IE20070183U1 - A bail element for animal bail apparatus, and animal bail apparatus comprising a plurality of the bail elements - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bail apparatus (1) comprises an overhead support member (3)which is suspended by a linkage mechanism (4) from an operating member (6), so that the bail apparatus (1) is operable in a lower operative state for separting animals and an uppper release state for releasing the animals from a milding parlour (2). A plurality of bail elements (7) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element comprised a partition element (10) which estends substantially transversely of the overhead suppport member (3) at an angle of approximately 78.5 degrees.

Description

A ball element for animalbail apparatus, and animal bail apparatus comprising a plurality of the bail elements” The present invention relates to a bail element for bail apparatus for separating animals, and the invention also relates to bail apparatus comprising a plurality of the bail elements.

Bail apparatus for separating animals is well known. Typically, such bail apparatus is used in animal houses where it is desired to separate animals, for example, for feeding or the like. in particular, bail apparatus is used in milking parlours for separating animals during milking and/or feeding. in general, the bail apparatus comprises an elongated longitudinally extending overhead support member, which extends the length of the milking parlour from an upstream end to a downstream end, and a plurality of spaced apart bail elements depending downwardly at spaced apart intervals from the overhead support member. Adjacent bail elements define respective animal accommodating locations, each of which accommodates an animal. Each bail comprises a transversely extending partition, which extends transversely relative to the overhead support member and carries a gate which is operable from a closed state preventing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location, and an open state providing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location.

Additionally, in the open state, the gate prevents access in a generally downstream direction beyond the gate, so that an animal is directed into the animal iE@70i@3 accommodating location which is opened by the gate.

The gates are typically mounted on each partition element, so that as an animal enters an adjacent downstream animal accommodating location, the gate of the next adjacent upstream animal accommodating location is operated into the open state. in this way the next following animal is directed into the next adjacent upstream animal accommodating location. Thus, animals entering the bail apparatus from the upstream end thereof enter the animal accommodating location sequentially from the downstream-most animal accommodating location to the upstream-most animal accommodating location.

A typical bail apparatus is described in Irish Patent Specification No. 84172 and in corresponding British Patent Specification No. 2,386,815. In the bail apparatus disclosed in these two Patent specifications, the overhead support member is carried on a linkage mechanism, which in turn is carried on an elongated longitudinally extending operating member. The operating member is pivotal about its longitudinally extending central axis for operating the linkage mechanism for raising and lowering the overhead support member for in turn raising and lowering the bail elements between a lower operative state for separating the animals, and an upper release state for releasing the animals from the bail apparatus.

Such bail apparatus as disclosed in the Irish and British specifications is particularly convenient for use in milking parlours and other locations where it is desired to separate animals. However, transportation of the bail apparatus tends to be IEONMQE relatively expensive due to the volume required by the bail apparatus.

There is therefore a need for bail apparatus which addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing bail apparatus which is suitable for transportation, and the invention is also directed towards a bail element for use in bail apparatus which is also suitable for transportation. The invention is further directed towards a bail element and bail apparatus in which the bail elements are arranged in a herringbone configuration.

According to the invention there is provided a bail element for bail apparatus of the type for separating animals, the bail element being adapted for securing to and to depend from an elongated overhead support member and to extend transversely relative to the overhead support member at an angle less than 90° thereto, and to define with an adjacent bail element spaced apart on one side thereof an animal accommodating location, the bail element comprising a central coupling means adapted for securing to and extending downwardly from the overhead support member, and defining a pair of mounting means for selectively receiving a partition element of the bail element in one of a pair of orientations relative to the overhead support member, such that in one of the orientations the bail apparatus is adapted for receiving animals from one direction parallel to the overhead support member, and in the other orientation the bail apparatus is adapted for receiving the animals from the opposite parallel direction. lE©7@t83 In one embodiment of the invention the coupling means defines a pair of first abutment faces extending at an angle to each other for selectively abutting a corresponding abutment face of the partition element, one of the first abutment faces of the coupling means being adapted for receiving the partition element in one of the orientations, and the other of the first abutment faces being adapted for receiving the partition element in the other orientation.

Preferably, the partition element defines a substantially vertical plane in each orientation, and the first abutment faces extend transversely of the respective corresponding vertical planes defined by the partition elements in the respective orientations.

Advantageously, the coupling means comprises a plate member bent intermediate the first abutment faces for defining the first abutment faces extending at an angle to each other transversely to the respective corresponding vertical planes defined by the partition element in the respective orientations.

