IES20020218A2

IES20020218A2 - Animal bail apparatus

Info

Publication number: IES20020218A2
Application number: IE20020218A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Edmond Patrick Harty Senior
Original assignee: Aratech Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2003-10-01
Also published as: GB2386815A; GB2386815B; IE20030223A1; GB0306974D0

Abstract

Bail apparatus (1) for separating animals in a milking parlour (70) comprises an elongated support spine (2) extending in a generally upstream-downstream direction, and raisable from a position with the bail apparatus (1) in a lower operable position to a raised inoperable position for releasing the animals therefrom. Bails (7) are formed by partitions (10) which extend transversely from the support spine (2) for defining animal accommodating locations (8) therebetween. Gates (33) are pivotally connected to the forward partition elements (11) and are pivotal from a closed state preventing access to the animal accommodating location (8) and an open position permitting access to the animal accommodating location (8) immediately upstream of the partition (11) to which the gate (33) is pivotally connected. Additionally, in the open position each gate impedes the passage of animals beyond the open gate in a downstream direction, thereby directing the animals sequentially into the animal accommodating locations (8) from the downstream end (5) to the upstream end (4). The bails (7) are longitudinally adjustably mounted on the support spine (2) for varying the width of the animal accommodating locations (8) between the forward partition elements (11), and the gates (33) are correspondingly adjustably mounted on the forward partition elements (11) for similarly altering the length of each gate (33) extending between adjacent forward partition elements (11) for accommodating adjustment of the bails (7) along the support spine (2). <Figures 1 & 3>

Description

“Animal bail apparatus” The present invention relates to bail apparatus for separating animals, and in particular, though not limited to such bail apparatus for separating farm animals, for example, cows, cattle, sheep or goats during feeding or milking.

According to the invention there is provided bail apparatus for separating animals, the apparatus comprising an elongated support spine extending from an upstream end to a downstream end, a plurality of spaced apart partitions carried on and extending transversely of the support spine, the partitions defining therebetween a plurality of animal accommodating locations, each partition carrying a gate pivotal between a closed state for preventing access to the adjacent animal accommodating location on the upstream side of the partition, and an open state providing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location, each gate in the open state extending from the corresponding partition to impede passage of an animal moving from the upstream end towards the downstream end beyond the corresponding partition for directing the animal into the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location, an animal engaging means extending from each gate engageabie with an animal entering the downstream animal accommodating location adjacent the corresponding partition for urging the gate from the closed to the open state as the animal enters the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location so that the animals are forced to occupy the animal accommodating locations sequentially from the downstream end to the upstream end, wherein the partitions are adjustably mounted on the spine for facilitating adjustment of the spacing between the adjacent OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION !Εη 2 02 1 β partitions, and at least some of the gates are adjustably mounted on the corresponding partitions for varying the length of the gate extending across the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location for accommodating adjustment of the spacing of the partitions along the spine.

Preferably, each of the gates is adjustably mounted on the corresponding partition. in one embodiment of the invention the spine is raisable from an operable position for forming the animal accommodating locations with the ground, to a raised io inoperable position substantially clear of the animals for releasing the animals from the animal accommodating locations.

In one embodiment of the invention a means co-operable with the spine is provided for raising and lowering the spine between the operable and inoperable positions.

In one embodiment of the invention the means for raising and lowering the spine comprises an elongated operating member carried in a bearing, and being pivotal about a longitudinally extending axis, a linkage connecting the operating member to the spine so that as the operating member is pivoted about its longitudinal axis in one direction the spine is raised, and on being pivoted in the reverse direction the spine is lowered.

In one embodiment of the invention a drive means is provided for pivoting the operating member in the respective pivotal directions.

IE Ο 2 02 1 8 In a further embodiment of the invention a plurality of spaced apart linkages are provided on the operating member, and preferably, the linkages are adjustably mounted on the operating member for accommodating different spacings of the linkages along the operating member.

