IE86385B1 - An anti-backing apparatus for an animal crush - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-backing apparatus for an animal crush comprises an elongate supporting bracket; a double bar section; and a handle wherein the double bar section is slidable horizontally through apertures in the elongate supporting bracket and is substantially perpendicular to the supporting bracket when in a working position across the passageway of an animal crush. The elongate supporting bracket extends substantially vertically between two horizontal side bars of an animal crush. <Figure 2>

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing animals from moving backwards in an animal crush.

There are various different types of products on the market for preventing animals in particular cattle from backing out of an animal crush. Many are complex in design and difficult to operate in practice.

Various bars and anti-backing gates have been used to try and safely secure an animal. Some of the anti-backing gates currently on the market operate on a spring loaded system whereby the animal has to pass through the anti-backing gate for the gate to spring back into position behind the animal.

There is a need for an improved apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the products currently available.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided an anti-backing apparatus comprising an elongate supporting bracket; a double bar section; and a handle; wherein the double bar section is slidable horizontally through apertures in the elongate supporting bracket and is substantially perpendicular to the supporting bracket when in a working position across the passageway of an animal crush.

In one embodiment ofthe invention the elongate supporting bracket extends substantially 5 vertically in use between two horizontal side bars on the side of an animal crush.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongate supporting section is detachably mounted in use to the horizontal side bars of the crush.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongate supporting bracket is slidable in use along the horizontal side bars of a crush.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongate supporting bracket comprises mounting means for mounting the elongate supporting bracket in use to the horizontal side bars.

Preferably the mounting means comprise two pairs of arms at either end of the elongate supporting bracket each pair of arms arranged to embrace a horizontal side bar. Most preferably the pair of arms at the upper end of the elongate supporting bracket project at a substantially 90° angle from the supporting bracket. Most preferably the pair of arms at the upper end of the elongate supporting bracket comprises an aperture for receiving a securing pivot pin. Preferably the pivot pin comprises a slight bend in the pin to allow the supporting bracket to be securely tightened to the horizontal bar.

In one embodiment of the invention the pair of arms at the lower end of the elongate supporting section project at a substantially 180° angle from the supporting bracket.

In one embodiment of the invention the double bar section comprises two vertical end bar sections. Preferably the handle is directly attached to one of the vertical end bar sections on the double bar section.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongate supporting bracket comprises two apertures for slidably moving the double bar section from a working to a non-working position.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Fig, 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention mounted between a pair of horizontal rails on the side of an animal crush; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention partially retracted from the passageway of an animal crush; and Fig. 4 is a further perspective view of the apparatus of the invention.

Detailed description Most farms have an animal crush of some type which is required regularly for the examination and testing of animals on the farm. The typical animal crush has a narrow internal passageway with horizontal bars along at least one side so that an animal may be guided in single file along the passageway and the farmer or vet has access to the animal. The horizontal bars along the side of the crush are typically supported by a number of vertical upright bars or posts. The front of the crush has a gate which when closed prevents the animal from exiting from the front of the crush. Typically each animal is secured before being examined or tested. Animals naturally want to escape from such an enclosed space and tend to try to reverse or move backwards out of the passageway. It is important to confine the animal in as tight a space as possible so that the animal does not have the room to manoeuvre too much and possibly injure itself.

The present invention provides an improved anti-backing apparatus which is simpler and 5 easier to use than the anti-backing gates currently available. The apparatus of the invention prevents an animal from moving backwards in the crush. It also allows a person to safely stand directly behind the animal in the passageway of the crush if required, without having the fear of being kicked by the animal. In some instances such as for example artificial insemination (Al) or examining a cow in calf, the vet has to be able to easily access the rear of the animal. The apparatus of the present invention securely confines the animal and prevents the animal from backing up and over the antibacking gate. It also prevents the animal from kicking and allows safe access to the rear of the animal.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a double bar section which projects horizontally across the passageway of an animal crush. The apparatus is detachably mounted onto the side bars which typically run horizontally along the side of an animal crush by means of an elongate supporting bracket.

Fig, 1 shows the apparatus 1 of the invention having an elongate supporting bracket 2, a double bar section 3 and a handle 4. The horizontal double bar section 3 comprises vertical end bar sections 5 and 6. The vertical end bar section 6 is attached to the handle 4.

The elongate supporting bracket 2 comprises two pairs of arms 7, 8 at either end of the bracket arranged to embrace a horizontal bar 9 on the side of an animal crush. The pair of arms 7 at the upper end of the supporting bracket 2 project at a substantially 90° angle from the supporting bracket 2 to embrace a horizontal bar 9 as shown in Fig. 2.

The pair of arms 8 at the lower end of the supporting bracket 2 project at a substantially 180° angle from the supporting bracket 2 to embrace a second horizontal bar 9. The arms effectively sit across the horizontal bar 9. The two pairs of arms are sized to fit around either circular or square bar which are typically used as side bars in an animal crush. The arms may be sized to fit around bars of different thickness although most bars on an animal crush are of a standard size.

To mount the apparatus 1 to the side of an animal crush the apparatus is inserted between two horizontal bars at a slight angle. The apparatus 1 is turned to an upright position with the elongate supporting bracket in a substantially vertical position. The lower arms 8 fit and sit across the lower horizontal bar while the pair of arms 7 on the upper end of the supporting bracket 2 embrace the upper horizontal bar. The apparatus may be secured in position by means of a pivot pin 10 inserted through an aperture in the upper arm 7. The pressure of an animal backing up against the double bars 3 locks the apparatus 1 against the horizontal side bars of the crush preventing the apparatus 1 from sliding along the bars. In the absence of pressure on the double bars 3 the apparatus may be slidably moved along the horizontal bars to accommodate different sized animals.

