U.S. patent application number 10/075169 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-14 for mobile cattle hospital.
Invention is credited to White, Warren R..
Application Number | 20030150396 10/075169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27660049 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030150396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White, Warren R. |
August 14, 2003 |
MOBILE CATTLE HOSPITAL
Abstract
The specification discloses a mobile cattle hospital that is
adapted to be located near a pen of cattle for treatment
operations. A gooseneck trailer forms a platform upon which various
gates, fence panels, a squeeze chute, a squeeze pen and supplies
are located for the treatment, or working, operations. The trailer
is further configured to selectively raise and lower, sitting on
the ground during working operations to make easier the movement of
the cattle on and off the trailer.
Inventors: |
White, Warren R.; (Hereford,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONLEY ROSE, P.C.
P. O. BOX 3267
HOUSTON
TX
77253-3267
US
|
Family ID: |
27660049 |
Appl. No.: |
10/075169 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61D 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/512 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/00; A01K
003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In large scale animal feeding operations in which the animals
reside in pens, each pen proximate to a working alley, a method of
treating the pen of animals comprising: situating a trailer in the
working alley proximate to the pen of animals; lowering the trailer
such that at least a portion of a frame of the trailer sits at
ground level; and working the animals through a squeeze chute
mounted on the trailer.
2. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 1
wherein situating a trailer in the working alley proximate to the
pen of animals further comprises pulling the trailer with a tractor
to a location proximate to the pen of animals.
3. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 2
wherein lowering the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
lowering a hitch of the tractor.
4. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 2
wherein lowering the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
operating hydraulic controls of the tractor to raise wheels of the
trailer.
5. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 4
wherein lowering the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
lowering a hitch of the tractor.
6. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 1
wherein situating a trailer in the working alley proximate to the
pen of animals further comprises pulling the trailer with a truck
to a location proximate to the pen of animals.
7. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 6
wherein lowering the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
operating a hydraulic system on the trailer which raises wheels of
the trailer.
8. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 6
wherein lowering the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises:
supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure from a power-take-off unit
of the truck; and raising wheels of the trailer under using the
hydraulic fluid from the truck.
9. The method of treating the pen of cattle as defined in claim 1
further comprising, prior to the working step: creating a squeeze
pen proximate to a back of the trailer from portable fence panels;
and forcing animals from the pen of animals into the squeeze
pen.
10. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 9
wherein creating a squeeze pen proximate to a back of the trailer
from portable fence panels further comprises unfolding a plurality
of fence panels connected to a back of the trailer which, when
unfolded, create the squeeze pen.
11. The method of treating the pen of animals as defined in claim 1
further comprising arranging a series of gates on an exit end of
the squeeze chute to selectively allow animals to exit the trailer
from one of a first side and second side.
12. A mobile animal hospital for treating animals in a feedlot
operation, the mobile animal hospital comprising: a trailer having
a frame and at least one set of wheels; a squeeze chute mounted on
the trailer, and wherein an entrance portion of the squeeze chute
faces a back of the trailer, and an exit portion of the squeeze
chute faces a front of the trailer; and wherein the at least one
set of wheels are adapted to raise relative to the frame of the
trailer such that at least a portion of the frame of the trailer
rests at ground level when treating animals.
13. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 12 further
comprising an offset walkway leading from the back of the trailer
to the entrance portion of the squeeze chute, the offset walkway
forcing the animals to proceed in single file to the entrance
portion of the squeeze chute.
14. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 12 further
comprising: a first gate hinged proximate to a first side of the
trailer and also proximate to the front of the trailer; a second
gate hinged proximate to a second side of the trailer and also
proximate to the front of the trailer; a third gate hinged
substantially at a center of the trailer and also proximate to the
front of the trailer; and wherein the first, second and third gate
may be selectively arranged to allow egress of the animals off one
of the first and second sides of the trailer.
15. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 12 further
comprising a set of fence panels connected to the back of the
trailer, wherein the set of fence panels is adapted to fold up
proximate to the back of the trailer for relocation, and wherein
the set of fence panels is adapted to form a squeeze pen when
unfolded.
16. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 15 wherein the
set of fence panels connected to the back of the trailer further
comprise: a first fence panel connected to and extending
substantially perpendicular from the back of the trailer when in
the unfolded configuration, the first fence panel connected on a
first side of an entrance to an offset walkway leading to the
squeeze chute; a second fence panel connected to and extending
substantially perpendicular from the back of the trailer when in
the unfolded configuration, the second fence panel connected on a
second side of the entrance to the offset walkway; a circular fence
panel connected to the second fence panel, the circular fence
panel's radius of curvature pointing away from the first fence
panel; and a gate panel connected to the first fence panel, the
gate configured to swing within an area bounded in part by the
circular fence panel.
17. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 12 further
comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder connected to a wheel on the
first side of the trailer, and also connected to the frame, the
first hydraulic cylinder configured to selectively raise and lower
the wheel on the first side of the trailer; and a second hydraulic
cylinder connected to a wheel on the second side of the trailer,
and also connected to the frame, the second hydraulic cylinder
configured to selectively raise and lower the wheel on the first
side of the trailer.
18. A method of treating cattle comprising: pulling a trailer to be
proximate to the cattle; raising wheels of the trailer such that at
least a portion of a frame of the trailer sits at ground level; and
treating the cattle, one at a time, utilizing a squeeze chute
mounted on the trailer.
19. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 18 wherein
pulling a trailer to be proximate to the cattle further comprises
pulling the trailer with a tractor to a location proximate to the
cattle.
20. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 19 wherein
raising wheels of the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
lowering a hitch of the tractor.
21. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 19 wherein
raising wheels of the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
operating hydraulic controls of the tractor to raise wheels of the
trailer.
22. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 21 further
comprising lowering a hitch of the tractor.
23. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 18 wherein
pulling a trailer to be proximate to the pen of cattle further
comprises pulling the trailer with a truck to a location proximate
to the cattle.
24. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 23 wherein
raising wheels of the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises
operating a hydraulic system on the trailer which raises the wheels
of the trailer.
25. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 23 wherein
raising wheels of the trailer such that at least a portion of a
frame of the trailer sits at ground level further comprises:
supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure from a power-take-off unit
of the truck; and raising wheels of the trailer under using the
hydraulic fluid from the truck.
26. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 18 further
comprising, prior to the treating step: unfolding a plurality of
fence panels connected to a back of the trailer to create a squeeze
pen; and placing the cattle into the squeeze pen.
27. The method of treating cattle as defined in claim 18 further
comprising arranging a series of gates on an exit end of the
squeeze chute to selectively allow cattle to exit the trailer from
one of a first side and second side of the trailer.
28. A mobile cattle hospital comprising: a trailer having a frame
and at least one set of wheels; a squeeze chute mounted on the
trailer; an offset walkway mounted on the trailer, the offset
walkway leading from a back of the trailer to an entrance portion
of the squeeze chute; a plurality of gates hinged to the trailer
that selectively allow cattle leaving the squeeze chute to exit the
trailer to one of a first and second sides of the trailer; a set of
fence panels connected to the back of the trailer that are folded
to be proximate to the trailer for relocation, and unfold to form a
squeeze pen; and wherein the at least one set of wheels are adapted
to raise relative to the frame of the trailer such that at least a
portion of the frame of the trailer rests at ground level when
treating animals.
29. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 28 wherein the
plurality of gates further comprises: a first gate hinged proximate
to the first side of the trailer and also proximate to a front of
the trailer; a second gate hinged proximate to the second side of
the trailer and also proximate to the front of the trailer; and a
third gate hinged substantially at a center of the trailer and also
proximate to the front of the trailer.
30. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 28 wherein the
set of fence panels connected to the back of the trailer further
comprise: a first fence panel connected to and extending
substantially perpendicular from the back of the trailer when in
the unfolded configuration, the first fence panel connected on a
first side of an entrance to the offset walkway leading to the
squeeze chute; a second fence panel connected to and extending
substantially perpendicular from the back of the trailer when in
the unfolded configuration, the second fence panel connected on a
second side of the entrance to the offset walkway; a circular fence
panel connected to the second fence panel, the circular fence
panel's radius of curvature pointing away from the first fence
panel; and a gate panel connected to the first fence panel, the
gate configured to swing within an area bounded partially by the
circular fence panel.
31. The mobile animal hospital as defined in claim 28 further
comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder connected to a wheel on the
first side of the trailer, and also connected to the frame, the
first hydraulic cylinder configured to selectively raise and lower
the wheel on the first side of the trailer; and a second hydraulic
cylinder connected to a wheel on the second side of the trailer,
and also connected to the frame, the second hydraulic cylinder
configured to selectively raise and lower the wheel on the first
side of the trailer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate
generally to a structure and related method for treating cattle in
feedlot operations. More particularly, the preferred embodiments
are directed to a mobile cattle hospital for treating pens of
cattle close to the pens.
[0005] 2. Background of the Invention
[0006] Feedlot operations, typically situated in corn producing
areas of the country such as the Texas Panhandle, eastern Colorado,
Nebraska and the like, are in the business of raising cattle in
such a manner as to maximize weight gain and minimizing
corresponding time for the weight gain. Part of this cattle feeding
technique is keeping the cattle healthy by periodic medical
treatments.
[0007] The majority of treatments to which the cattle are subjected
take place in the first few days and weeks after the cattle enter
the feedlot. In particular, it is customary that the entire pen of
cattle, which may comprise more than a hundred head, depending on
the size of the pen, need to be treated as a group. In the related
art, after being unloaded from the truck, cattle are typically
placed in a receiving pen relatively close to a processing barn or
facility. Soon thereafter, the cattle are first-round processed,
and this process may include receiving various disease fighting
shots such as IVR, and also may include hormone implants. After the
entire pen has been treated, the cattle are returned to the
receiving area, again relatively close to the processing barn. The
cattle are again processed after seven days in the feedlot, and
this processing may include additional or booster shots of various
medication.
[0008] Working or processing cattle in this manner is a group
effort on the part of employees of the feedlot. In particular, a
plurality of men are required to run the squeeze chute in the
processing barn, the squeeze chute being a device which captures a
single animal and then allows the men safe access for application
of the implants and medicines. Additionally, another set of
employees, typically on horses, is required to move the cattle from
the receiving pen to the processing barn and back. After the second
treatment, cattle are typically placed in a semi-permanent pen.
While working the cattle as they enter the feedlot is the primary
time that these operations take place, the cattle as a pen may, at
any time during their stay in the feedlot, need additional
treatment, in addition to individual treatments.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of a portion of a cattle
feeding operation. In particular, the cattle are placed in pens
10A-L. Separating a series of pens, for example a first series
10D-F and a second series 10G-H, is a feed alley 12 through which
feed trucks drive and place cattle feed in feed troughs 14. Between
the pens on the other side is a working alley 16 (only one working
alley shown in FIG. 1, but it is understood that between pens 10G-I
and the corresponding set of pens to the right, there is another
working alley, and so on). The working alley is generally used to
relocate the cattle as well as providing access for cowboys on
horses to enter and "ride" the pens looking for sick animals.
[0010] Thus, each time a pen of cattle needs to be treated, they
are moved from either their receiving area pen or their
semi-permanent pen into the working alley 16, and then they are
driven to the processing barn (not shown). After processing is
complete, the pen of cattle is then driven back through the working
alley 16 into their respective semi-permanent pen. As can be
appreciated from the discussion, moving the cattle from one
location to another, whether it is the receiving pen or the
semi-permanent pen, is labor-intensive. Additionally, each time the
cattle are moved, they are stressed to some degree, which may
affect weight gain.