In a further embodiment of the invention each partition comprises a central framework extending downwardly from the support spine, and preferably, the central framework extends in a plane containing the spine, and preferably, each central io framework comprises an arcuate member terminating in adjacent ends formed by a single member bent intermediate its ends, and preferably, the bend is formed by a single bend.

Preferably, the central framework of adjacent partitions extend towards each other to form a crush for engaging an animal’s neck, so that the central frameworks of adjacent partitions act to prevent passage of the trunk of the animal beyond the crush, but permit the head and neck of the animal therebeyond for feeding from a trough.

In another embodiment of the invention first and second partition elements extend on respective opposite sides of each central framework for forming the partition, the first partition element comprising a top member and a bottom member joined by a connecting member, the connecting member being arcuate and formed by a single bend, and preferably, the second partition element comprises a pair of mounting ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 means for pivotally mounting the corresponding gate thereto. Advantageously, each second partition element comprises an elongated top bar and a spaced apart elongated bottom bar extending transversely of the corresponding central framework and terminating in the pivot mounting means.

In a further embodiment of the invention each gate comprises an elongated top member and an elongated bottom member spaced apart from the top member joined by respective end members, and preferably, the end members are of arcuate shape each formed by a single bend. Advantageously, each gate is formed from one io elongated member bent to form the respective arcuate ends.

In another embodiment of the invention a mounting panel is located in each gate intermediate its ends, the mounting panel having a plurality of selectable mounting locations for selectively connecting the gate to the corresponding pivot mounting means carried on the corresponding second partition element.

Advantageously, each gate is spring urged into the closed state, and ideally, the corresponding animal engaging means of each gate is engageable with an animal while the animal is in the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location for holding the gate in the open state.

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: ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 g Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of bail apparatus according to the invention illustrated in a milking parlour, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1 viewed on the line ll-ll of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of a portion ofthe bail apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the bail apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the detail of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated bail apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numerals 1a and 1b for separating animals, and in particular, for separating cows in a milking parlour indicated generally by the reference numeral 70 in Figs. 1 and 2. The milking parlour 70 comprises a central service area 71, which extends longitudinally and centrally through the milking parlour 70. Side areas 72a and 72b extend the length of the milking parlour 70, on respective opposite sides of the service area 71. Cattle stand ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 in the side areas 72 during milking, and the bail apparatus 1a and 1b are provided in the respective side areas 72a and 72b for separating the cows therein during milking. The construction and arrangement of such milking parlours will be well known to those skilled in the art. The bail apparatus 1a which is provided in the side area 72a to the left-hand side of Fig. 1 is illustrated in a lower operable position, while the bail apparatus 1b in the side area 72b to the right-hand side of Fig. 1 is illustrated in a raised inoperable position as will be described below.

Each bail apparatus 1 comprises a support spine 2 of box section steel which extends longitudinally in the respective side areas 72 between an upstream end 4 and a downstream end 5 of the side areas 72. A plurality of bails 7 are carried on each support spine 2 and extend downwardly therefrom for defining a plurality of animal accommodating locations 8 in which animals are separately accommodated. In Fig. 3 three bails 7 are illustrated defining two animal accommodating locations 8, while in Fig. 2 four bails 7 are illustrated defining three animal accommodating locations 8. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the support spines 2 in the respective side areas will be considerably longer than those illustrated, and many more bails 7 will be suspended from the respective support spines 2 forming many more animal accommodating locations 8. Each support spine 2 is suspended from a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending roof mounted trusses 6 by linkages 9 carried on corresponding elongated operating members 13 of box section steel, and are raisable and lowerable by the corresponding operating members 13 and the linkages 9 between the lower operable position illustrated in the side area 72a in Fig. 1, and the raised inoperable IE Ο 2 02 1 8 position illustrated in the side area 72b in Fig. 1 for facilitating release of the animals from the apparatus 1.

