GB2072476A - Cattle crush - Google Patents

Abstract

A cattle crush comprises a rectangular cage having a longitudinal side door 5 which is pivotal about a horizontal axis 6 to allow easy access to a fallen animal. In one construction the side gate is slidable towards the other longitudinal side of the cage which is constituted by a wall to closely confine an animal housed with the crush. The transverse sides of the cage may include vertically hung gates, the exit gate having lateral extension means 23 to allow the gate to be pivoted into the crush to entice an animal to pull his head through a gap 8 in the longitudinal side gate for treatment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cattle crush This invention relates to a cattle crush.

A cattle crush is basically a cell or cage-like framework in which an individual animal is closely confined. Confinement in such a cattle crush allows the animal to be treated conveniently by a veterinary surgeon. Usually the head of the animal projects from the crush.

Conventional cattle crushes are of complex constructions in which the head of the animal is held in position by a yoke. The yoke must first be taken off the animal before it can be removed from the crush. If an animal looses consciousness or falls within the crush it is thus difficult to release it from the crush quickly. Failure to do may result in serious injury or death of an animal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cattle crush of simple construction with a quick release mechanism to allow easy access to and an increase in turning width for a fallen animal.

According to the invention there is provided a cattle crush comprising: a rectangular cage having; a pair of longitudinal sides, an end entrance, and an end exit, in which one of the longitudinal sides of the cage includes a side gate extending substantially the length of one side, said side gate being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis.

Preferably the horizontal axis is spaced apart from the ground.

In one embodiment of the invention one of the longitudinal sides is movable relative to the other side to alter the spacing therebetween.

In one preferred version of this embodiment guide means are provided adjacent the end exit to gradually narrow the lateral space available to an animal housed therein.

Preferably the end exit includes a vertically hung exit gate, said exit gate having lateral extension means and being pivotal into the crush to provide the guide means. Typically the end entrance includes a vertically hung entrance gate.

In a further preferred version of this embodiment the other longitudinal side is formed from portion of a wall.

Preferably the rectangular cage is formed by a framework mounted on two ground engaging supports, the framework being secured to the wall forming one of the longitudinal sides.

Typically the side door forms the other longitudinal side and comprises a horizontal pivot bar and a bottom support structure defining therebetween an open space through which the head of an animal positioned within the crush projects. Advantageously the side door is slideable towards the wall in a positioning means forming part of both the end entrance and the end exit. Preferably, the positioning means is above and spaced apart from both the entrance gate and the exit gate.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cattle crush, according to the invention with one type of positioning means, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cattle crush with another type of positioning means.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a cattle crush comprising a rectangular cage, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, defining two longitudinal sides, generally indicated by the reference numeral 2, an end exit 3, and an end entrance 4.

One of the longitudinal sides 2 includes a side gate 5, which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis defined by a horizontal pivot bar 6, and a bottom support structure 7. The pivot bar 6 and support structure 7 define therebetween an open space, or gap, 8 through which the head of the animal (not shown) positioned within the crush may project. The side gate 5 is slidabie in a positioning means towards the other longitudinal side 2 which forms portion of a wall 9.

The end exit 3 and end entrance 4 include vertically hung exit and entrance gates, respectively 10 and 11, spaced apart from the positioning means. The end exit gate 10 is further provided with lateral extension means comprising an "E shaped" member 1 2 slidably mounted in loop brackets 23 on the exit gate 10. The gate 10 is pivotal about a vertical axis to gradually narrow the lateral space available to an animal housed within the cage 1. The exit gate 10 thus acts as a guide means to entice the animal to project his head through the gap 8 in the side gate 5.

The framework is supported by two ground engaging supports 1 3 which are joined to the wall 9 by the brackets 14. The side gate 5 is slidable in the positioning means. Fig. 1 shows a cattle crush provided with a positioning means comprising a pair of spaced apart brackets 14 extending rearwardly from the supports 1 3 to the wall 9 with vertical spaced apart stop bars 1 5 along the brackets 14 to hold the side gate 5 in position. The pivot bar 56 has levers 21 with handgrips 22 mounted at the ends thereof so that the side gate 5 may be readily pivoted to release a fallen animal, or slidable along the brackets 14 to narrow the space available to an animal housed within the crush. Fig. 2 shows a cattle crush provided with another type of positioning means.

The latter positioning means comprises the brackets 14 with a pair of pulley wheels 1 6 rotatably mounted on an axle 1 8 at each end of the pivot bar 6. The wheels 1 6 engage the brackets 14 and are movable relative the brackets 14 by rotation of a crank handle 1 7 driving a shaft 19, one end 23 of which bears against the axle 18. The shaft is screw threaded along at least portion of its length to engage complimentary formations (not shown) in a collar 20 mounted on the ground engaging support 1 3.

