U.S. patent number RE33,959 [Application Number 07/520,674] was granted by the patent office on 1992-06-16 for livestock working system.
Invention is credited to Jon D. Mollhagen.
United States Patent |
RE33,959 |
Mollhagen |
June 16, 1992 |
Livestock working system
Abstract
An animal working device includes a front enclosure with front
and back ends, opposite sides, a base and a superstructure. The
front enclosure includes opposite side walls each at a respective
side and a gate in one of the sides. A back enclosure includes
front and back ends, opposite sides, a base and superstructure. The
back enclosure is telescopically received in the front enclosure
and is movable between extended and retracted positions with
respect thereto. In its extended position, the back enclosure
communicates with the front enclosure. An elevation system is
provided for raising and lowering the device between a work
position on a ground surface and a transport position elevated
thereover. A wheeled, retractable undercarriage is mounted on the
back end of the front enclosure for raising, lowering and
transporting the device.
Inventors: |
Mollhagen; Jon D. (Lorraine,
KS) |
Family
ID: |
27168232 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/520,674 |
Filed: |
May 7, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
108898 |
Oct 15, 1987 |
04829936 |
May 16, 1989 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/843;
119/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
1/0613 (20130101); A01K 29/00 (20130101); A01K
3/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
1/06 (20060101); A01K 1/00 (20060101); A01K
3/00 (20060101); A01K 29/00 (20060101); A01K
029/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;119/20,82,98,99 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swiatek; Robert P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Litman, McMahon & Brown
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters patent is as
follows:
1. An animal working device, which comprises:
(a) a first enclosure including a first end, a second end with an
opening, opposite sides, a base and a superstructure;
(b) a second enclosure extending through said first enclosure
second end opening and telescopically received in said first
enclosure, said second enclosure including first and second ends,
opposite sides, a base and a superstructure;
(c) said second enclosure being movable between retracted and
extended positions with respect to the first enclosure;
(d) elevation means adapted for raising and lowering said device
between a work position on a ground surface and a transport
position raised above said ground surface;
(e) said first enclosure having a convex side wall assembly
enclosing said first end and one of said sides; and
(f) a gate of said first enclosure for selectively providing access
thereto, said gate being swingable through an arc of movement
bounded by said convex side wall assembly.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said elevation means
includes:
(a) a retractable undercarriage mounted on said first enclosure
base.
3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said elevation means
includes:
(a) a tongue assembly mounted on said first enclosure, said tongue
assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis; and
(b) a jack assembly mounted on said second enclosure and movable
between extended and retracted positions for raising and lowering
said second enclosure between a work position on a ground surface
and a transport position thereover.
4. The device according to claim 1, which includes:
(a) a track mounted on one of said enclosures; and
(b) a roller assembly mounted on the other said enclosure and
rollingly engaging said track.
5. The device according to claim 1, which includes:
(a) a cam assembly adapted to selectively prevent reverse swinging
of said gate.
6. The device according to claim 1, which includes:
(a) a tongue assembly mounted on said first enclosure first end and
including a hitch.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein;
(a) said second enclosure includes an extension base frame for
mounting a piece of animal working equipment.