Preferably, the partition element comprises a first partition element extending forwardly from the coupling means, and a second partition element extending reatwardly from the coupling means. Advantageously, the coupling means defines respective second abutment faces opposite the first abutment faces, and the first partition element is selectively coupleable to one of the first abutment faces of the coupling means, and the second partition element is selectively coupleable to the corresponding one of the second abutment faces of the coupling means. lE07©1s3 Ideally, the first partition element comprises a first engagement face, and the respective first abutment faces of the coupling means are provided for selectively abutting the first engagement face of the first partition element.

Advantageously, the second partition element Comprises a second engagement face, and the second abutment faces of the coupling means are adapted for selectively abutting the second engagement face of the second partition element.

Preferably, a fastening means is provided for securing the first and second partition elements to the coupling means in the desired orientations.

In one embodiment of the invention the bail element comprises a central framework and a mounting means for mounting the central framework to the overhead support member, and advantageously, the coupling plate is mounted on the central framework. Ideally, the central framework is adapted to define a vertical plane extending substantially parallel to the overhead support member.

In another embodiment of the invention the first partition element is adapted for pivotally carrying a closure means for closing the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location defined between the ball element and an adjacent spaced apart upstream bail element.

Advantageously, the closure means is operable from a closed state closing the upstream animal accommodating location and an open state providing access to the upstream animal accommodating location in response to an animal entering a downstream animal location defined between the bail element and an adjacent spaced apart downstream bail element.

Preferably, the central framework of the bail element co-operates with the central framework of an adjacent bail element spaced apart on one side of the bail element for forming an animal crush in the animal accommodating location.

In one embodiment of the invention the first abutment faces defined by the coupling means define an angle in the range of 180° to 240°, and preferably, an angle in the range of 210° to 230°, and ideally, an angle of approximately 203°.

In another embodiment of the invention the second abutment faces of the coupling means define an angle in the range of 120° to 180°, and preferably, an angle in the range of 150° to 130°, and ideally, an angle of approximately 157°.

The invention also provides bail apparatus comprising an elongated overhead support member, and a plurality of the bail elements according to the invention secured to the overhead support member at longitudinally spaced apart intervals in a selected one of a pair of orientations relative to the overhead support, and depending downwardly therefrom for defining respective animal accommodating locations. iE0'Nfi83 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of bail apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the bail apparatus of Fig. 17 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a bail element also according to the invention of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bail element of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a detail ofthe bail element of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a further detail of the bail element of Fig. 5, and Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating the detail of Fig. 8 in a different configuration.

E07018? Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated bail apparatus according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for separating animals, and the bail apparatus 1 according to this embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for use in a milking parlour 2 for separating cows during milking. Two bail apparatuses 1 are illustrated in Fig. 1, one of which is illustrated in a lower operative state for separating animals on the left-hand side of Fig. 1, and the other is illustrated on the right-hand side in an upper release state for releasing the animals. Each bail apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for supplying in a knocked—down state ready for assembly in the milking parlour 2, and comprises an elongated overhead support member 3 which extends in use longitudinally along the milking parlour 2, and is suspended on a linkage mechanism 4 from a longitudinally extending operating member 6 for operating the bail apparatus 1 between the lower operative state whereby the bail apparatus 1 defines a plurality of animal accommodating locations for accommodating single animals, and an upper release state for releasing animals therefrom. The operation of substantially similar type bail apparatus between an operative state and a release state is described in Irish Patent Specification No. 84172 and corresponding British Patent Specification No. ,386,815.

A plurality of bail elements, also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 7, are secured to the overhead support member 3 at longitudinally spaced apart intervals and depend downwardly therefrom for defining the animal accommodating locations 5. Each bail element 7 comprises a central Eli 70113 3} framework 8 which is secured to the overhead support member 3 by a mounting means, namely, a mounting bracket 9 of stainless steel, and a partition element 10 coupled to the central framework 8 and extending therefrom in one of two selectable transversely extending orientations when viewed in plan.