In use the crush is prepared for reception of an animal or a number of animals by swinging the entrance gate 11 outwards to open it while maintaining the exit gate 10 and side gate 5 in their closed position. The animal is then led into the crush through the entrance gate 11. If it is desired to treat only one animal the entrance gate 11 is closed and the animal is secured in position by slidable movement of the side gate 5. If an animal collapses within the crush the side gate 5 may be quickly released and pivoted outwards about the top pivot bar 6. The animal may then be readily freed from the crush.

The cattle crush is also adapted for joining with at least one other similar cattle crush forming a composite crush for confining a plurality of animals. In this particular embodiment the framework thus formed is generally referred to as a cattle run.

In a further use for the cattle crush it may be adapted as a cattle feeder by filling the crush with winter feed. An animal outside the crush may conveniently feed by projecting his head through the gap 8 in the side gate 5.

Typically the cattle crush is manufactured from tubular structural steel.

It will be appreciated that the stop bars 15 as illustrated in Fig. 1 may be either fixed in a position in which case the side gate 5 is moved relative the brackets 14 in a stepwise manner, or removable from the brackets 14 in which case the side gate 5 is moved towards the wall 9 by rolling the pivot bar 6 between the brackets 14.

It will be apparent that while the embodiment described showed the pivot axis of the side gate spaced apart from the ground it would be possible to construct the side gate in such a manner as to have the pivot axis along the ground, the gate being collapsible outwards to release a fallen animal.

The term cattle as used hereinabove includes all livestock, in particular sheep, pigs, cows and calves.

The term cattle feed as used hereinbefore typically relates to hay or silage.

It will be appreciated that each individual cattle crush may confine up to six animals at any one time, depending on their size.

It will be further appreciated that a foot bath or spray device may be incorporated in the crush for treating cattle or sheep.

It will still further be appreciated that if an animal turns upside down within the crush the space between the side gate and the wall may be readily widened to allow the animal to right itself.

It will also be appreciated that when the crush is used to make a composite crush the latter positioning means will be located within the rectangular framework to allow extension of the end exit and end entrance.

It will still further be appreciated that the upper of the brackets 14 will, in use, be of lighter gauge than the lower bracket as the upper bracket may be subject to the upward force exerted by an animal on the side gate.

It will also be appreciated that slidable dividing bars may be positioned transverse the space between the side gate and the wall to separate individual animals within the crush.

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

Claims (14)

1. A cattle crush comprising: a rectangular cage having; a pair of longitudinal sides, an end entrance, and an end exit, in which one of the longitudinal sides of the cage includes a side gate extending substantially the length of one side, said side gate being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis.

2. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 1 in which the horizontal axis is spaced apart from the ground.

3. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which one of the longitudinal sides is movable relative to the other side to alter the spacing therebetween.

4. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which guide means are provided adjacent the end exit to gradually narrow the lateral spacing available to an animal housed therein.

5. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 4 in which the end exit includes a vertically hung exit gate, said exit gate having lateral extension means and being pivotal into the crush to provide the guide means.

6. A cattle crush as claimed in any preceding claim in which the end entrance includes a vertically hung entrance gate.

7. A cattle crush as claimed in any precedling claim in which one of the longitudinal sides is formed from portion of a wall.

8. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 7 in which the rectangular cage is formed by a framework mounted on two ground engaging supports, the framework being secured to the wall forming one of the longitudinal sides.

9. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 8 in which the side gate forming the other longitudinal side comprises a horizontal pivot bar and a bottom support structure defining therebetween an open space thrugh which the head of an animal positioned within the crush projects.

10. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the side door is slidable towards the wall in a positioning means forming part of both the end entrance and the end exit.

11. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 10 in which the positioning means is above and spaced apart from both the exit gate and the entrance gate.

1 2. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 11 in which the positioning means comprises a pair of spaced apart brackets extending rearwardly from the ground engaging supports to the wall, the spacing between the brackets being adapted to receive the ends of the pivot bar of the side door for sliding movement of the side door towards the wall, the brackets having a plurality of vertical stop bars therebetween for restricting lateral movement of the pivot bar.

1 3. A cattle crush as claimed in claim 11 in which the positioning means comprises a pair of spaced apart brackets extending rearwardly from the supports to the wall, the brackets engaging a pulley wheel rotatably mounted on an axle at each end of the pivot bar, the pulley wheels being movable relative the brackets by rotation of a crank handle driving a shaft one end of which bears against the axle, the shaft being screw threaded along at least portion of its length to engage complimentary formations in a collar mounted on the ground engaging support.

14. A cattle crush as claimed in any preceding claim with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

1 5. A cattle crush substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.