Device for assisting forward movement of livestock

Abstract

A device for assisting forward movement of animals in a livestock raceway, the device comprising a pivot structure, an actuator and an arm assembly. The pivot structure is rotatably mounted to the raceway. The actuator is connected between the raceway and the pivot structure for rotating the pivot structure between a first position and a second position. The arm assembly is pivotally mounted to the pivot structure for rotation between a first extended position and a second retracted position. The arm assembly is biased towards the first extended position and is extendable and retractable in a telescopic manner. The pivot structure and arm assembly are arranged for positioning over a livestock animal in the raceway and also for pivoting from such a retracted position to a position for forcing the livestock animal to move forward without interfering with an animal that can be positioned beneath the device.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 188,408, filed May 13, 2021, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 128,247, filed December 21, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as if repeated verbatim. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a device used in conjunction with livestock lanes to assist livestock in moving forward through the lanes. Background Technology

[0004] Livestock runways are typically designed to confine animals in a single file and are narrow enough to prevent them from turning around. In the past, a device known as a "no-backwards" mechanism might have been used, which allowed animals to move forward but restricted them from moving backwards. However, even with this, it was common for animals to stop moving, requiring operator intervention, often involving pushing or poking the animals. Such operator intervention was time-consuming and risky. What is needed is a device that can be installed in the livestock runway that does not restrict forward movement but can then be activated to propel the livestock forward within the runway. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The above needs are addressed by a forward movement assist device for assisting a livestock animal in moving forward in a livestock raceway, the type of forward movement assist device having a frame that supports closely spaced side walls that define a narrow passage to allow single file movement of the livestock animal. The forward movement assist device includes a pivot structure, an arm assembly, and an actuator. The pivot structure is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the side walls of the raceway. The pivot structure is rotatable about a first axis that is generally normal to the side walls of the raceway. The actuator is connected at least indirectly between the raceway frame and the pivot structure. The actuator is capable of rotating the pivot structure between a first pivot structure position and a second pivot structure position. The arm assembly has a first proximal end and a second distal end. The arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the pivot structure at the proximal end of the arm assembly such that the arm assembly is rotatable about a second axis relative to the pivot structure between a first extended position and a second retracted position, the second axis also being generally normal to the side walls of the raceway. The arm assembly is also biased toward the first extended position. The distal end of the arm assembly is fixed with a paddle attachment. The pivot structure and the arm assembly are arranged such that a livestock animal moving through the raceway will encounter the paddle attachment and be able to push the paddle attachment and the arm assembly upward toward the second retracted position and pass underneath the arm assembly as the animal moves forward in the raceway. The pivot structure and the arm assembly are also arranged such that when the arm assembly is in the first retracted position relative to the pivot structure, the arm assembly is rotatable through the pivot structure to bring the paddle attachment into contact with the rear of the livestock animal to force the animal to move forward in the raceway as a result of the pivot structure rotating from the first pivot structure position toward the second pivot structure position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a forward movement assist device 10 shown installed in a livestock raceway.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a forward movement assist device 10.

[0008] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a forward movement assist device 10.

[0009] Figure 4 shows the forward movement assist device in a first position in which the actuator is fully retracted.

[0010] Figure 5 shows the forward movement assist device in a second lowered position that is adapted to contact the rear quarters of a livestock animal.

[0011] Figure 6The forward movement assist device is shown in a third lowered and forward position which is suitable for contacting the rear quarters of the livestock animal and pushing the animal in a forward direction.

[0012] Figure 7 The forward movement assist device is shown in a fourth fully raised and fully forward pivoted position in which the actuator is fully extended, the position is suitable for raising the arm assembly above the livestock animal and allowing the second livestock animal to pass underneath the forward movement assist device.

[0013] Figure 8 The forward movement assist device is shown in a fifth partially raised and partially forward pivoted position when the arm assembly is pivoted back so that the arm assembly can brush along the back of the second livestock animal.

