Improvements in or relating to shearing
Patent Information
- Application Number
- AU2026200846
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AU · AU
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-09-09
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-27
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
The present invention relates generally to a shearing and particularly, although not exclusively, to sheep shearing equipment. 5 Sheep shearing is the process of removing a sheep's woolly fleece, typically once a year. It is done to improve the sheep's comfort, especially in warmer months, and to harvest the wool for various products. 10 A sheep shearing machine is a powered tool used to remove a sheep's fleece. They typically have a motor, a drive shaft and a handpiece. The handpiece is the part of a shearing machine that the shearer holds and manipulates to cut the wool from the sheep. It functions like large electric 15 clippers, with a toothed blade (cutter) moving rapidly over another blade (comb) to cut the wool. This method is more efficient than hand shearing with blades. The handpiece is designed to convert the rotary motion of a driving spindle into a reciprocating (back and forth) action of the cutter. The power to run the 20 handpiece typically comes from a suspended / overhead motor unit (see Figure 1). The motor (powered by mains electricity or a generator) transfers power to the handpiece via a rotating inner core through either a solid or flexible drive. The handpiece connects to the end of the drive, typically by a spline (worm) or pin fitting. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 A "solid drive" in sheep shearing refers to a type of connection between the shearing machine's motor and the handpiece, where the drive shaft is rigid and transmits power directly. This contrasts with flexible drives, which use a flexible shaft. Solid drives are often preferred by experienced shearers for their power 5 and stability, particularly when shearing large numbers of sheep. Along the drive shaft an elbow joint is typically provided. The elbow joint is important for a shearer's technique, allowing for a smooth, controlled motion when using the shearing handpiece. Efficient shearing relies on the proper use 10 of the elbow to guide the handpiece and maintain control. Figures 2 to 4 shown a known elbow joint. This piece of equipment is designed to reduce strain on the shearer's wrist and hand, especially when shearing hundreds of sheep per day. A leather elbow guard that attaches to the handpiece 15 and provides support and leverage for the shearer. The guard covers the cogs in the elbow of the solid drive shaft. The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to shearing machines. 20 An aspect of the present invention provides a coupling for acting between two sections of a shearing machine solid drive shaft, the coupling comprising a first gear-containing part and a second gear-containing part, the parts being connected by a hinge arrangement configured to permit folding of the sections so 25 as to be substantially parallel to each other. 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 The hinge arrangement may be provided as an elbow joint. The gear-containing parts may be configured such that the gears mesh in all relative angular positions. This may allow the hinge arrangement to pivot to the 5 position in which the parts are parallel. One of the gear-containing parts may be larger (e.g. “wider”) than the other. Pivot bolts may be provided from either side. 10 The sections may comprise a shorter section and a longer section. The parts may hinge approximately 160-200 degrees, for example approximately 165 degrees or approximately 180 degrees. 15 An aspect of the present invention provides a coupling acting between a long tube and a short tube of a shearing machine solid drive shaft, the coupling comprising a first gear-containing part and a second gear-containing part, the parts being connected by a hinge arrangement configured to permit folding of the 20 long tube and the short tube so as to be substantially parallel to each other. Because the parts can fold around (approximately) 180 degrees with respect to each other this means a transport / storage position can be achieved. 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 In some embodiments one of the parts comprises a pair of opposed hinge pins and the other part comprises corresponding pin holes in which the hinge pins fit. Each of the parts may comprise a generally quadrant-shape housing 5 The gears of the first and second parts may, for example, have (exactly) sixteen teeth each. The present invention also provides an elbow joint for a sheep shearing machine 10 solid drive shaft, the joint comprising first and second parts and being movable between a position in which the parts are approximately in line to a position in which the parts are rotated to approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. The parts may comprise intermeshing gears and the gears are drivingly engaged 15 in the inline position, the rotated position and all positions therebetween. Some embodiments may provide a fold flat solid drive shaft (or a portion thereof which folds flat). 20 Also provided is a sheep shearing machine comprising a coupling as described herein. A further aspect of the present invention provides or relates to a shearing machine. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 In a shearing machine having a traditional solid drive, there is an inner drive element which is connected to the motor or power source by a bayonet fitting or a similar fitting and the power is transmitted down the inner drive element to a universal joint and then on to a shorter drive element that is attached to the 5 handpiece or cutter mechanism. The inner drive element is contained in a long tube with a spring at the top to allow radial movement. 10 It is the object of the present invention to provide a shearing machine having a smoother drive with less vibration from the shearing machine to the handpiece via a solid drive. According to the present invention there is provided a shearing machine having 15 a drive mechanism that includes a flexible elongated element. The flexible elongated element may be made of a suitable plastic material, such as nylon (RTM). 