8. An animal working device which comprises:
(a) a front enclosure including:
(1) a front end;
(2) a back end with an opening;
(3) a substantially straight side;
(4) a convex side;
(5) a base including a frame and a deck;
(6) a vertical gate post approximately centered along said straight
side;
(7) a straight wall assembly extending from said gate post to said
back end;
(8) a convex wall assembly extending along said convex side, said
convex wall assembly enclosing said front end and said convex
side;
(9) a main gate including a hinged side hingedly attached to said
gate post and a free side, said main gate having a pivotal axis
adjacent said gate post and said convex wall assembly being spaced
substantially equidistant from said pivotal axis and said gate
being swingable through said front enclosure with said gate free
edge spaced closely to said convex wall assembly; and
(10) a cam assembly mounted on said main gate adjacent said main
gate free side, said cam assembly including a pivot shaft pivotally
mounted on said main gate and a cam bracket extending laterally
from said pivot shaft, said cam bracket protruding outwardly from
said main gate free side and adapted to selectively engage said
convex wall assembly and restrain said main gate against said
movement in a forward direction;
(b) a back enclosure including:
(1) an open front end;
(2) an open back end;
(3) opposite sides;
(4) a base including a frame and a deck;
(5) a skeletal framework mounted on and extending upwardly from
said base;
(6) a pair of side wall assemblies each mounted on said skeletal
framework adjacent a respective side;
(7) a passage extending between said ends and between said sides;
and
(8) a pair of gates each mounted at a respective side and providing
access to said passage;
(c) a tongue assembly including:
(1) a pivot tube pivotally mounted on said front enclosure base
frame at said front enclosure front end;
(2) a tongue extending forwardly from said pivot tube;
(3) a hitch mounted on said tongue; and
(4) a double-acting fluid power cylinder connected at one end to
said tongue and at its other end to said front enclosure at the
front end thereof, said cylinder being adapted to raise and lower
said tongue-assembly;
(d) an undercarriage including:
(1) a pivot tube pivotally mounted on said front enclosure base
fame adjacent said front enclosure back end, said pivot tube having
opposite ends;
(2) a pair of wheel arms each mounted on a respective pivot tube
end and extending forwardly therefrom;
(3) a pair of wheels each mounted on a respective wheel arm and
positioned adjacent a respective front enclosure side;
(4) a pair of stop pin brackets each mounted on said front
enclosure base adjacent a respective side thereof;
(5) a pair of stop pins each selectively receivable in a respective
wheel arm and a respective stop pin bracket for retaining said
undercarriage in an extending position;
(6) an undercarriage lever mounted on and extending rearwardly from
said pivot tube;
(7) a double-acting fluid power cylinder connected at one end to
said undercarriage lever and the other end to said front enclosure
a the back end thereof;
(e) an alleyway jack assembly including:
(1) a pivot tube mounted transversely on said back enclosure base
frame adjacent said back enclosure back end;
(2) a pair of jack tubes mounted on and extending from said pivot
tube;
(3) a pair of cylinder mounting plates each mounted on are spective
jack tube and extending downwardly therefrom;
(4) a cylinder mounting rod extending between said cylinder
mounting plates in spaced relation below said pivot tube; and
(5) a double-acting fluid power cylinder connected at one end to
said cylinder mounting rod and at its other end to said back
enclosure base frame, said cylinder being adapted for extending and
retracting said jack assembly;
(f) a pair of longitudinally-extending tracks each mounted on said
front enclosure skeletal frame and extending between its front and
back ends;
(g) a pair of roller assemblies mounted on said back enclosure
skeletal framework adjacent said back enclosure front end, each
said roller assembly rollerably engaging a respective track; and
enclosure extending through said front
(h) said back enclosure extending through said front enclosure back
end opening and telescopically receivable in said front
enclosure.
9. An animal working device, which comprises:
(a) a front enclosure including:
(1) a front end;
(2) a back end with an opening;
(3) opposite sides;
(4) a base;
(5) a superstructure; and
(6) a gate swingable between an open position admitting access to
said front enclosure and a closed position;
(b) a back enclosure including:
(1) a front end with an opening;
(2) a back end;
(3) opposite sides;
(4) a base;
(5) a superstructure including opposite side wall assemblies at
said opposite sides; and
(6) a passage extending longitudinally through said back enclosure
between its front and back ends and between its opposite side wall
assemblies;
(c) a longitudinally-extending track mounted on one of said
enclosures;
(d) a roller assembly mounted on the other said enclosure engaging
said track; and
(e) said back enclosure extending through said front enclosure back
end opening and being telescopically receivable in said front
enclosure and movable between extended and retracted positions with
respect thereto, said back enclosure open front end being
accessible from said front enclosure with said back enclosure in
its extended position;
(f) an elevation systen adapted to raise and lower said device
between a work position on a ground surface and a transport
position elevated above a ground surface, said elevation system
including a retractable undercarriage mounted on said front
enclosure back end and movable between extended and retracted
positions, said undercarriage including:
(1) a pivot tube pivotably mounted on said front enclosure base at
the back end of said front enclosure, said pivot tube being
pivotable about an axis extending transversely with respect to said
front enclosure and having opposite ends;
(2) a pair of wheel arms each mounted on and extending
longitudinally from a respective pivot tube end;
(3) a pair of wheels each rotatably mounted on a respective wheel
arm;
(4) a lever projecting from said pivot tube; and
(5) a double-acting, fluid power cylinder extending between said
front enclosure superstructure and said lever, said cylinder being
adapted for extending and retracting said undercarriage;
(g) a pair of undercarriage stop pin brackets each mounted adjacent
a respective front enclosure side; and
(h) a pair of undercarriage stop pins each selectively receivable
in a respective wheel arm and a respective stop pin bracket, said
stop pins and brackets being adapted to restrain said undercarriage
in its extended position.