The central framework 8 of each bail element 7 is constructed from a single length of tubular stainless steel which defines a lower substantially semicircular arcuate part 11 and a pair of converging side members 12 extending upwardly from the arcuate part 11 to the mounting bracket 9. A coupling means, namely, a coupling plate 15 of stainless steel extends between and is welded to the mounting bracket 9 and the arcuate part 11 of the central framework 8. The coupling plate 15 is adapted for selectively receiving the partition element 10 in a desired one of the two orientations, see Fig. 3 where the bail elements 7 are illustrated in one of the orientations. The coupling plate 15 is bent along a central longitudinally extending bend line 16 which extends from a top end 17 of the coupling plate 15 adjacent the mounting bracket 9 to a bottom end 18 adjacent the arcuate part 11 of the central framework 8, and defines respective first abutment: faces 19a and 19b on opposite sides of the bend line 16 on a first major face 21 of the coupling plate 15, and second abutment faces 20a and 20b on opposite sides of the bend line 16 on an opposite second major face 22 of the coupling plate 15 for receiving the partition element 10 in either one of the orientations.

The partition element 10 of each bail element 7 comprises a front partition element and a rear partition element 24 which extend forwardly, and reaiwardly, EE@ 70 t9 3 respectively from the coupling plate 15. The front partition element 23 comprises a main plate member 25 of stainless steel defining a first engagement face 27 for abutting a selected one of the first abutment faces 19 of the coupling plate 15 for determining the orientation at which the front partition element 23 is to extend from the coupling plate 15. Upper and lower spaced apart tubular members 29 and 30, respectively, of stainless steel extend from the main plate member 25 of the front partition element 23 for defining a forward portion of the animal accommodating location 5 with an adjacent spaced apart bail element 7.

A pivot mounting bar 32 of stainless steel extends between the upper and lower tubular members 29 and 30 adjacent distal ends thereof for pivotally carrying a tubular member 33 to which a corresponding closure means, namely, a gate 34 is secured for closing the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location defined by the bail element 7 and the adjacent upstream bail element 7. Screws 35 extending from the tubular member 33 engage a plate bracket 36 on the gate 34 for securing the gate 34 to the tubular member 33, so that the tubular member 33 is pivotal with the tubular member 33 about the pivot mounting bar 32.

An intermediate strut 37 of stainless steel extends between the upper and lower tubular members 29 and 30. and an upper strut 39 of stainless steel extends between the upper tubular member 29 and the main plate member 25 for reinforcing the first partition element 23. A tension spring 40 extending between the tubular member 33 and the intermediate strut 37 biases the tubular member 33 for biasing the gate 34 attached to the tubular member 33 into a closed state for closing the and the main and secondary carrier brackets 43 and 44 are all of stainless steel.

The rear partition element 24 of each bail element 7 comprises a secondary plate 48 of stainless steel which defines a second engagement face 49 for abutting a selected one of the second abutment faces 20 of the coupling plate 15 corresponding to the selected one of the first abutment faces 19 to which the front partition element 23 is secured. A tubular member 50 of stainless steel welded to top and bottom ends 51 and 52, respectively, of the secondary plate member 48 is bent to form a semicircular portion 53 and a pair of spaced apart upper and lower members 55 and 56, respectively. A reinforcing strut 57 of stainless steel extends between the semicircular portion 53 of the tubular member 50 and the secondary plate member 48.

The rear partition element 24 of each bail element 7 defines with adjacent rear partition elements 24 of adjacent spaced apart bail elements 7 rear portions of the animal accommodating locations 5 where animal feed is normally provided in respective troughs for feeding animals in the animal accommodating locations 5.

The rear partition elements 24 confine the animals to feed from their respective troughs.

A fastening means, in this embodiment of the invention provided by two screws 60 and corresponding nuts 61 are provided for engaging corresponding holes 63 and 64 in the main and secondary plate members 25 and 48, respectively, and selected ones of corresponding holes 65 in the coupling plate 15 for securing the front and rear partition elements 23 and 24 to the coupling plate 15. Additionally, the fastening means comprises a screw 66 and a nut 67 for engaging a hole 68 in the main plate member 25 and one of a pair of corresponding holes 69 in the coupling plate 15 also for securing the front partition element 23 to the coupling plate 15.

In this embodiment of the invention the first abutment faces 19 of the coupling plate define an angle or of approximately 203°, while the second abutment faces 20 of the coupling plate 15 define an angle (p of approximately 157°. Accordingly, when the central frameworks 8 are secured to the overhead support member 3 by the mounting brackets 9 with the central frameworks 8 defining a vertical plane extending parallel to the overhead support member 3, the partition elements 10 may be secured to the coupling plate 15 in either one of the two orientations extending at an angle 6 of approximately 785° to the overhead support member 3. The orientation at which the partition elements 10 are secured to the central frameworks 8 depends on the direction from which the bail apparatus is to be entered by the animals. the secondary carrier brackets 44.