The bails 7 are formed by respective transversely extending partitions 10 which are each formed by two partition elements, namely, a first rearwardly extending partition element 12 and a second forwardly extending partition element 11 both of tubular steel. A central framework 14 of each bail 7 extends downwardly from an angle bracket 15 of steel, which is secured to the corresponding support spine 2. Each central framework 14 comprises a downwardly extending central member 16 of tubular steel, and an arcuate member 17 also of tubular steel in a plane containing the corresponding support spine 2. The arcuate member 17 is formed by a single bend at 18 and terminates in adjacent ends 19 which are welded to the angle bracket 15, as is the central member 16. Each central member 16 is also welded at 20 to the corresponding arcuate member 17.

The rearward partition element 12 of each bail 7 comprises a top member 22 and a spaced apart bottom member 23 which are joined by an arcuate member 24. The top, bottom and arcuate members 22,23 and 24, respectively, are formed from a single piece of tubular steel bent in a single bend to form the arcuate member 24.

Ends 25 of the top and bottom members 22 and 23 are welded to the central member 16 of the central framework 14.

The forward partition elements 11 of each bail 7 comprise parallel spaced apart top and bottom members 27 and 28, respectively, of tubular steel extending from the IEO 2 02 1 8 central framework 14. A support strut 29 extends from the angle bracket 15 to the top member 27, and a reinforcing strut 30 extends between the top and bottom members 27 and 28 for reinforcing the forward partition element 11.

Each forward partition element 11 carries a corresponding gate 33 which is pivotal on a pivot mounting means, namely, a pivotal carrier bracket 34 carried between the top and bottom members 27 and 28. Each gate 33 is pivotal on the corresponding carrier bracket 34 between a closed state and an open state. The gates 33a are illustrated in Fig. 3 in the closed state for preventing access to the animal accommodating locations 8 adjacent the corresponding bails 7 on the upstream side thereof. The gate 33b is illustrated in Fig. 3 in the open state providing access to the animal accommodating location 8 adjacent the corresponding bail 7 on the upstream side thereof. Bores 35 through the top and bottom members 27 and 28 of each forward partition element 11 accommodate a pivot pin 36 on which the corresponding carrier bracket 34 is pivotal. Retaining clips 37 located in the ends of the top and bottom members 27 and 28 retain the pivot pin 36 securely therein.

A mounting panel 39 in each gate 33 is provided with a plurality of mounting locations, namely, sets of mounting holes 40 for facilitating selective mounting of the gates 33 to the corresponding carrier bracket 38 as will be described below. Three screws 41 through a selected set of mounting holes 40 in the mounting panel 39 engage threaded holes 42 in each carrier bracket 34 for securing the corresponding gate 33 to the carrier bracket 34. A tension spring 44 acting between the reinforcing strut 30 and the carrier bracket 34 urges the corresponding gate 33 into the closed ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 position.

Each gate 33 is formed by a single member of tubular steel which is bent to form a top member 45 and a bottom member 46 joined by arcuate end members 47. The end members 47 are each formed by a single bend. The mounting panel 39 which is of steel plate is welded between the top and bottom members 45 and 46 of each gate 33.

A portion of each gate extends in a generally downstream direction from the carrier bracket 34 when the gate 33 is in the closed state and acts as an animal engaging member 48 which is engageable with an animal entering the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location 8 for pivoting the gate into the open position for providing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location 8. The animal engaging member 48 is of sufficient length such that for so long as an animal is in the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location the gate 33 is retained by the animal in the open state, thus providing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location.

Adjacent portions 49 of the central frameworks 14 of adjacent bails 7 effectively form a crush for accommodating the neck of an animal, but engaging the trunk ofthe animal for preventing the animal going further into the animal accommodating location 8. The rearward partition elements 12 in use are provided for extending over a longitudinally extending feed trough 73 in the corresponding side area 12. for effectively limiting the area of the feed trough available to the animals in the IE Ο 2 02 1 8 respective animal accommodating locations 8.