10. The device according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) said gate is swingable through said front enclosure between a
first position extending towards said front enclosure front end and
a second position extending towards said front enclosure back end
with said back enclosure in its extended position.
11. The device according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) said gate includes a cam assembly adapted to prevent reverse
movement of said gate.
12. The device according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) said elevation includes a tongue assembly pivotably mounted on
said front enclosure front end, said tongue assembly being adapted
for raising and lowering said front enclosure front end.
13. The device according to claim 12 wherein:
(a) said elevation system includes a jack assembly mounted on said
back enclosure back end and adapted for raising and lowering said
back enclosure back end.
14. The device according to claim 13 wherein:
(a) said elevation system includes a double-acting, fluid power
cylinder. .Iadd.15. An animal working device, which comprises:
(a) a first enclosure including a first end, a second end with an
opening, opposite sides, a base and a superstructure;
(b) a second enclosure including first and second ends, opposite
sides, a base and a superstructure;
(c) said second enclosure including a first end with an opening
communicating with the first enclosure second end opening;
(d) elevation means adapted for raising and lowering said device
between a work position on a ground surface and a transport
position raised above said ground surface;
(e) said first enclosure having a convex side wall assembly
enclosing said first end and one of said sides; and
(f) a gate on said first enclosure for selectively providing access
thereto, said gate being swingable through an arc of movement
bounded by said convex side wall assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention.
The present invention relates generally to animal husbandry, and in
particular to a portable device for use in connection with
weighing, treating and loading livestock.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
In livestock operations it is often necessary to restrain or direct
the animals for palpating, immunization, branding, treatment,
weighing, loading, etc. Corrals, loading chutes, alleyways and pens
have heretofore been constructed and employed by cow-calf
operators, steer operators and large animal veterinarians for these
purposes. The structures are often constructed permanently of fence
materials, such as stone, barbed wire, wood rails, steel pipe and
the like. However, the capital investment required for such
permanent structures is often prohibitive to decentralized ranch
operations, particularly those that run livestock on relatively
small, isolated .[.tracks.]. .Iadd.tracts .Iaddend.of grazing land.
Furthermore, many ranchers lease rather than own their grazing
land, and naturally wish to avoid making permanent, fixed
improvements.
A common solution to this problem is to physically transport the
animals to a location having the necessary permanent, fixed
equipment. However, transporting a herd of large animals tends to
be relatively time-consuming and expensive. For example, a round
trip from a grazing pasture to a treatment area requires loading,
unloading and transporting the animals twice. Naturally, the time
and expense associated with transporting livestock herds increases
with the distance and the number of animals involved.
A solution to the aforementioned problems is to provide portable
livestock working equipment. For example, the Lambert U.S. Pat. No.
4,201,157 discloses a portable animal handling unit with
retractable transport wheels and a front elevating assembly. The
unit provides catching and holding pens, loading and unloading
ramps and animal holding passages and chutes for a variety of
animal handling operations. The McIntire U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,191
and the Smith U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,836 also show portable livestock
working equipment.
A disadvantage with many prior art portable animal handling devices
is that animals resist entering them. For example, straight chutes
such as those shown in the McIntire U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,191 and the
Fleming U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,716 have essentially constant,
relatively narrow widths, even though large animals tend to balk at
entering narrow, confining structures. Often it is desirable to
provide fence sections that converge towards the entrance to a
relatively narrow loading chute or alleyway so that the animals can
be funneled into the equipment. For example, the Smith U.S. Pat.