20 In an aspect of the present invention there is provided a shearing machine has a drive mechanism that includes a flexible elongated element made of a plastic material and a spring fitted around the flexible elongated element, the upper part of the spring is surrounded by a solid sleeve. 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 A further aspect provides a shearing machine having a drive mechanism that includes a flexible elongated element. The flexible elongated element may be made of a plastics material. 5 A spring may be fitted around the flexible elongated element. The upper part of the spring may be surrounded by an outer sleeve. 10 The machine may include a motor that is connected to the top of that part of the drive mechanism that includes the flexible elongated element. The present invention also provides a shearing machine as described herein comprising or fitted with a coupling or joint as described herein. 15 Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together. The present invention is also described, by way of example, with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings. All orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention or its connection to a closure. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 Example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples 5 set forth herein. Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit 10 to the particular forms disclosed and as well as individual embodiments the invention is intended to cover combinations of those embodiments as well. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals 15 throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate. The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form in the present document should 20 not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used 5 herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 10 Figure 1 shows a known sheep shearing machine. Figures 2 to 4 show a known elbow joint. Figure 5 shows a solid drive 1 formed in accordance with the present invention. 15 The "solid drive" in sheep shearing refers to a type of connection between the shearing machine's motor and the handpiece. The tubes (e.g. the shorter tube) can fold all the way around. 20 Pivoting is provided by a screw. Figure 6 shows one half of a quick release coupling 4 and illustrating a drive spindle. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 Figures 7 to 12 show a connector / coupler 5 formed in accordance with the present invention. The first gear-containing part 10 and the second gear-containing part 20 are 5 shown, each containing a respective gear 12, 22. Each of the gears comprises sixteen teeth 14, 24. In this embodiment there are exactly sixteen teeth on each gear. The gear-containing part 10 has pivot eye 16, 17 at each side thereof. 10 Correspondingly the gear-containing part 20 has a pivot eye 26, 27 at each side thereof. The pivot eyes 16, 17 sit outboard of the respective eyes 26, 27. The part 10 is therefore wider than the part 20. 15 Pivot bolts 30, 35 are provided and pass through the eyes 17, 27 and 16, 26 respectively to secure the parts 10, 20 pivotably together. In the fully opened position (e.g. Figure 11, 12, 13A-13G), with the short tube and 20 long tube generally parallel to each other, the gear-containing parts lie side by side with the gears generally the same plane. In this position the gear teeth can still mesh (although not drivingly, in this embodiment). Figures 13A to 13G show further views of the connector. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 As illustrated in Figure 14 the part 10 can sit on top of the part 20 (with the gears drivingly engaged). The “cup-like” gear-containing parts therefore fit together (but not one inside the other) with the upper / open edges 11, 21 adjacent (the Figure shows the parts almost, but not completely closed against each other). It will be 5 noted that this is not a male and female part configuration. This means the pivot arrangement allows the long tube and the short tube to be generally co-linear and at the other extreme generally parallel. 10 Figures 15 to 17 show a transport clamp / bracket / lock 30 for securing the long 2 and short 3 tubes together in the folded / transport configuration. The clamp 30 comprises a split block with two apertures 32, 33 for respectively receiving the long and short tubes 2, 3. The block can be fitted over the tubes and tightened using a wing nut 31 and screw 34 (other tightening means are possible). 15 Figure 18 and Figure 19 show a solid drive unit 101 formed according to a further embodiment. The unit is similar to the unit 1. The elbow joint may be provided with a guard. The guard may, for example, be 20 formed from leather or a leather-like material. In the elbow casting one part is bigger (e.g. wider overall) than the other. The gears may have exactly sixteen teeth each. 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 Washers may be provided to keep the drive spindle generally centrally in the short and / or long tubes. The unit 1 has a snap connector for connecting the coupling to the long tube. The 5 unit 101 provides a groove on the elbow joint. Pins go through the groove. This connector reduces weight, which can be important at this end. The drive spindle has a generally square section. 10 A transport tube (not shown) may be provided for the whole unit. When folded, the unit can fit into the transport tube. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of most of the mechanism of the solid drive of a shearing machine with circles on the two sides of Figure 20 showing the relative 15 positions of the parts of the mechanism shown in Figures 21 and 22. Figures 21 and 22 are cross-sectional views of pans of the solid drive, and Figure 23 is a side view of the shearing machine complete with solid drive. 20 A shearing machine has a drive mechanism that includes a flexible elongated element (c) made of a plastic material and a spring (d) fitted around the flexible elongated element (c). The upper part of the spring (d) is surrounded by a solid sleeve (e). 