[0011] Thus, what is needed in the art is a more efficient way to
treat cattle in feedlot operations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The problems noted above are solved in large part by a
mobile cattle hospital that can be selectively located in a working
alley proximate to a pen of cattle that need to be treated or
worked. The mobile cattle hospital of the preferred embodiment
comprises a trailer having a squeeze chute mounted thereon, which
grasps and immobilizes the cattle for treatment, as well as a
series of gates to selectively allow the treated cattle to exit.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiments, a series of panels are
mechanically connected near or on the back of the trailer, which
allows for creation, proximate to the cattle pen, of a squeeze pen
to allow handling and proper flow of the cattle to the squeeze
chute. Cattle do not willingly proceed up steep ramps, inclines and
the like, and thus in the preferred embodiments of the mobile
cattle hospital the trailer is hydraulically operated such that for
relocation it is raised and appears as a typical trailer, but when
placed proximate to a pen of cattle for working the trailer sits on
the ground, thus minimizing the vertical distance the cattle must
traverse before entering the squeeze chute.
[0013] The disclosed devices and methods comprise a combination of
features and advantages which enable it to overcome the
deficiencies of the prior art devices. The various characteristics
described above, as well as other features, will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following
detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of a cattle feeding
operating;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the mobile cattle
hospital of the preferred embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3A shows an arrangement of gates to allow cattle to
exit the trailer;
[0018] FIG. 3B shows a second arrangement of gates to allow the
cattle to exit the trailer;
[0019] FIG. 4A shows the trailer of the preferred embodiments in
its raised configuration;
[0020] FIG. 4B shows the trailer 22 of the preferred embodiments in
its lowered configuration;
[0021] FIG. 5A shows the preferred arrangement for raising and
lowering the wheels of the trailer, in the lowered
configuration;
[0022] FIG. 5B shows the preferred arrangement for raising and
lowering the trailer, in the raised configuration;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows an overhead view of the various panels
mechanically connected to the back of the trailer to form a squeeze
pen; and
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the various panels of the squeeze pen in their
folded configuration.
NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE
[0025] Certain terms are used throughout the following description
and claims to refer to particular system components. This document
does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in
name but not function.
[0026] In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms
"including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and
thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to .
. . ". Also, the term "connect" or "connects" is intended to mean
either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, if a
first device connects to a second device, that connection may be
through a direct mechanical connection, or through an indirect
mechanical connection via other devices. Further, the term
connected could mean a rigid connection, but may also comprise
hinged connections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention were
developed in the context of treating cattle in a feedlot, and will
be described in that context; however, this description should in
no way be considered limiting as to other applications of such a
mobile treatment facility, such as in the raising of hogs, sheep,
dairy cattle and the like.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the preferred arrangement
for the mobile cattle hospital 20. In particular, the base
structure of the mobile cattle hospital is a gooseneck trailer 22.
While it may be possible to build a mobile cattle hospital on a
commercially available gooseneck trailer, in the preferred
embodiments the trailer 22 has a width (W in the figure) of 12
feet, significantly wider than commercial gooseneck trailers for
highway use, but slightly less than the standard 16 feet width of
the alley 16 (FIG. 1) of most commercial feedlots.
[0029] Working cattle using the mobile cattle hospital of the
preferred embodiment preferably involves forcing cattle, in single
file, into the snake or offset walkway 24. The offset walkway 24
leads from the back of the trailer 22 to the squeeze chute 26. The
offset walkway 24 is curved in an "S" shape in order to ease the
cattle's progression. Likewise, the offset walkway 24 has a
substantially "V" shape with the smaller portion being near the
floor of the trailer 22 and the larger portion being near the
top.
[0030] In the perspective view of FIG. 2, the squeeze chute 26 is
shown only in rough outline. As one of ordinary skill in the art is
aware, a squeeze chute is a device whereby a single animal is
confined, within a "V" shaped structure. Once the single animal is
confined, the V closes slightly to immobilize the animal, hence the
term "squeeze chute", so that treatment may be performed. Some
squeeze chutes also have the capability of rotating about a
horizontal axis, especially to allow treatment of hooves and the
like. Any suitable squeeze chute may be used, but the preferred
embodiment comprises a squeeze chute manufactured by C&S of
Sublette, Kans. Once the treatment is complete, the animal is
allowed to leave the squeeze chute 26, continuing in a forward
direction. In the preferred embodiments, the animal may exit the
mobile cattle hospital either to the left or the right, as viewed
from the back of the trailer 22 facing forward, by selective
positioning of the gates 28, 30 and 32.
