IE86627B1

IE86627B1 - Crush and apparatus for assisting movement of animal

Info

Publication number: IE86627B1
Application number: IE20130323A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Vincent Kiernan
Original assignee: Vincent Kiernan
Priority date: 2013-10-22
Filing date: 2013-10-22
Publication date: 2016-02-24
Also published as: GB2519607B; IE20130323A1; GB201319738D0; GB2519607A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cattle crush comprising an apparatus for assisting the forward movement of livestock. In particular to move the animals forward towards the headgate of a crush so that an animal handler is able to administer a treatment to the animal. The present invention extends to an apparatus for assisting the forward movement of livestock for use in conjunction with conventional cattle crushes. In particular there is provided a crush and an apparatus which allows safe forward movement of an animal while avoiding the risk of injury to either or animal or handler.

Description

CRUSH AND APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING MOVEMENT OF ANIMAL Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cattle crush comprising an apparatus for assisting the forward movement of livestock. In particular to move the animal forward towards the headgate of a crush so that an animal handler is able to administer a treatment to the animal. The present invention extends to an apparatus for assisting the forward movement of livestock for use in conjunction with conventional cattle crushes. In particular there is provided a crush and an apparatus which allows safe forward movement of an animal while avoiding the risk of injury to either the animal or the handler.

Background to the Invention Cattle crushes are used on the majority of modern farms, performing a number of functions to assist in the day to day management of the cattle herd. The crush comprises an internal passageway having horizontal bars along the both sides of the passageway which are typically supported by a number of vertical upright bars or posts. The main purpose of the crush is to allow cattle to be arranged in single file, in a controlled manner, between the side walls which curtail the movement of the animal in the cattle crush. Conventional cattle crushes comprise what is called a head gate at the forward end of the cattle crush. The animal is held in position by the head gate which closes around the neck of the animal thus restricting movement of the animal to facilitate administration of various treatments. However it is often the case that cattle being lead along the cattle crush become nervous and restless due to being confined and may therefore become quite agitated and uncooperative and refuse to move forward to reach the head gate of the cattle crush. In this case, the animal handler is unable to administer the required treatment.

There are a number of different types of products available for preventing animals in, particular cattle, from backing out of a crush. These products include bars and anti-backing gates which are used to secure an animal in place once they have moved through the crush and reach the headgate of the crush. However, none of these products encourage the animal to move forward in the cattle crush.

Typical methods of moving an animal forward in a crush is by the animal handler exerting physical force to encourage or coax the animal forward. At this stage the animal is often nervous and restless and it is unsafe for the animal handler to be standing too close to the animal. Animal handlers have been known to try and use their anti-backing gate to encourage the animal forward by physically pulling or sliding the anti-backing gate along the crush. This is very unsatisfactory for the animal handler firstly because the animal handler requires extreme force and strength to exert enough pressure to move an animal forward and secondly because the animal handler can only slide the anti-backing gate along for a certain distance until it meets a vertical bar on the crush.

There is a need for crush comprising an apparatus which encourages the forward movement of animals in single file through the narrow internal passageway of the crush so that the animal moves safely through the crush to reach the headgate without becoming agitated.

Summary of the Invention Following extensive testing and research, the present inventor has developed crush comprising an apparatus to enable the animal handler to safely and easily move an animal, and in particular an uncooperative animal, forward through the crush while avoiding any risk of injury to either himself or the animal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crush comprising an apparatus for moving an animal forward through the crush, the apparatus comprising: (i) an elongate rail, (ii) at least one support bracket, (iii) at least one horizontal bar and (iv) a movement facilitating device wherein the at least one horizontal bar passes through the at least one support bracket across the passageway of a crush and the support bracket is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail and controllable by the movement facilitating device.

Suitably, in embodiments the elongate rail can be an elongate double rail.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device can be a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device is a manual device can be a puller moveable along a line situated on the elongate rail.

In suitable embodiments, the line includes, but is not limited to, rope, steel cable, wire rope or chain linkage.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device can be a ratchet system which can be a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic system.

In embodiments, the crush of the present invention comprises additional structural supports.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for moving an animal forward through a crush comprising: (ij an elongate rail, (ii) at least one support bracket, (iii) at least one horizontal bar and (iv) a movement facilitating device wherein the at least one horizontal bar passes through the at least one support bracket across the passageway of a crush and the support bracket is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail and controllable by the movement facilitating device.