Returning now to the suspension of the support spines 2 from the trusses 6. The operating member 13 of each bail apparatus 1 extends parallel to the corresponding support spine 2, and is carried in a plurality of bearings 53, which are rotatable in corresponding bearing mountings 54 carried on the trusses 6, see Figs. 5 and 6. Each linkage 9 comprises a first member 56 fixed to the operating member 13 and a second member 57 pivotally connected to the first member 56 and to a pivot mounting bracket 58 which is secured to the support spine 2. In general, a plurality io of linkages 9 will be provided between the operating member 13 and the corresponding support spine 2, and in certain cases, it is envisaged that a sufficient number of linkages 9 may be provided so that one linkage 55 is provided adjacent each bail 7. A motor (not shown) which may be an electrically powered stepper motor or a pneumatic or hydraulic motor is provided for rotating the operating member 13 in the appropriate directions for raising and lowering the corresponding support spine 2.

In this embodiment of the invention each bearing 53 is a nylon bearing and the bearing mountings 54 are each formed by a pair of spaced apart U-shaped members 55 which engage a circumferential flange 52 extending around the bearing 53 for locating the bearings 53 longitudinally in the bearing mountings 54. An inner bore 51 of the bearing 53 is shaped for engaging the operating member 50 for preventing rotation of the operating member 50 within the bearing 53. U-bolts 59 secure the bearing brackets 54 to the adjacent truss 6. ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 Before describing the apparatus 1 in further detail, the use and operation of the apparatus 1 will now be described. The apparatus 1 are mounted in a milking parlour so that a passageway 74 extends along each side area 72 between the service area 71 and the apparatus 1. The width of the passageway 74 is such that the gates 33 when in the open state extend into the passageway 74 for impeding passage of an animal along the passageway 74, thereby blocking the passage of an animal beyond an open gate 33 for thus directing the animal into the animal accommodating location 8 immediately upstream of the bale 7 of which the gate 33 is in the open state. A downstream barrier 75 which is carried on the corresponding support spine 2 at the downstream-most end thereof extends across the corresponding passageway 74 for blocking the downstream end of the passageway 74, see Figs. 1 and 2.

Thus, with the support spine 2 of the corresponding side area 72, and in turn the bales 7 in the lower operable position, and with all the gates 33 in the closed state, animals are prevented from gaining access to all the animal accommodating locations 8 with the exception of the downstream-most location 8 which is defined between the downstream barrier 75 and the downstream-most bale 7. On the first of the animals passing along the passageway 74 in the downstream direction, namely, in the direction of the arrow A coming up against the downstream barrier 75 the first animal is directed into the most downstream animal accommodating location 8. On entering the most downstream animal accommodating location 8, the animal engages the animal engaging member 48 of the gate 33 of the downstream-most ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 bale 7, thereby opening the gate 33, and providing access to the following animal to the next adjacent upstream animal accommodating location 8. The following animal on passing into the animal accommodating location 8 on the upstream side of the most downstream bale 7 opens the gate 33 of the next adjacent bale 7, and so on until all the animal accommodating locations 8 accommodate an animal. Each animal as it enters a corresponding one of the animal accommodating locations 8 extends its head and neck between adjacent portions 49 of the adjacent central frameworks 14 which act as a crush, and the animal can feed from the trough 73. io When it is desired to release the animals from the bale apparatus 1, the corresponding operating member 13 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B by the drive motor (not shown) for raising the corresponding support spine 2, and in turn the bales 7 into the raised inoperable position, well above the ground, as illustrated in the side area 72b of Fig. 1 to clear the animals. The animals then merely walk beneath the bales 7 and the downstream barrier 75 in the generally downstream direction A and from the milking parlour 70.

When the last of the animals have cleared the apparatus 1, the operating members 13 are rotated in the direction of the arrow C by the drive motor (not shown), thus lowering the corresponding support spine 2, and in turn the bails 7 into the operable position. When lowered into the operable position the apparatus 1 is ready for use with all the gates in the closed state. Once the support spine 2 and the bails 7 are raised into the inoperable position to clear the animals, the animal engaging portions of the gates 33 are disengaged from the animals, and the gates 33 are operated ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8 into the closed state under the action of the tension spring 44.

