WO1998031215B1

WO1998031215B1 - Dairy parlor entry gate

Info

Publication number: WO1998031215B1
Application number: PCT/US1998/001192
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1998-01-20
Publication date: 1998-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 1999-07-21

Abstract

A simple, efficient, and rugged dairy parlor entry gate (10) thatis especially useful for identifying animals (30), minimizing the need for lead animals (30) to back up as the gates swing open, and provides for indexing the animals (30) into proper position. The entry gate (10) preferably includes a pair of opposed stanchions (12, 14) defining therebetween a passageway (16), at least one and preferably a pair of gate members (18, 20), and mounting structure for swingably carrying the gate members (18, 20) and mounting them in offset relationship. An antenna (144, 146) may be provided in each of the gate members (18, 20) so that the interrogation field generated thereby swings with the gate member (18, 20). The gate (10) also preferably includes a motive member (24) for swinging the gate members (18, 20) between an open position allowing the passage of animals (30) therebetween and a closed position that both inhibits the passage of animals (30) into the parlor and indexes the last animal (30) into a proper position.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 7 July 1998 (07.07.98); original claim 1 , 14 and 15 amended; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)]

1. An entry gate for permitting access by dairy animals to a milking parlor comprising: a first staπchiorrand a second stanchion positioned in spaced relationship to said first stanchion defining therebetween an animal ingress passageway for permitting movement of animals along an entry path from an upstream end to a downstream end leaving to the milking parlor; a first gate member presenting an upright first gate pivot axis; a second gate member presenting an upright second gate pivot axis; a first gate mount pivotaliy mounting said first gate member with its pivot axis proximate said first stanchion and proximate the downstream end of the passageway for swinging between a first closed position oriented transversely across said passageway to impede the movement of animals along said path and a second open position wherein said first gate member is oriented substantially parallel to said path to permit movement of animals through said passageway; and a second gate mount pivotaliy mounting said second gate member with its pivot axis relatively proximate the second stanchion and proximate downstream end of the passageway with said first pivot axis of said first gate member positioned upstream relative to the second gate axis of the second gate member and permitting swinging movement of said second gate member between a first closed position oriented transversely across said passageway and downstream from said first gate member when the latter is in its dosed position and a second open position oriented substantially parallel to aid first gate member when the latter is in its open position, said gate members, when in their respective closed positions, cooperatively presenting structure blocking the downstream end without impeding animal ingress through the upstream end into the passageway. 19

2. An entry gate as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first gate member receives therein an antenna wire.

3. An entry gate as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first gate member includes a plurality of tubular metallic members interconnected by tubular πon-magnetically conductive couplers, at least some of said couplers defining an opening for the passage of said antenna wire therethrough.

4. An entry gate as set forth in claim 3, including a controller electrically connected to said antenna wire within said first gate member for generating a magnetic field.

5. An entry gate as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second gate member receives therein an antenna wire.

6. An entry gate as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second gate member includes a plurality of tubular metallic members interconnected by tubular non-magnetically conductive couplers, at least some of said couplers defining an opening for the passage of said antenna wire therethrough.

7. An entry gate as set forth in claim 6, including a controller electrically connected to said antenna wire within said second gate for generating a magnetic field.

8. An entry gate as set forth in claim 1 , including a motive member coupled to said first and second gate members for simultaneously swinging said first and second gate members about their respective upright pivot axis. 9. An entry gate as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second gate member includes an indexing extension for urging an animal which has moved downstream from said second gate member into an indexed position aligned substantially perpendicular to the entry path.

20

14. A method of identifying and controlling dairy animals entering and exiting a dairy parlor including the steps of: providing and animal to be milked with a transponder worn proximate the animal's head; moving the animal along a path through an entrance passageway presenting at least one path-blocking gate at a downstream end thereof; swinging said at least one gate to an open position to permit movement of said animal therepast; energizing said transponder to provide an animal-identifying signal by a magnetic field generated by said antenna received in said at least one gate; electronically identifying the animal from the signal received by the antenna; moving the animal into a stall within the milking parlor; and swinging said at least one gate to a closed position to thereby move the magnetic field.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein swinging of said at least one gate moves the magnetic field remotely relative to the transponder worn by the animal.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15, including releasing said animal from said stall while said gate remains in said closed position.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16, including milking said animal in said stall before releasing said animal.

21

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

The claims have been amended to bring the PCT claims into conformity with the claims as allowed in the U.S. priority case, Serial No. 08/786,828, filed January 21, 1997, which are now allowed. Applicants have amended claims 1, 14 and 15 to address informalities. Claim 1 was also substantively amended to more clearly show that the pivot axis of the first gate and the second gate are both located at the downstream end of the passageway. In addition, the pivot axis of the first gate member is positioned upstream relative to the pivot axis of the second gate member. Further, the Applicants have included the positive limitation that when in their respective closed positions, the gates cooperatively present structure blocking the downstream end of the passageway, but do not inhibit movement of the cows into the upstream end. Applicants are thus affirmatively claiming the cooperative, offset relationship of the first and second gate members positions at the downstream end of the passageway.