Suitably, in embodiments the elongate rail can be an elongate double rail.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device is a manual device which can be a puller moveable along a line situated on the elongate rail.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving an animal forward through a crush, the method comprising the steps of attaching an elongate rail, at least one support member, at least one horizontal bar and a movement facilitating device along the side wall of a crush; placing the horizontal bar behind the animal to be moved; activating the movement facilitating device so that the support member slides horizontally along the elongate rail causing the horizontal bar to encourage the animal to move forward through a crush.

In embodiments, the method uses the crush of the first aspect of the invention and all embodiments thereof or the apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention and all embodiments thereof.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 illustrates a magnified version of the crush of the present invention with an animal in situ.

Figure 2 illustrates the crush of the present invention with an animal in-situ.

Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention when the movement facilitating device is a puller.

Figure 4 illustrates a magnified version of the apparatus of the present invention when the movement facilitating device is a puller.

Figure 5 illustrates the supporting bracket and horizontal bar of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention when the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Detailed Description of the Invention The crush of the present invention is adapted to facilitate movement of animals, including but not limited to cows, heifers, bullocks and bulls, in a forward direction through the internal passageway of the crush.

The crush can also be referred to as a chute, a squeeze chute, a standing stock, cattle race or any other well known alternative.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed for use in conjunction with conventional cattle crushes of all sizes and can be retro-fitted to existing crushes.

The crush (1) and apparatus of the present invention as described in Figures 1 to 6 comprise an elongate rail (2), at least one support bracket (3), at least one horizontal bar (4) and a movement facilitating device (5) wherein the at least one horizontal bar (4) passes through the at least one support bracket (3) across the passageway of the crush (1) and the support bracket (3) is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail (2) controllable by the movement facilitating device (5).

The elongate rail (2) of the present invention can be attached by any suitable means to the side wall or bars of the crush (1). In particular, the elongate rail (2) must be equipped to move the length of the crush (1) without being impeded by the upright vertical bars commonly found on a cattle crush. To achieve this, during manufacture of the crush (1) of the present invention or during installation of the apparatus of the present invention onto an existing crush, portions of the vertical bars of the crush (1) can be cut out to facilitate the elongate rail. Additional structural supports can be put in place to provide extra support or to replace support lost by the removal of portions of the vertical bars. In certain embodiments, the additional structural supports can be in the form of steel bars or tubes that are placed in a loop from a vertical bar on one side of the crush to a vertical bar on the other side of the crush.

In embodiments, the elongate rail (2) of the present invention is made from a rigid material, typically metal, such as iron, steel or the like. The elongate rail (2) is designed to support the support bracket (3) which is slidable horizontal along the elongate rail. The length and width of the elongate rail (2) will depend on the size of the bars of the side wall of the crush and can be made to fit any crush.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device (5) of the present invention can be a puller operated manually, by electric motor, by an engine, pneumatically or hydraulically. The puller employed by the present invention is of standard design and well known to the person skilled in the art. It is lightweight and powerful and easy to operate. When in operation the puller is mounted on the support bracket (3) which is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail (2). The puller comprises a line running through the puller allowing the puller to move along the line. The line is stationary and secured on both ends of the elongate rail. In suitable embodiments, the puller is configured to move along a line including, but not limited to, rope, steel cable, wire rope, chain linkage etc. In one example, the line includes steel cable with a diameter of from 5/16-inch (0.79 cm) to 3/4-inch (1.9cm). It is noted that, while specific diameters of the steel cable are stated above, these sizes of steel cable are not intended to be limiting, and it should be understood that the puller can be configured to pull any size of steel cable, or any other type of suitable line.

In certain embodiments the puller is powered manually wherein the animal handler manually moves the puller along the line. Alternatively, the puller can be powered by an electric motor wherein the animal handler simply presses the associated start button and the puller moves along the line. In a further alternative embodiment the puller comprises an engine mounted on the puller which can be operated by pulling the associated lever. In further alternative embodiments, the puller can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device (5) can comprise a ratchet system and the elongate rail can be a double elongate rail (2). In the context of the present invention, a ratchet system comprises a ratchet wheel and a pulley system. The ratchet wheel can be of standard design but preferably the ratchet system comprises a feed and return ratchet wheel and pulley system. The ratchet wheel can be connected at one end of the double elongate rail (2) and is operated via a pulley system comprising a line as defined above that passes through a pulley wheel and along the double elongate rail (2). The ratchet wheel comprises a handle that the animal handler physically rotates thus activating the pulley system. The line moves the double elongate rail (2) and is connected to the support bracket (3), thereby moving the support bracket (3) horizontally along the double elongate rail (2) allowing the horizontal bar (4), which is situated across the internal pathway of the crush and behind the animal to be moved, to encourage the forward movement of the animal towards the headgate of the crush (1).

