WO2014028971A1

WO2014028971A1 - Animal handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014028971A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000928
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Hill
Original assignee: Peter Hill
Priority date: 2012-08-21
Filing date: 2013-08-21
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: AU2013305478B2; NZ706048A; AU2013305478A1

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting sheep during shearing is disclosed. The apparatus includes lifting and rotating means, and is able to move between a first position in which it can be used to acquire a sheep and a second position suitable for holding the sheep during shearing.

Description

"ANIMAL HANDLING APPARATUS"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the shearing of sheep, and to an apparatus which assists in this process by holding sheep during shearing. It has wider application to the holding of other animals for procedures including

veterinary procedures.

Background to the Invention

Despite many attempts to automate the process, shearing of sheep must still be done one sheep at a time, by a skilled shearer, using a highly physical process. Traditionally, unshorn sheep are held in a pen. A shearer collects a single sheep from the pen, and hoists it to the shearing apparatus. The shearer will hold the sheep in a sitting position on the floor and bend over the sheep to shear its belly. When this is done, the shearer will move around the sheep, and move the sheep around, in order to remove the remainder of the fleece.

Traditional sheep shearing practices raise significant occupational health and safety issues. Constant bending, together with lifting and hauling of sheep, can cause numerous stain injuries on a shearer's body.

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus which results in a more 'ergonomic' working environment for a shearer. In addition, the invention seeks to allow mechanical apparatus to undertake some of the physical work otherwise done by the shearer.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal handling apparatus having at least one animal supporting member

positioned within a supporting cradle, the supporting cradle including a plurality of bearings such that each animal supporting member is able to rotate within the supporting cradle, the cradle being movable from a first position near the ground to a second position raised relative to the first position. It is preferred that the cradle rotate between the first and second position, whereby the cradle is oriented generally vertically in the first position and is oriented substantially horizontally in the second position. In a preferred embodiment the first position is about 30° off the vertical, with a rotation of about 60° between the first position and a second position.

It is preferred that the animal handling apparatus includes a plurality of animal supporting members.

In a preferred embodiment, each animal supporting member is a wheel arranged to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a body of the cradle. In this embodiment, wheels may be arranged in sets, with each set including a plurality of wheels located along a single axis. In a most preferred

embodiment, the animal handling apparatus includes two sets of animal supporting members, each set having four to six wheels located along a common axis.

Each set may be supported from the cradle. The support may include a resilient support to provide suspension. In a preferred embodiment of the invention this support may include a gas strut.

In an alternative embodiment the animal handling apparatus includes a single animal supporting member, preferably formed by a firm ball, which may be spherical. It is preferred that this ball be sufficiently rigid to fully support the weight of an animal such as a sheep, whilst being sufficiently flexible to mould to the sheep's contours. The ball may be held in position by retaining straps which pass around the ball and are held by rollers within the supporting cradle.

The supporting cradle may extend through an arc of between 120° and 270°, although it is anticipated that an arc of about 240° will provide the best result. The supporting cradle may include outermost animal supporting members. These outermost animal supporting members may be resiliently biased inwardly of the cradle. These outermost rollers may assist in supporting the sheep, in use.

The animal handling apparatus may include control means for an outermost animal supporting member, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic ram.

It is preferred that the movement of the supporting cradle between the first and second positions be effected by mechanical means, such as by at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram. In a preferred embodiment, this movement may be effected by two pneumatic or hydraulic rams.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting cradle is rotatable about a vertical axis when in the second position. This allows the shearer to rotate the sheep to allow access to the entire fleece.

The supporting cradle may be moveable into a third position, at a height between that of the first and second positions. The supporting cradle is preferably oriented substantially vertically in the third position.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal handling apparatus including at least one animal supporting member, the at least one animal supporting member being movable from a first position near the ground to a second position raised relative to the first position, the at least one animal supporting member also being moveable into a catching position, the catching position being substantially horizontally translated from the first position. It is preferred that this movement be effected by mechanical means such as a pneumatic or hydraulic ram. Advantageously, this allows the at least one animal supporting member to be thrust forward towards a sheep, which can then be lifted into the second position for shearing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a sheep handling apparatus according to the present invention, shown in a catching position;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the sheep handling apparatus of Figure 1 , shown in a second position;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the sheep handling apparatus of Figure 1 with a minor modification, shown in the second position during use; and Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the sheep handling apparatus of Figure 1 , shown in a further position during use. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the Figures, there is shown an animal handling apparatus 10 arranged to support a sheep 12 during shearing.

