason of a relative tapering of the facing surfaces of the inner and outer sleeves 15,10 the elements are moved into their positions in which they contact/jam against the inside surface of the outer sleeve 10 and also against the surface of the cable/lead 4 and in so doing prevent displacement in the cable relative to the rod/pole 1 in the direction from left to right in the Figures.

In other words the elements 22 have a rest position which allows free movement of the cable/lead lengthways of the rod/tube in the direction from right to left of the Figures but prevents displacement of the cable/lead in the reverse direction that is in a direction away from the handle end of the rod 1.

This facility results in allowing the animal handler to draw in the cable/lead 4 to reduce the size of the loop.

The clamping unit 9 has a operated setting in which the the cable/lead 4 is free to move relative to the rod/pole so that the handler is able freely to retrieve the cable/lead to reduce length of the part 7 and thus the size of the loop. This operated setting of the clamping unit 9 is obtained by pulling the inner sleeve 15 outwardly of the outer sleeve 10. This movement moves the elements to a position in which they do not jam against the cable 4.

Upon releasing the clamping unit 9 the resilient loading produced by the spring 18 automatically moves the inner sleeve to its rest position whereby any pull exerted by an animal on the cable 4 locks the cable against displacement in the direction from left to right and thus increase the size of the loop to facilitate escape from the loop.

The arrangement for forming the loop includes at the other end region of the _Q rod/pole 1 remote from the handle end 3 a sleeve 23 the is secured to the rod/pole by suitable adhesive.

The cable/lead loop forming arrangement incorporates a release means including a bracket 24 mounted to the sleeve 23. This bracket comprises a hollow main body 25 from which projects three lugs 26, 27 and 28. These lugs are directed 5 perpendicular to the main body 25 and thus the longitudinal axis of the rod/pole I .

A short pin 29 is axially slidable in appropriate bores formed in the lugs 26 and 27.

The pin 29 is resiliently loaded by a compression spring 30 that acts between the lug 26 and a ferrule 31. This ferrule is provided at one end of a wire 32 that0 enters a bore 33 in the wall of the main body adjacent to the lug 25 travels length ways of the interior of the rod/pole 1 to emerge from the rod/pole at a location adjacent to the handle 2. The end 34 of the wire adjacent to the handle 2 is formed into a loop. A finger pull ring 35 is provided upon the loop.

A shallow recess for receiving the end 35 of the pin 29 is formed in the lug 28. The resilient loading of the spring 30 is such that the pin 29 is moved to a position in which the rod end 35 engages the recess in the lug 28. In other words the pin 29 has a rest position in which it effectively bridges the 26, 27, and bears against the lug 28.

The length of the wire 32 between the ferrule 31 and the point at which it emerges from the interior of the rod is such that upon exerting a pull on the finger ring this pull is transmitted by the wire 32 to the ferrule 31 and thus the pin 29 and in so doing pulls the pin so that the end 36 of the pin 29 moves out of contact with a recess in the lug 28 and terminates near the face of the lug 27 effectively opening the space between the lugs 27 and 28.

The purpose of this arrangement is to allow the eyelet 8 at the end of the cable/lead end part 7 to be inserted between the lugs 27 and 28 and positioned so that the eyelet can be engaged over the pin end 36 whereby when this end returns under the resilient loading of the spring 30 to engage in its associated recess in the lug 28 the free end of the cable/lead 4 is trapped thereby forming a loop 40 at the remote end of the rod pole.

As has been mentioned it is intended that this cable/lead loop 40 should be engaged over the head/neck of the animal to be caught and the cable/lead 4 pulled through the rod/pole 1 to reduce the size of the loop so that the animal is firmly held in the loop.

Since the animal is held at the end of the rod/pole remote from the handle end the handler is so located with respect to the animal to be out of harms way.

Assuming that the handler wishes to put the thus caught animal into a suitable cage the door to the latter is opened and by means of the rod/pole the thus caught animal in handled into the cage without it being necessary for the handler to approach too close enough to the animal as to risk injury. Once in the cage the handler is able from the remote position release the eyelet 8 from the pin 29 by pulling upon the ring 35.