[0031] FIG. 3A shows one arrangement for the gates 28, 30 and 32
whereby an animal leaving the chute 26 exits to the left of the
trailer 22. Allowing cattle to depart the squeeze chute with the
gates as shown in FIG. 3A makes a small holding pen 34 between the
center gate 30 and the right-hand gate 32. FIG. 3B shows yet
another configuration of the gates 28, 30 and 32 in which the
animal leaving the squeeze chute 26 is allowed to exit to the right
of the trailer 22, and in this case a small holding pen 36 is
created by the position of the gates 28 and 30. These holding pens
34, 36 allow, for example, holding cattle that need to be
segregated because of illness and the like.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiments allow
access to the squeeze chute along both sides. In particular, on the
left side 38, access may be had to the squeeze chute 26 by walkway
40. Access to walkway 40 in the preferred embodiments is by way of
gate 42. While gate 42 is shown in front of the wheels 44, the gate
42 may be equivalently placed at any location, or not included at
all, and these variations would be within the contemplation of this
invention. Likewise, on the right side of the trailer 46, a walkway
48 exists alongside the squeeze chute 26. Access to walkway 48
preferably takes place through gate 50. Again, however, one of
ordinary skill in the art could devise many equivalent locations
for the gate to access the walkway 48, and all of these would be
within the contemplation of this invention. Generally speaking, the
walkways 40 and 48 are isolated from the cattle by means of a
plurality of fence-like panels (not specifically numbered) shown on
the outer edge of the trailer 22.
[0033] Preferably the mobile cattle hospital 20 has cabinet space
52, in the preferred embodiments located at the back right-hand
side of the trailer. This cabinet space 52 preferably houses a
computer 60 and related accessories, and also acts as working space
for the persons performing treatment on the animals as they move
through the squeeze chute 26. The mobile cattle hospital 29 of the
preferred embodiment also comprises an electrical power-generator
62, preferably placed on the tongue section 54 of the trailer 22,
which provides power for lights (not shown), the computer 60 and
any other electrically operated devices, such as electric saws for
de-horning operations. The preferred embodiments also comprise a
sink 64 in the cabinet area 52, along with corresponding water
tanks for storage of water for use with the sink. Moreover, many of
the medicines given to cattle musts be refrigerated, and thus the
mobile cattle hospital of the preferred embodiment also comprises a
refrigerator 66, preferably located beneath the cabinet 52.
[0034] As one of ordinary skill in the art is aware, cattle, and
possibly other animals, tend to resist movement if that movement
involves climbing or descending steep slopes. The mobile cattle
hospital 20 is preferably situated proximate to the pen of interest
by rolling on wheels 44, which implies that the frame of the
trailer 22 may be several inches or even feet off the ground to
accommodate relocation. Once in place, the frame of the trailer 22
is adapted to rest substantially on the ground, thus requiring the
cattle only to climb a vertical distance of only a few inches to be
on the working deck on the same plane as walkways 40 and 48.
[0035] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an elevational side view of the mobile
cattle hospital 20 of the preferred embodiments with the various
components mounted on the trailer not shown for clarity of the
figure. In particular, FIG. 4A shows the trailer 22 mechanically
connected to a tractor 56 and having a height H above the ground.
Preferably, the mobile cattle hospital 20 is moved from place to
place while in the raised configuration. Likewise, FIG. 4B shows
the trailer 22 sitting substantially on the surface of the ground
58. Referring somewhat simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 4B, in the
preferred embodiments, the cattle need merely traverse the
relatively small vertical distance (approximately twelve inches)
from the ground 58 to the horizontal plane that comprises the
walkways 40 and 40A, as well as the bottom of the offset walkway
24. Preferably, a ramp hinges to the back of the trailer 22 and
extends outward, minimizing slope of the path traveled by the
cattle. The ramp, as well as a series of panels for creation of a
squeeze pen, are discussed more fully below.