Returning now to the mounting of the bails 7 to the support spines 2, screws 60 secure the angle brackets 15 to the corresponding support spine 2. A plurality of screw accommodating holes 61 are provided through the spine 2 for facilitating securing of the corresponding bails 7 at appropriate desired spacings one from the other along the spines 2. The brackets 58 of the linkages 9 are secured to the support spine 2 by the same screws 60 which secure the angle brackets 15 to the support spine 2. Accordingly, in order to facilitate adjustment of the spacings between the bails 7 it is important that the first link members 56 are adjustable along the operating member 13. Each first link member 56 terminates in a box section bracket 62 which is siideably engageabie on the operating member 13. Grub screws 64 through the brackets 62 secure the brackets 62, and in turn the first link member 56 in the desired location along the operating member 13.

Additionally, in order to accommodate different spacings between the bales 7, the gates 33 are also adjustably connected to the forward partition elements 11 by virtue of the mounting panel 39. The three screws 41 through a selected set of three corresponding mounting holes 40 in the mounting panel 39 secure each gate 33 to its corresponding carrier bracket 34. By selecting the appropriate set of three mounting holes 40 a desired length L of each gate 33 extending from the carrier bracket 34 can be selected. By selecting the set of mounting holes 40a the length L of the gate extending from the carrier bracket 34 towards the next upstream bail 7 is shortest, while by selecting the set of mounting holes 40b the length L of the gate is IE Ο 2 Ο 2 1 8 14 longest. Thus, depending on whether the bails 7 are located relatively closely to each other or further apart, the appropriate set of mounting holes 40 is selected in the mounting panel 39 of each gate 33, in order to close off the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location 8 to prevent access to the location 8 by the animals until the gate 33 has been operated into the open state. A spacer element 65 is located on each mounting panel 39 adjacent the carrier bracket 38 and is secured to the mounting plate 39 by one of the screws 41 for abutting one of the arcuate end members 47 of the adjacent downstream gate 33 in order to prevent a downstream gate 33 opening an adjacent upstream gate 33. If, for example, the length L of one of the gates 33 was sufficiently short that the end member 47 of the gate 33 abutted the animal engaging portion 48 of the next upstream gate 33, the action of the end member 47 on the animal engaging portion 48 under the action of the tension spring 44, would cause the adjacent upstream gate to open.

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

F.F. GORMAN & CO. ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8

Claims

1. Bail apparatus for separating animals comprising an elongated support spine extending from an upstream end to a downstream end, a plurality of spaced apart partitions carried on and extending transversely of the support spine, the partitions 5 defining therebetween a plurality of animal accommodating locations, each partition carrying a gate pivotal between a closed state for preventing access to the adjacent animal accommodating location on the upstream side of the partition, and an open state providing access to the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location, each gate in the open state extending from the corresponding partition to impede the 10 passage of an animal moving from the upstream end towards the downstream end beyond the corresponding partition for directing the animal into the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location, an animal engaging means extending from each gate engageable with an animal entering the downstream animal accommodating location adjacent the corresponding partition for urging the gate 15 from the closed to the open state as the animal enters the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location so that the animals are forced to enter the animal accommodating locations sequentially from the downstream end to the upstream end, wherein the partitions are adjustably mounted on the spine for facilitating adjustment of the spacing between the adjacent partitions, and at least some of the 20 gates are adjustably mounted on the corresponding partitions for varying the length of the gate extending across the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location for accommodating adjustment of the spacing of the partitions along the spine. ΙΕΟ 2 02 1 8

2. Bail apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which each of the gates is adjustably mounted on the corresponding partition.

3. Bail apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which a mounting panel is 5 located on each gate intermediate its ends, the mounting panel having a plurality of selectable mounting locations for selectively connecting the gate to a mounting means carried on the corresponding partition for facilitating adjustment ofthe gate relative to the corresponding partition for varying the length of the gate extending across the adjacent upstream animal accommodating location.

4. Bail apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which each gate is spring urged into the closed state, and the corresponding animal engaging means of each gate is engageable with an animal while the animal is in the adjacent downstream animal accommodating location for holding the gate in the open state against the 15 spring urging.

5. Bail apparatus for separating animals, the bail apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.