No. 4,250,836 shows portable corral configurations with funnels for
directing animals into relatively narrow passageways.
A related problem is that large animals can be hazardous to workers
trying to direct them into such equipment. Animals that are
unaccustomed to confinement frequently balk at entering confining
structures and may even panic. In spite of the availability of
cattle prods, whips and the like, workers can be kicked, gouged and
trampled by the livestock. Many of the prior art animal working
structures provide little or no protection from such hazards.
Heretofore, there has not generally been available a livestock
working device with the advantages and features of the present
invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the practice of the present invention, an animal working device
is provided which includes a front enclosure having a front end and
a back end with an opening; straight and convex sides, a base and a
superstructure. A straight wall assembly and a gate are provided on
the straight side. The gate can be opened to admit animals to the
front enclosure, and can be swung through the front enclosure to
advance animals therethrough. A convex wall assembly is provided on
the convex side. A back enclosure includes open front and back
ends, opposite sides, a base and a superstructure. Side wall
assemblies are provided at the opposite sides. The back enclosure
is telescopically receivable in the front enclosure through the
back end opening thereof and is movable between extended and
retracted positions. An elevation system is provided for raising
and lowering the device between a work position on a ground surface
and a transport position above the ground surface. The elevation
system includes a pivotable tongue assembly, a wheeled
undercarriage movable between extended and retracted positions and
a jack assembly movable between extended and retracted
positions.
PRINCIPLE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide an
animal working device; to provide such a device which is portable;
to provide such a device which is adapted for working relatively
large animals; to provide such a device which includes telescoping
front and back enclosures; to provide such a device which may be
raised and lowered between a work position on a ground surface and
a transport position thereover; to provide such a device which is
adaptable for use with other livestock working equipment; to
provide such a device which provides an operator with a relatively
high degree of protection from the animals; to provide such a
device with a relatively large front enclosure into which a group
of animals can be guided; to provide such a device which is towable
behind a pickup truck; to provide such a device which is economical
to manufacture, efficient in operation, capable of a long operating
life and particularly well adapted for the proposed usage
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal working device embodying
the present invention, shown hitched to a pickup truck tow
vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device showing a jack
assembly extended in preparation for telescopically extending a
back enclosure from a front enclosure.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device, shown in a work
configuration on a ground surface.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device in its work
configuration.
FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device taken
generally along line 5--5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of the device, particularly
showing a front enclosure.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail and plan view of the device,
particularly showing the jack assembly.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the device taken
generally along line 8--8 in FIG. 7 and particularly showing the
jack assembly.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device,
particularly showing a roller assembly and track.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device, taken
generally a long line 10--10 in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device,
particularly showing a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering
a wheeled undercarriage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
I. Introduction
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 1
generally designates an animal working device embodying the present
invention. The device 1 generally comprises a front or first
enclosure 2 telescopically receiving a back or second enclosure 3
and a transport and telescoping system. The front enclosure 1 shown
and described herein is similar to a piece of animal working
equipment generally referred to as a "working tub". The back
enclosure 3 shown and described herein is similar to a piece of
animal working equipment generally referred to as an "alleyway".
However, the present invention is not limited to a combination of
these two pieces of animal working equipment. Likewise, the
directional references "front", "back", and the like are for
reference only and do not limit claims as either end of a device
embodying the present invention could be designated its "front" or
"back". The device 1 in its transport configuration is adapted for
towing by a vehicle such as a pickup truck shown at 8.
II. Front Enclosure
The front enclosure 2 includes front and back ends 11, 12; a
straight 13; and a convex side 14. An opening 15 is formed in the
back end 12. A base 17 includes a base frame 18 with a steel plate
deck 19 welded thereon. The front enclosure 2 also includes a super
structure 27 with a skeletal framework 28. The super structure
framework 28 includes four upright corner standards 29 and an
upright gate post 30 centered along the straight side 13.