[0036] Referring still generally to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the
preferred embodiments the mobile cattle hospital 20 is moved from
place to place by means of the tractor 56. Because in the preferred
embodiments the trailer 22 sits substantially on the ground along
its length, not only do the wheels 44 of the preferred embodiment
selectively move up and down to raise and lower the trailer, but
also the tractor 56 correspondingly raises and lowers the tongue
54. Raising and lowering the trailer of the preferred embodiments
takes place by hydraulically operating the wheels 44 of the trailer
22.
[0037] FIG. 5A shows the preferred lifting structure for one set of
wheels 44. In particular, FIG. 5A shows the wheels 44 in their
raised or retracted position. Preferably, a hydraulic cylinder 80
acts to raise and lower the wheels on one side of the trailer.
Thus, in the preferred embodiments, there will be a hydraulic
cylinder 80 associated with each set of wheels 44. The hydraulic
cylinder 80 mechanically connects to movable member 82. Movable
member 82 comprises a substantially horizontal component, as well
as two substantially vertical components 84A, B, which mechanically
couple to the wheels 44. The wheels 44 are rotatably coupled to the
movable member 82. Each of the substantially vertical portions 84A,
B of the movable member 82 are slidingly within the stationary
structure 86, which preferably connects to the frame 88 of the
trailer 22. FIG. 5B shows the preferred implementation with the
wheels 44 in their down or extended orientation. Preferably,
cylinder 80 pulls the movable member 82 downward (which then raises
the trailer 22 upward) such that the wheels 44 contact the ground
58 and raise the trailer. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary hydraulic
system setup to perform this raising and lowering operation in the
preferred embodiments. In particular, a pump 100 preferably takes
sections from a reservoir 90. The pump feeds a valve system 102,
which then fluidly couples the hydraulic fluid, under pressure of
the pump 100, to the appropriate side of the cylinders 80. The
preferred arrangement is having the cylinders operate in parallel
from a single source. As hydraulic fluid enters one side of the
parallel operating sets of cylinders 80, the fluid is allowed to
exit the other side, through the valve system 102, and is allowed
to flow back to the reservoir 90. Lowering the trailer 22 of the
preferred embodiment involves forcing fluid into the cylinders 80
such that the cylinders extend in length, again by forcing fluid
into one side of the hydraulic cylinder while allowing fluid from
the second side to return to the reservoir 90.
[0038] As depicted in FIGS. 4A, B, preferably the trailer 22
mechanically couples to a tractor 56 for movement about the feed
lot and placement proximate to a pen of cattle that need treatment.
In the preferred embodiments, the reservoir 90, hydraulic pump 100
and valving arrangement 102 are all an integral part of the tractor
56; however, it would be an operable system to have an independent
reservoir 90, pump 100 and valving system 102 mounted on the
trailer such that raising and lowering could be accomplished
without the aid of a tractor 56, and thus moving the trailer 22
from location to location could be done with some other vehicle,
such as a truck. The hydraulic pump 100, in this circumstance,
could be gasoline operated, operated from the alternating current
generated by the preferred electrical generator 62, or could
operate from battery power. Alternatively, the truck used to
relocate the trailer could have a power-take-off (PTO) unit capable
of providing hydraulic fluid under pressure.