The animal handling apparatus 10 includes a trolley, which in this

embodiment is an air assisted hydraulic jack 14; a linking structure 16 mounted to the jack 14; a supporting cradle 18 connected to the linking structure 16; sheep supporting members being a plurality of supporting wheels 20; a first pneumatic ram 22; a second pneumatic ram 24 and a third pneumatic ram 26.

The cradle 18 is formed from two parallel, arcuate arms 28, held together by cross members 30. The arcuate arms 28 extend through about 160°.

Extension joints 32 are hinged to each end of the arcuate arms 28. The cradle 18 includes two outermost wheels 34, one at each end. Each outermost wheel 34 is mounted on an associated extension joint 32. The extension joints 32 are generally fork-shaped, with a gap at an inner end equal to the length of cross members 30, and a smaller gap at an inner end sufficient merely to support a single wheel 34. The extension joints 32 extend the arc of the cradle to about 240°.

The supporting wheels 20 are located in an array within the cradle 18. The supporting wheels 20 are located along axles 36, which are parallel to the cross members 30. In the embodiment shown, there are two axles 36, each having four to six supporting wheels 20 located along its length.

The axles 36 are mounted on joints 38, which are hinged to a respective end of an arcuate arm 28. The axles 36 are held in position by resiliently biased supports, such as gas struts 40, which extend between the arcuate arms 28 and the axles 36 and provide suspension to the supporting wheels 20.

Springs (not shown) act between the arcuate arms 28 and the extension joints 32, biasing the outermost wheels 34 towards the centre of the cradle 18.

The cradle 18 is connected to the jack 14 via the linking structure 16.

The jack 14 has a stub axle 46 mounted to its foot. The stub axle 46 has a plate 48 mounted at its upper end. The plate 48 is thus able to be raised or lowered by operation of the jack 14, and is able to be freely rotated about a vertical axis by virtue of the stub axle 46. The linking structure 16 is hinged at one end to the plate 48 and at the other to the centre of the cradle 18. The linking structure 16 includes a semicircular outer shell 50 whose use will be described below.

The first ram 22 is fixed to the under carriage of jack 14, with its arm extended horizontally forward beneath the cradle 18. In use, the outer end of the first ram 22 is connected to a fence or gate of a sheep run 1 1 . The operation of the first ram 22 moves the jack 14 and hence the animal handling apparatus 10 towards or away from the sheep run 1 1 .

The jack 14 is mounted on tracks (not shown) which may be attached to the floor by suitable means, such as by screws or pegs. The jack 14 includes rollers 52 arranged to move within the tracks. The tracks provide additional support during operation of the first ram 22, and also stop the apparatus 10 from tipping during use.

The second ram 24 is hinged at one end to the plate 48 and hinged at the other end to a cross member 30 at the outer end of the arcuate arms 28. When extended, as shown in Figure 1 , the second ram permits the linking structure 16 to be substantially horizontal, and the cradle 18 to rest on the ground or near the ground in a near-vertical configuration. When retracted, it causes the linking structure 16 to rotate about the plate 48 and the cradle 18 to rotate about the linking structure 16. When fully retracted, as shown in Figure 2, the linking structure 16 is substantially vertical and the cradle 18 is oriented horizontally.

The third ram 26 is hinged at one end to the plate 48 and hinged at the other end towards the centre of one of the arcuate arms 28. It assists in the movement of the apparatus between the first position of Figure 1 and the second position of Figure 2. It will be appreciated that two third rams 26 may be used, one associated with each of the arcuate arms 28.

In use, the cradle 18 is set in a first position as shown in Figure 1 , where the cradle is generally vertical (actually, oriented at about 30° off the vertical), and spaced from the sheep run 1 1 .

When a sheep 12 is in an appropriate position, the first ram 22 is operated to pull the cradle 18 towards the sheep 12. The wheels 20 connect with the side of the sheep 12, which can be gently rolled onto its belly on the wheels 20. The outermost wheels 34 can hinge out to accommodate the sides of the sheep 12, and to assist in holding the sheep 12 in position.