A plurality of radius members 31 each having a horizontal leg 32
mounted on a gusset plate 34 mounted on the top of the gate post 30
and a vertical leg 33 fastened to the base 17 are provided at
approximately thirty degree intervals (FIGS. 4 and 5). The radius
member vertical legs 33 are interconnected by convex side rails 36
that extend at vertically spaced intervals from the front corner
standard 29 at the straight side 13 to the rearmost radius member
31. A convex front enclosure side panel 37 is mounted on the inside
of the convex side rails 36 and follows their curvature. The convex
rails 36 and the convex panel 37 define a convex side wall assembly
38 that encloses the front end 11 and the convex side 14.
Straight side rails 40 extend from the gate post 30 to the rearmost
corner standard 29 on the straight side 13 and mount a straight
side panel 41 on the inside. The straight rails 40 and the straight
panel 41 define a straight side wall assembly 42. Front and back
cross members 44, 45 connect the upper ends of the corner standards
29.
The front enclosure 2 includes a main gate 49 with a hinged side 50
hingedly mounted on the gate post 30 and a free side 51. The main
gate free side 51 is provided with a cam assembly 54 for protecting
the operator from the livestock in the front enclosure 2 by
preventing rotation of the main gate 49 in a forward direction. The
cam assembly 54 includes a vertical pivot shaft 55 with a handle
lever 56 projecting horizontally from its upper end. The pivot
shaft 55 is journaled in pipe sleeves 57 mounted on the main gate
49. A cam bracket 58 projects laterally from a lower portion of the
pivot shaft 55 and includes a vertical engagement bar 59 which
extends slightly beyond the main gate free side 51. An elastomeric
return strap 60 biases the cam bracket 58 towards the main gate
49.
An auxiliary front enclosure gate 63 is hingedly mounted on the
rearmost radius member 31 and opens inwardly. The auxiliary gate 63
is biased to its closed position in engagement with the rearmost
corner standard 29 on the convex side 14 by an elastomeric strap
64.
III. Back Enclosure
The back enclosure 3 includes open front and back ends 75, 76 and
opposite sides 77. A back enclosure .[.bas.]. .Iadd.base
.Iaddend.80 includes a base frame 81 with a back enclosure steel
plate deck 82 mounted thereon. A superstructure 85 includes a
skeletal framework 86 with front, intermediate, gate post and back
standards 87, 88, 89 and 90 respectively on each back enclosure
side 77. Horizontal side rails 91a-91g (from the bottom up) extend
between the standards 87-90 at vertically spaced intervals and the
tops of transversely opposed pairs of standards 87-90 are
interconnected by cross members 92.
Steel wall panels 98 are mounted on the side rails 91a-91d to form
a pair of opposed, downwardly-converging wall assemblies 99.
Spacers 96a-96c space respective side rails 91a-91c inwardly from
respective standards 87-89 to provide the downward convergence of
the wall assemblies 99.
A pair of opposed back enclosure gates 102 are each hingedly
mounted on a respective gate post standard 89 and are selectively
secured to a respective back standard 90 by a latch 103. The gates
102 provide access to a passage 95 through the back enclosure
3.
A transverse bar 104 is pivotally mounted on a respective wall
assembly 99 and extends most of the way across the passage 95. The
transverse bar 104 is adapted to swing rearwardly to permit cattle
to pass therethrough, but is braced against swinging in a forward
direction to prevent animals from trying to back out of the passage
95. From outside the back enclosure 3 an operator can regulate the
flow of animals through the passage 95 with the transverse bar.
An extension base 108 extends rearwardly from the back enclosure
back end 76 and includes a pair of longitudinal frame tubes 109
interconnected at their back ends by a cross frame tube 110. The
longitudinal frame tubes 109 are welded at their front ends to the
back enclosure base frame 81 by fishplates 111.