25 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 The machine includes a drive fitting (a) for the transmission of drive from the motor (q) to a second drive fitting (b) that is connected to a flexible drive shaft (c) in the form of a flexible elongated element that extends through the centre of the assembly. The flexible drive shaft (c) is made of an appropriate plastic material, 5 such as nylon, and is surrounded by a sprung sleeve (d), which is a metal spring that acts to return the lower part of the assembly to the vertical when it has been flexed. The upper part of the sprung sleeve (d) is surrounded by a solid outer sleeve (e) connected to the housing of the motor (q). A ring clamp (f) operated by means of a cammed lever (h) or a similar device serves to apply pressure to 10 ensure a positive connection between the sprung sleeve (d) and the outer sleeve (e) of the motor. A flexible sleeve 5 bushing (g) serves to maintain the flexible drive shaft (c) in a central location. Figure 21 shows an output shaft (i) that transmits drive to an elbow joint (r), shown 15 in Figure 23, to which a collar (j) is also connected. A quick disconnect fitting (m) comprises a male end and a female end (l). It permits rapid connection and disconnection of the upper and lower parts of the assembly allowing easy storage and maintenance of the parts disposed at the lower end of the assembly. There is a solid tube (v) shown in Figure 23, that connects the upper end (n) of the quick 20 disconnect fitting (m) to the upper part of the assembly and there is a sliding sleeve (p) that provides for the transmission of drive from the inner flexible drive shaft (c) to the output shaft (i). As shown in Figure 23, the drive for the shearing machine is provided by a motor 25 (q) that is connected by means of a top connector (x) to the top of the part (w) of 2026200846 05 Feb 2026 the mechanism that includes the inner flexible drive shaft (c). Part (w) is connected to the solid down tube (v), which is connected at its lower end to a part (m) which includes the quick disconnect fitting. Part (m) is connected to an elbow joint (r), which in turn is connected to a short lower tube (s) terminating in a ferrule 5 (t), to which the handpiece or cutter mechanism is attached. In use, drive is transmitted to the elbow joint (r) via the sliding sleeve (p), which is of square cross-section and slides in and out of a square hole in the drive shaft (c) during the transmission of drive to the elbow joint (r). The cross-section may 10 be other than square but cannot be circular. The sliding movement of the sleeve (p) ensures that there is no longitudinal pull on the inner drive shaft (c). Drive is transmitted through the flexible sleeve bushing (g), that runs for the full length of the part (w) of the mechanism and through the solid down tube (v). There is thus a very smooth drive to the universal joint (r) and therefore on to the final drive 15 section (s) and to the handpiece. The provision of the elbow joint (r) and the short tube (s) at the lower end of the mechanism allows radial movement and ensures easy connection and disconnection of the mechanism. 20 Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without 25 departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A coupling acting between a long tube and a short tube of a shearing machine solid drive shaft, the coupling comprising a first gear-containing part and5 a second gear-containing part, the parts being connected by a hinge arrangement configured to permit folding of the long tube and the short tube so as to be generally parallel to each other.
2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, in which one of the parts comprises a10 pair of opposed hinge pins and the other part comprises corresponding pin holes in which the hinge pins fit.
3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which each of the parts comprises a generally quadrant-shape housing.154, A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the gears of the first and second parts have sixteen teeth.
5. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, in which the first gear-containing part has20 a pivot eye at each side thereof and correspondingly the second gear-containing part has a pivot eye at each side thereof, the pivot eyes of the first gear-containing part sit outboard of the respective pivot eyes of the second gear-containing part, the first gear containing part is therefore wider than the second gear-containing part, pivot bolts are provided at each side and pass through the eyes to secure25 the parts pivotably together.2026200846 05 Feb 20266. An elbow joint for a sheep shearing machine solid drive shaft, the joint comprising first and second parts and being movable between a position in which the parts are approximately in line to a transport position in which the parts are 5 rotated to approximately 180 degrees relative to each other.
7. A joint as claimed in claim 6, in which the parts comprise intermeshing gears and the gears are drivingly engaged in the inline position, the transport position and all positions therebetween.
108. A sheep shearing machine comprising a coupling or joint as claimed in any preceding claim.
9. A shearing machine having a drive mechanism that includes a flexible 15 elongated element.
10. A shearing machine as claimed in Claim 9, in which the flexible elongated element is made of a plastic material.20 11. A shearing machine as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which a spring is fitted around the flexible elongated element.
12. A shearing machine as claimed in Claim 11, in which the upper part of the spring is surrounded by an outer sleeve.252026200846 05 Feb 202613. A shearing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a motor that is connected to the top of that part of the drive mechanism that includes the flexible elongated element.5 14. A shearing machine as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13 comprising a coupling or joint as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7.
15. A shearing sheep shearing machine comprising a machine as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9.1016. An animal shearing facility provided with one or more machines as claimed in claim 15.15