The second ram 24 can then be activated to raise the sheep into a second position, suitable for shearing, as shown in Figure 2.

Shearing of the sheep 12 in this position has several advantages, besides the clear advantage of posture of the shearer. The sheep 12 'sags' around the wheels 20, not only maintaining comfort for the sheep but also stretching the skin away from the ball to improve shearing efficiency. The sheep's legs are in free space well clear of the wheels 20, and there is nothing upon which it can gain purchase in an attempt to escape the apparatus. The simple framework of the cradle 18 allows wool to easily fall through for capture.

The stub axle 46 allows the sheep 12 to be 'spun' around readily, assisting in ease of access for the shearer. This is shown in Figure 4. Additionally, the action of the wheels 20 about their axles 36 allows for easy turning of the sheep to gain access to its sides and belly.

The actual raising of the cradle 18 may be more involved than simply using the second ram 24 as described above. The use of hinged joints may allow the cradle to be rocked between two neutral positions when the second ram 24 is raised: a vertical second position as shown in Figure 2, and a third position as shown in Figure 3 whereby the arcuate arms 28 bear against the outer shell 50. This third position represents a rotation of about 15° relative to the vertical. The third position, being lower than the second position, is suitable for tasks such as shearing the sheep's belly.

It will be appreciated that the jack 14 can be used to raise or lower the cradle 18 still further, as required by a shearer.

In a modification shown only in Figure 3, a lower outermost wheel 34 is connected via a hinged link 54 to an additional pneumatic ram 56. In this embodiment the outermost wheel 34 can be activated to assist the grabbing of a sheep 12, and can then be moved away from the sheep 12 once the apparatus 10 is in the second position to allow easier access to the sheep 12 by a shearer.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, there may be covers used to stop wool falling into parts of the mechanism, or to prevent a sheep obtaining a foothold. It is anticipated, for instance, that some covering may be employed between the cradle 18 and the wheels 20.

Claims

1. An animal handling apparatus having at least one animal supporting member positioned within a supporting cradle, the supporting cradle including a plurality of bearings such that each animal supporting member is able to rotate within the supporting cradle, the cradle being movable from a first position near the ground to a second position raised relative to the first position.

2. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cradle rotates between the first and second position, whereby the cradle is oriented generally vertically in the first position and is oriented substantially horizontally in the second position.

3. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2, whereby the first position is about 30° off the vertical.

4. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim,

wherein the animal handling apparatus includes a plurality of animal supporting members.

5. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each animal supporting member is a wheel arranged to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a body of the cradle.

6. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein wheels are arranged in sets, with each set including a plurality of wheels located along a single axis.

7. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the

animal handling apparatus includes two sets of animal supporting members,

8. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each set includes four to six wheels located along a common axis.

9. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 6 to 8, wherein each set may be supported from the cradle by a resilient support to provide suspension.

10. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the

support includes a gas strut.

1 1 . An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting cradle extends through an arc of between 120° and 270°.

12. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the supporting cradle extends through an arc of about 240°.

13. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting cradle includes outermost animal supporting members which are resiliently biased inwardly of the cradle.

14. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting cradle includes outermost animal supporting members and a control means for moving the outermost animal supporting member.

15. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim

wherein the movement of the supporting cradle between the first and second positions is effected by mechanical means.

16. An animal handling apparatus as claimed claim 15, wherein the

mechanical means includes at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram.

17. An animal handling apparatus as claimed claim 16, wherein the

mechanical means includes two or three pneumatic or hydraulic rams.

18. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting cradle is rotatable about a vertical axis when in the second position.

19. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting cradle may be moveable into a third position, at a height between that of the first and second positions.

20. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the

supporting cradle is oriented horizontally in the third position.

21 . An animal handling apparatus including at least one animal supporting member, the at least one animal supporting member being movable from a first position near the ground to a second position raised relative to the first position, the at least one animal supporting member also being moveable into a catching position, the catching position being substantially horizontally translated from the first position.

22. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , wherein this movement is effected by mechanical means.

23. An animal handling apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the

movement is effected by a pneumatic or hydraulic ram.