IV. Transporting .[.ans.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.Telescoping
System
A tongue assembly 120 is mounted on the front enclosure front end
11 and includes a transverse pivot tube 121 journaled in a pair of
sleeves 122 welded to the base frame 18. An A-frame tongue 123 is
mounted on the pivot tube 121 and terminates at a hitch 124. The
tongue 123 is raised and lowered by a double-acting fluid power
cylinder 125 extending between the tongue 123 and the front corner
standard 29 on the convex side 14. The front enclosure 2 is
supported at its back end 12 by a wheeled undercarriage 130
including a pivot tube 131 journaled in a plurality of sleeves 132
welded to the front enclosure base frame 18 at the front enclosure
back end 12. The pivot tube 131 includes opposite ends 133 each
mounting a respective forwardly-extending wheel arm 134 on which a
wheel 136 is rotatably mounted. An undercarriage stop pin 137 is
mounted on the end of each wheel arm 134 and is selectively
receivable in a respective stop pin bracket 140 mounted on the
front enclosure base 17 to retain the undercarriage 130 in an
extended position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
A pivot tube lever 138 projects rearwardly from the pivot tube 131
and mounts one end of a double-acting fluid power cylinder 139, the
other end of which is mounted on the rear corner standard 29 on the
convex side (FIG. 11). The cylinder 139 raises and lowers the
undercarriage-130 between an extended position as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 and a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
A jack assembly 150 is provided adjacent the back enclosure back
end 76 and includes a jack assembly pivot tube 151 journaled at its
opposite ends in a pair of transversely opposed, inwardly-open
sleeves 152 which are mounted on the back enclosure base frame 81.
A pair of parallel jack tubes 153 extend at right angles from the
pivot tube 151 and are welded thereto at their respective proximate
ends 154. At their distal ends 155, the jack tubes 153 are
interconnected by a transverse angle member 156.
A pair of jack lever plates 159 are mounted on the insides of the
jacket tubes 153 between their respective ends 154, 155 in opposed
relation and extend downwardly from the jack tubes 153 when the
jack assembly 150 is in its extended position (FIG. 8). A cylinder
mounting rod 160 extends transversely between the opposed jack
lever plates 159 and mounts a respective end 161 of a double-acting
fluid cylinder 162, the other end 163 of which is mounted on a
transversely extending cross member 164 of the alleyway base frame
81. The jacket lever plates 159 maintain the pivotal axis of the
cylinder end 161 below the pivotal axis of the pivot tube 151 and
the cylinder end 163. Extending and retracting the cylinder 162
thus extends and retracts the jack assembly 150.
The front enclosure 3 is partly supported by two pairs of inside
and outside wheel assemblies 167a, 167b that rollingly engage a
pair of longitudinal I-beam tracks 171. The tracks 171 are mounted
on the radius member horizontal legs 32 and the cross members 44,
45. Rearward travel of the roller assemblies 167a, 167b is limited
by a pair of stop plates 172 each mounted on the back end of a
respective track. The inside and outside roller assemblies 167a,
167b include inside and outside mounting brackets 168a, 168b
mounted on the frontmost cross member 92 of the alleyway
superstructure framework 86. Each mounting bracket 168a, 168 mounts
a respective roller 169 in rolling engagement with a respective
track 46.
The fluid power cylinders 125, 139 and 162 can be either pneumatic
or hydraulic. The animal working device 1 can mount a fluid pump
powered by, for example, the electrical system of the tow vehicle
8, or by a storage battery on the device 1. Alternatively,
hydraulic power can be supplied directly from an external source,
such as the tow vehicle 8. As yet another alternative, the
cylinders 125, 139 and 162 can be operated by a hand pump.
V. Operation
FIG. 1 shows the animal working device 1 in its transport
configuration with the tongue assembly 120 lowered, the
undercarriage 130 extended, the jack assembly 150 retracted, and
the back enclosure 3 retracted into the front enclosure 2 through
the opening 15. In this configuration, the back enclosure front end
75 is suspended by the roller assemblies 167a, 167b from the tracks
171 and the back enclosure back end 76 rests on the deck 19 of the
front enclosure 2 adjacent to its back end 12. The back enclosure 3
is preferably retained in the front enclosure 2 by a safety chain
173 looped and secured around standards 29, 87 to avoid its
inadvertent extension in transit. The front enclosure main gate 49
is retained in its closed position by swinging the cam bracket 58
rearwardly whereby the handle lever 56 engages the front corner
standard 29 on the straight side 13 from the inside. The cam
assembly 54 is retained in this portion by the return strap 60.