[0039] As mentioned above, the mobile cattle hospital 20 of the
preferred embodiment also has a ramp leading to the offset walkway
24 and a series of panels connected to the back of the trailer 22
for on-location creation of a squeeze pen. Referring now to FIG. 6,
there is shown an overhead view of the relationship of the ramp
that leads to the offset walkway 24, as well as the various panels
connected to the back of the trailer that form the mobile squeeze
pen. In particular, FIG. 6 shows ramp 100. Ramp 100 is preferably
hinged to the back of the trailer 22, and extends from a surface
substantially parallel to the walkways 40, 48 to ground level 58
(not shown in FIG. 6). In the preferred operation where the mobile
cattle hospital 20 sits substantially on the ground across its
entire length, the vertical distance traversed by the ramp 100 is
preferably only twelve inches or less (the vertical height of the
frame of the trailer 22). However, in circumstances where the
mobile cattle hospital 20 is operated in a working alley having a
slope, it is possible that this distance could increase, but it is
minimized by the fact that the trailer 22 sits substantially on the
ground as described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0040] Preferably, the mobile cattle hospital 20 has a series of
fence panels mechanically connected to the back of the trailer 22.
The overhead view of FIG. 6 shows those various fence panels in
their extended position. In particular, along one side a series of
two individual straight panels 102 and 104 couple to the back of
the trailer 22. Because it is envisioned that the mobile cattle
hospital 20 of the preferred embodiments may not be operated on
entirely flat surfaces, not only are these panels hinged to fold
away from the trailer 22, but are also hinged to allow up and down
movement to accommodate the particular terrain. In particular,
panel 102 hinges to the trailer 22, and panel 104 hinges to the
panel 102. A short panel 106 preferably hinges to panel 104, and
provides stability for gate panel 108. Preferably, panel 108 is
hinged to panels 104 and 106 such that it can swing through at
least an arc of ninety degrees. On the other side of the ramp 100,
a third and fourth straight panel 110, 111 preferably hinge to the
trailer 22. Two curved panels 112 and 114 preferably hinge to each
other and to panel 111. Short panel 116 is preferably hinged to
panel 114, panel 116 providing horizontal support for the squeeze
pen. Finally, panel 118 preferably hinges to panels 114 and 116 to
direct the cattle into the squeeze pen portion of the panels. As
indicated in FIG. 6, panel or gate 108 preferably swings within the
area partially bounded by panels 112 and 114, such in this set up a
squeeze pen area 120 is created within the area bounded by the
panels 104, 108, 112 and 114, with the cattle being forced up ramp
100 to the offset walkway 24 (not shown in FIG. 6). FIG. 7 shows
the various fence panels 102-118 in their folded configuration,
which is the preferred setup when the trailer is being relocated
from pen to pen. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the various straight
fence panels 102, 104 and 110 fold up to be substantially parallel
to the width of the trailer. Short panel 111 folds to be
substantially parallel to the length of the trailer with circular
panels 112 and 114 folding in on themselves to be the outermost
panels, straight panel 118 and short panel 116 folding within the
setup to be substantially parallel to the remaining fence panels
102, 104 and 110. Preferably, the curved fence panel 112 and curved
fence panel 114 coupled by way of an arm 115 coupled substantially
in the center of panel 112 and hinged to the end of the curved
panel 114. In this way, the two curved panels 112 and 114 hinge to
be substantially coaxial in the folded position. FIG. 7 shows the
relationship of panels 112, 114 and arm 115 in a partially folded
configuration to show the relationship of these various
components.
[0041] Thus, the preferred embodiments comprise all the necessary
equipment to perform cattle treating operations proximate to the
pen of cattle, rather than having to move those cattle significant
distances for cattle treating operations. Further, the trailer 22
of the preferred embodiments is adapted to sit on the ground during
treating operations, thus minimizing the vertical distance that the
animals must climb when entering or exiting the trailer 22.
Additionally, the mobile cattle hospital 20 of the preferred
embodiments comprises the series of fence panels which are used to
create a mobile squeeze pen for forcing the cattle through the
offset walkway 24.
[0042] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the
principles and various embodiments of the present invention.
Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.
For example, the mechanism for raising the lowering the wheels 44
shown in FIGS. 5A, B is the preferred embodiment; however, one of
ordinary skill in the art now understanding how the trailer 22 of
the preferred embodiment raises and lowers could device many
equivalent systems for performing this task, such as air filled
bladders, air operated shocks, mechanical (non-hydraulic) means
such as motor operated jacks, and the like. It is intended that the
following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and
modifications.
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