The pivot pin 10 may be twisted to tighten the hold on the horizontal bar 9. The pivot pin 10 may comprise a long arm to make it easier for a user to twist the pivot pin to tighten the hold on the horizontal bar (Fig. 4). The pivot pin comprises a slight bend or kink in the pin so that by twisting the pivot pin the supporting bracket is tightened against the horizontal bar. The bend may be as little as 2mm however the slight bend allows the hold on the horizontal bar to be tightened and prevents the apparatus from slipping on the bar. This is especially important if the cattle crush is located outside. In wet weather the horizontal bars can be wet and slippy and it is important to ensure a secure hold on the horizontal bars on the side of the crush.

In addition the pivot pin may be attached to the upper arm 7 of the apparatus 1 by means of a chain so that when the pin is not in use the pin is not easily lost.

Fig. 3 shows the double bar section 3 of the apparatus 1 being moved from a working position projecting horizontally across the passageway of a crush to a non-working position on the outside of the crush. In the non-working position the double bars simply extend out on the outside of the crush. The double bars 3 of the apparatus 1 are slidably pushed or pulled, using the handle 4, through two apertures 11 on the supporting bracket 2 thereby moving the double bars 3 from a working position across the passageway of a crush to a non-working position on the outside of the crush. The vertical end bar sections 5 and 6 on the double bar section 3 prevent the double bars 3 from either extending too far into the crush or being removed from the supporting bracket.

Using the apparatus of the present invention an animal can be quickly and easily retained 10 within a very tight space thus preventing the animal from excessive movement and as a result the apparatus of the invention is very safe. As soon as the animal walks past the apparatus the double bar section 3 may be single handed pushed across behind the animal. If necessary the apparatus may be slid along the horizontal side bars of the crush so that the double bars 3 are touching the flank of the animal when pushed into the passageway.

If the apparatus is required further down in the crush and a vertical post prevents the apparatus from being slidably moved along the horizontal bars, the apparatus may be easily and quickly released from the horizontal bars. The pivot pin 10 is removed and the apparatus turned at a slight angle to bring the apparatus out from between the two horizontal bars.

Some anti-backing gates are quite bulky and take up a lot of space within the passageway along the side of the animal crush when not in use. The apparatus of the present invention fits discreetly between two horizontal bars on an animal crush. The elongate supporting bracket 2 is slim-line and does not impinge significantly on the space within the crush. As result when in a non-working position with the double bars pulled out from the passageway of the crush the apparatus does not affect the space the animal has to move within the crush. In a non-working position the vertical end bar section 6 5 at the distal end of the double bar section 3 rests flush against the side of the elongated supporting bracket. This is an important factor when dealing with a heavily in calf cow or other large animals where there is a risk of injuring the animal against any attachments on the side of a crush.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used anywhere on an animal crush. The 5 direction an animal enters or exits the crush does not affect the apparatus of the present invention as the double bars 3 are simply pushed horizontally across the passageway.

The apparatus 1 may be secured to the horizontal side bars before the animal enters the crush and immediately the animal passes the apparatus the double bars 3 are pushed into position behind the rear of the animal. In this way the animal is very quickly confined to a restricted space and having the double bars provides safe access to the rear of the animal.

Some of the anti-backing gates currently on the market operate on a spring loaded system whereby the animal has to pass through the anti-backing gate for the gate to spring back into position behind the animal. A lot of space is required for these anti backing gates to operate as the animal has to walk forward to clear the gate before it can swing back into position across the passageway. As a result it takes time to confine the animal and the animal has too much space in which to manoeuver.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.

Claims (11)

1. An anti-backing apparatus for an animal crush comprising 5 an elongate supporting bracket; a horizontal double bar section; and a handle, wherein the double bar section is slidable horizontally through apertures in the elongate supporting bracket and is substantially perpendicular to the supporting bracket when in a working position across the passageway of an animal crush.

2. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate supporting bracket extends substantially vertically in use between two horizontal side bars on the side of an animal crush. 20

3. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elongate supporting section is detachably mounted in use to the horizontal side bars of the crush.

4. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate supporting bracket in use is slidable along the horizontal side bars.

5. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate supporting bracket comprises mounting means for mounting the supporting section in use to the horizontal side bars. 30 6. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the mounting means comprises two pairs of arms at either end of the section each pair of arms arranged to embrace in use a horizontal side bar. Ί. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pair of arms at the upper end of the elongate supporting bracket project at a substantially 90° angle from the supporting bracket. 5 8. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pair of arms at the upper end of the elongate supporting bracket comprise an aperture for receiving a pivot pin.

6. 9. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pivot pin comprises

7. 10 a slight bend. 10. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pair of arms at the lower end of the elongate supporting section project at a substantially 180° angle from the supporting bracket.

8. 11. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the double bar section comprises two vertical end bar sections.

9. 12. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the handle is directly 20 attached to one of the vertical end bar sections on the double bar section.

10. 13. An anti-backing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate supporting bracket comprises two apertures for slidably moving the double bar section from a working to a non-working position.

11. 14. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.