With each bail element 7 so assembled, the bail elements 7 are then secured at appropriate spaced apart intervals along the overhead support member 3 by securing the mounting brackets 9 to the overhead support member 3. When the overhead support member 3 has been secured to the linkage mechanism 4 and the operating member 6, the gates 34 are then secured to the tubular members 33 by the screws 35, and nuts (not shown).

When the bail elements 7 have been secured to the overhead support member 3, the central framework 8 of each bail apparatus 1 defines with the central frameworks 8 of the adjacent bail elements 7 on respective opposite sides thereof a crush for preventing the animals in the animal accommodating locations 5 passing beyond the central frameworks 8, in order to avoid the animals walking on feed provided in the IE(l2%’iMl?3 areas of the animal accommodating locations 5 defined by the rear partition elements 24 of adjacent bail elements 7 to the rear of the central framework 8.

Once fully assembled, the bail apparatus 1 is ready for use. in Fig. 3 the bail elements 7 are illustrated secured to the overhead support member 3 in one of the two orientations, and in this configuration, the animals approach the animal accommodating locations 5 in the direction of the arrows A along a passageway 70 extending parallel to the overhead support member 3 from an upstream end 73 to a downstream end 74. The first animal enters the downstream- most animal accommodating location 5 at the downstream end 74, and when entering the downstream-most animal accommodating location 5, operates the gate 34 of the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location 5 from a closed state to an open state, see Fig. 3. The animals then sequentially enterthe animal accommodating locations 5 from the downstream-most animal accommodating location 5 to the upstream-most animal accommodating location 5. This is described in detail in Irish Patent Specification No. 84172 and British Patent Specification No. 2,386,815. On completion of milking, the overhead support member 3 with the bail elements 7 is raised from the lower operative state to the upper release state for releasing the animals from the bail apparatus 1. in Fig. 8 a portion of one of the partition elements 10 is illustrated coupled to the coupling plate 15 in one of the orientations, while in Fig. 9 a portion of the partition element 10 is illustrated coupled to the coupling plate 15 in the other of the two orientations. Thus, by appropriately coupling the first and second partition elements 23 and 24 to appropriate ones of the first and second abutment faces 19a or 19b and 20a or 20b of the coupling plate 15 of the central framework 8, the bail apparatus can be adapted for providing the bail elements 7 in either one of the two orientations.

While the bail apparatus has been described as being of stainless steel material, it may be of any other suitable material. While the front and rear partition elements have been described as being of particular construction, the front and rear partition elements may be of any other suitable or desired construction.

Needless to say, the central framework 8 may also be of any other desired construction.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A ball element for bail apparatus of the type for separating animals, the bail element being adapted for securing to and to depend from an elongated overhead support member and to extend transversely relative to the overhead support member at an angle less than 90° thereto, and to define with an adjacent bail element spaced apart on one side thereof an animal accommodating location, the bail element comprising a central coupling means adapted for securing to and extending downwardly from the overhead support member, and defining a pair of mounting means for selectively receiving a partition element of the bail element in one of a pair of orientations relative to the overhead support member, such that in one of the orientations the bail apparatus is adapted for receiving animals from one direction parallel to the overhead support member, and in the other orientation the bail apparatus is adapted for receiving the animals from the opposite parallel direction.

2. A bail element as claimed in Claim 1 in which the coupling means defines a pair of first abutment faces extending at an angle to each other for selectively abutting a corresponding abutment face of the partition element, one of the first abutment faces of the coupling means being adapted for receiving the partition element in one of the orientations, and the other of the first abutment faces being adapted for receiving the partition element in the other orientation, the partition element defining a substantially vertical plane in each orientation, and the first abutment faces extend transversely of the respective corresponding vertical planes 9§07©t83 defined by the partition elements in the respective orientations.

3. A bail element as claimed in Claim 2 in which the coupling means comprises a plate member bent intermediate the first abutment faces for defining the first abutment faces extending at an angle to each other transversely to the respective corresponding vertical planes defined by the partition element in the respective orientations.

4. A bail element substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

5. Bail apparatus comprising an elongated overhead support member, and a plurality of the bail elements as claimed in any preceding claim secured to the overhead support member at longitudinally spaced apart intervals in a selected one of the pair of orientations relative to the overhead support member, and depending downwardly therefrom for defining respective animal accommodating locations.