As soon as the eyelet is released movement of the handler/animal on the rod/pole will automatically cause the eyelet to pull away from the bracket 24 thereby breaking the loop and releasing the animal, when in the cage

At this point the lead/cable 4 can be withdrawn through the rod/pole since the latching mechanism allows cable/lead displacement in this direction..

Claims

1 An animal handling apparatus and characterised by including a hand holdable rod/pole (1 ) with a hand holdable end (3) and an axial bore for receiving a cable/lead (4) longer in length than that of the rod/pole (1) so as to be able to extend from each end of the rod/pole, a retaining element (24,27,28,29) located adjacent the other end of the rod/pole that is remote from the hand holdable end (3) adapted for engagement with the free end (7,8) of that part of the cable/lead that extends from this other end so as to form said part into a closed animal engageable loop (40, a latching (10,15,22) adjacent the hand holdable end of the rod/pole ( I ) that allows control over the magnitude of the loop (40), and means (32,33,35) manually operable from the hand holdable end for enabling remote release of the cable/lead free end (7,8) from the retaining element to open said loop.

2. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and characterised in that the latching mechanism (10,15,22) is such as that when in a first setting allows displacement of the cable/(4) relative to the rod/pole (1 ) in the sense as to allows increase in the size of the loop and when in a second setting allows displacement of the cable/lead in only that direction that reduces the size of the loop (40)

3. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and characterised in that the latching mechanism incorporates two relatively displaceable members

( 10,15) , of which one mounts latching elements (22) co-operable with the cable/lead (4) , the arrangement being such that relative displacement of the members (10,15) in a first direction locks the cable/lead (4) against movement relative to the rod/pole (4) in a first direction but not the opposite, and relative displacement of the members in a reverse direction to the first direction allows movement of of the cable/lead in said opposite direction.

4. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, and characterised in that the relatively displaceable members comprise inner and outer sleeves ( 10,15) , the outer sleeve ( 10) being connected to hand holdable end of said rod/pole( l ) and the inner sleeve ( 15) being axially displaceable with respect to the outer sleeve, and in that the inner sleeve mounts a group of said latching elements (22) , the arrangement being such that relative displacement of the sleeves ( 10,15) in a first direction causes the elements to wedge between the outer sleeve ( 10) and the cable/lead (4) thereby to prevent displacement of the latter relative the rod/pole and displacement of the sleeves in the opposite direction releases such wedging o action to allow rod/cable displacement.

5. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 4, and characterised in that the latching elements (22) include a plurality of positionally displaceable elements equiangularly spaced around the longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve.

6 An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and characterised in that5 the positionally displaceable elements are balls.

7. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, and characterised in that the positionally displaceable elements (22) are radially displaceable.

8. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, and characterised in that the inner (15) resiliently loaded ( 19) such as to prevent cable/lead displacement in the sense as to increase the size of the loop.

9. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and characterised in that remotely releasable means includes an element (29) engageable with the free end (7,8) of the cable/lead, the element (29) being releasable from the free end (7,8) from a location adjacent to the hand holdable end of the rod/pole.

10. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, and characterised in that the free end (7,8) of the cable/lead is provided with an eyelet (8) that is engageable with a pin (29) axially displaceable of the rod in such manner as to be moveable between a displaced position in which the eyelet (8) can be engaged with the free end thereof and a rest position in which the eyelet cannot be disengaged from the end thereof.

1 1. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the (29) is resiliently loaded (30) into said rest position, and in that means (32,33,35 are provided at a location adjacent to the hand holdable end of the rod/(pole ( 1 ) for enabling the pin to be displaced against the resilient loading thereof.

12. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 , and characterised in that said means for displacing the the pin (29) includes a pull wire arrangement (32,33,35) connecting with the pin and extending lengthways of the rod/pole and having a finger ring at the free end thereof.

13. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 1 1 or 12, and characterised in that the the pin is slidably mounted in lugs (26,27,28) provided at the remote end of the rod, the pin being resiliently loaded to said rest position.

14. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, and characterised in that the lugs extend from a sleeve (23) mounted to said remote end of the rod