Thus configured, the animal working device 1 is towable.
Upon reaching its destination, the animal working device 1 is
transformed from a transport configuration to a working
configuration by extending the jack assembly 150, whereby the back
enclosure 3 is raised above the front enclosure deck 19 (FIG. 2).
The safety chain 173 is removed and the pickup truck 8 is then
driven forward. Since the jack assembly 150 anchors the back
enclosure 3, the roller assemblies 167a, 167b will roll along the
tracks 171 as the front enclosure 2 pulls away from the back
enclosure 3. Extension of the back enclosure 3 is limited by the
abutment stop plates 172 at the back ends of the tracks 171. The
stop pins 137 are then slid outwardly to clear the stop pin bracket
140 and the undercarriage 130 is retracted, which of course lowers
the front enclosure back end 12 and the back enclosure front end 75
until their respective bases 17, 80 rest on the ground surface 175.
The alleyway jack assembly 150 is retracted, lowering the back
enclosure back end 176 and the front enclosure front end 11 is
lowered with the fluid cylinder 125 so that the entire device 1
rests on the ground surface 171. The sequence for lowering the
front enclosure 2 and the back enclosure 3 is not critical, and the
present invention is not limited to the aformentioned sequence. For
example, all of the power cylinders 125, 139 and 162 could be
actuated simultaneously to lower the entire device 1 evenly.
With the device 1 in its operating configuration (FIG. 3), the cam
assembly return strap 60 is removed, the cam assembly 54 is rotated
from its travel (FIG. 1) position to its operating (FIG. 3)
position and the main gate 49 is swung open. The device 1 can be
used in combination with fence or rail sections (not shown) to
funnel livestock to the main gate 49. The main gate 49 itself can
be used to help divert animals into the front enclosure 2.
The front enclosure 2 is capable of holding a number of large
animals. From there the animals advance one at a time into the back
enclosure passage 95. Preferably an operator gradually swings the
main gate 49 into the interior of the front enclosure 2, i.e. in a
clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6. As the main gate 49 swings
through the front enclosure 2, the engagement bar 59 of the cam
assembly 54 is biased into continuous contact with the convex side
wall panel 37 by the return strap 60. Since the distance from the
cam assembly engagement bar to the cam assembly pivotal axis is
greater than the distance from the convex side wall panel 37 to the
cam assembly pivotal axis, the cam assembly engagement bar 59 is
jammed tightly into the side wall convex panel 37 if force is
applied to the main gate 49 in a counterclockwise direction as
viewed in FIG. 6. Hence, an operator can safely advance the main
gate 49 whereby animals are urged out of the front enclosure 2 into
the back enclosure 3 with the protection of the main gate 49
between he or she and the livestock.
The transverse bar 104 in the back enclosure 3 likewise prevents
animals from backing up since it is braced against swinging
movement in a counterclockwise direction past ninety degrees with
respect to the passage 95. The auxiliary gate 63 and the back
enclosure gates 102 provide access to animals in the device 1. When
the main gate 49 is swung to its position as shown in FIG. 6, the
last animal will have been forced out of the front enclosure 2 and
into the back enclosure passage 95. The operator can exit the front
enclosure 2 through the auxiliary gate 63 and follow the animals
from alongside the back enclosure 3. The cam assembly 54 can then
safely be released by disengaging the engagement bar 59 from the
convex side wall panel 37, whereby the main gate 49 can be returned
counterclockwise to either the travel position as shown in phantom
in FIG. 6 or to an open position for another group of animals.
The animal working device 1 is tranformable from its working
configuration to its transport configuration by reversing the
aforementioned procedure. A variety of other livestock working
equipment can be used in conjunction with the animal working device
1. For example, a squeeze chute with a head gate can be mounted on
the extension base 108 in communication with the open back end 76
of the back enclosure 3. Squeeze chutes are used for immobilizing
animals for various types of treatment. Other types of equipment
that can be mounted on the extension base 108 include scales for
weighing the animals and loading chutes for loading them into
trucks, railroad cars, etc.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present
invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to
be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described
and shown.
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