In embodiments the support bracket (3) and the horizontal bar (4) of the present invention are made from a rigid material, typically metal, such as iron, steel or the like. The dimensions of the support bracket (3) and horizontal bar (4) can be adapted to suit any size of crush. The support bracket is designed to fit on the elongate rail (2) and be slidable along it. The horizontal bar (4) is designed to pass through the support bracket (3) across the internal passageway of the crush (1) and is moved up and down along the passageway of the crush (1). The horizontal bar (4) is positioned approximately above the height of the knees of the back legs of the animal to be moved along, preferably 29 inches (73.66 cm) from the floor of the crush, and therefore encourages the animal to move forward along the crush (1).

The apparatus of the present invention requires significantly less physical strength to operate and allows the animal handler to safely move animals forward in a crush.

The crush and the apparatus of the present invention allow the handler to stand away from the animal thereby avoiding the risk of an agitated, struggling animal causing injury to either himself or the animal. The inventor of the present invention has observed that using this apparatus to encourage the animal along the crush causes less distress to the animal than typical methods of moving an animal forward in a crush.

Such an apparatus for moving an animal through a crush enables a single handler such as a lone farmer or veterinarian to move an animal forward to the headgate of a crush to that he can carry out a particular procedure on the animal, such as administering medication, examination, de-horning etc., which would not be possible with an uncooperative animal where he would ultimately require help from at least one assistant. This results in a reduction in human labour requirements associated with treating a herd of cattle.

Once the animal is in place, this apparatus can also act as an anti-backing gate to prevent the animal from backing out of the cattle crush.

The invention is not limited to above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure that various modifications, changes, improvements and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is understood that although the above embodiments and accompanying drawings describe the use of the apparatus of the present invention in conjunction with what is known as a right hand cattle crush, it will however be understood that the orientation of the various components of the apparatus may be reversed in order to be suitable for use with a left hand cattle crush.

Claims

1. A crush comprising an apparatus for moving an animal forward through the crush, the apparatus comprising: (i) an elongate rail; (ii) at least one support bracket; (iii) at least one horizontal bar; and (iv) a movement facilitating device, wherein the at least one horizontal bar passes through the at least one support bracket across the passageway of the crush and the support bracket is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail and controllable by the movement facilitating device.

2. The crush as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate rail is an elongate double rail.

3. The crush as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the movement facilitating device is mounted on the at least one support bracket.

4. The crush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the movement facilitating device is a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

5. The crush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the movement facilitating device is a puller.

6. The crush as claimed in claim 2 wherein the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system.

7. An apparatus for moving an animal forward through a crush comprising: (i) an elongate rail; (ii) at least one support bracket; (iii) at least one horizontal bar; and (iv) a movement facilitating device, wherein the at least one horizontal bar passes through the at least one support bracket across the passageway of a crush and the support bracket is horizontally slidable along the elongate rail and controllable by the movement facilitating device.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the elongate rail is an elongate double rail.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claims 7 or 8 wherein the movement facilitating device is mounted on the at least one support bracket.

10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the movement facilitating device is a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

11. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the movement facilitating device is a puller.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system.

13. An existing cattle crush fitted with the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. A method of moving an animal forward through a crush, the method comprising the steps of: - attaching an elongate rail, at least one support member, at least one horizontal bar and a movement facilitating device along the side wall of a crush; - placing the horizontal bar behind the animal to be moved; - activating the movement facilitating device so that the support member slides horizontally along the elongate rail causing the horizontal bar to encourage the animal to move forward through the crush.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the elongate rail is an elongate double rail.

16. The method as claimed in claims 14 or 15 wherein the movement facilitating device is mounted on the at least one support bracket.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the movement facilitating device is a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the movement facilitating device is a puller.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system.