[0014] Figure 9 The forward movement assist device is shown in a sixth partially raised and partially forward pivoted position in which the arm assembly is moved back compared to the position shown in Figure 8 The sixth partially raised and partially forward pivoted position is also suitable for allowing the arm of the device to brush along the back of the second livestock animal until the arm is repositioned to the position shown in Figure 5 and then push the second livestock animal forward in the same manner as shown for the first livestock animal in Figure 5 and Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 and Figure 2 One embodiment of a forward movement assist device 10 is shown mounted to a livestock raceway 5. As Figure 1 shown, the livestock raceway 5 is of the type having narrow ground spaced side walls 5A and 5B mounted within a frame 5F. The side walls 5A and 5B define a narrow passageway 7 for allowing single file movement of the livestock animals 8. In this example, the raceway 5 includes a rectangular frame 5F which supports the side walls 5A and 5B. In addition, the frame 5F can be considered to define an envelope which is bounded in part by two frame side planes PI and P2. Further, in this example, the frame 5F includes two parallel, spaced apart upper longitudinal members 5FM1 and 5FM2. As can be clearly seen from Figure 2 The forward movement assist device 10 includes a pivot structure 20, an actuator 40 and an arm assembly 70.

[0016] ​The pivot structure 20 is rotatably mounted to the upper longitudinal members 5FM1 and 5FM2 of the frame 5F of the roadway 5. In this example, the pivot structure 20 includes a pivot shaft 22, a pivot arm 24, and an actuator arm 26. In this example, the pivot shaft 22 is rotatably mounted, at least indirectly, to the upper longitudinal members 5FM1 and 5FM2 of the roadway frame 5F for rotation about an axis Al. The axis Al is generally orthogonal to the frame side planes PI and P2. The pivot arm 24 is fixed to the pivot shaft 22 and extends away from the pivot shaft 22. A distal end of the pivot arm 24 carries an arm assembly 70, which will be described in detail below.

[0017] In this example, the pivot arm 24 includes two side plates 24A1 and 24A2. A stop member 24S is adjacent to the pivot shaft 22 and is fixed between the side plates 24A1 and 24A2. The purpose of the stop member 24S will also be discussed below. The actuator arm 26 is also fixed to the pivot shaft 22 and also extends away from the pivot shaft 22, as shown in Figure 2 In this example, a distal end of the actuator arm 26 has an attachment interface 26A that is adapted to be rotatably attached to the actuator 40. The actuator 40 is connected between the actuator arm 26 and a structure that is part of the roadway 5 or is fixed to the roadway 5. In this example, as can be seen in Figure 1 The actuator 40 is pivotably mounted at a proximal end of the actuator to a transverse member 5FC that extends between the upper longitudinal members 5FM1 and 5FM2 of the frame 5F. In this example, the actuator 40 is a hydraulic cylinder that is controlled to move between a retracted position, as shown in Figure 1 Figure 4 and an extended position, as shown in Figure 7 while the pivot structure 20 is rotated between a first pivot structure position, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 and a second pivot structure position, as shown in Figure 7

[0018] ​The arm assembly 70 is pivotally mounted at a proximal end of the arm assembly 70 to the pivot arm 24 of the pivot structure 20 so that the arm assembly 70 can rotate relative to the pivot structure 20 about a second axis A2, which is also generally orthogonal to the above-mentioned planes PI and P2. The arm assembly 70 includes an outer tube 72, a height selector arm 74, and a paddle attachment 80. The outer tube 72 slidably and adjustably receives the height selector arm 74. The arm assembly 70 is pivotally mounted to the pivot arm 24 by a pivotal joint, which in this example includes two opposing corresponding collars 24C1 and 24C2 fixed in alignment to side plates 24A1 and 24A2, respectively, of the pivot arm 24, a collar 72C fixed to the outer tube 72 of the arm assembly 70, and a pin 72P common to the collars 24C1, 72C, and 24C2 to complete the joint. The range of rotation of the arm assembly 70 relative to the pivot structure 20 and more particularly relative to the pivot arm 24 is between a first retracted position as shown in Figure 4 to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 and a second extended position as shown in Figure 9 . As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the arm assembly 70 is not only rotatably mounted to the pivot arm 24 as described above, but is also biased toward the first retracted position relative to the pivot arm 24 by a tension spring 24B connected between the pivot arm 24 and the outer tube 72 of the arm assembly 70. When the arm assembly 70 is in the first retracted position as shown in Figure 4 or the position shown in Figure 5 , the tension spring 24B exerts sufficient force to bring the outer tube 72 into contact with a stop member 24S. Further, as shown in Figure 6 , the outer tube 72 overcomes the stop member 24S when the arm assembly 70 exerts a force on the rear quarters of the livestock animal with a force greater than that exerted by the tension spring 24B. In Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 , for example, the tension spring 24B provides sufficient force to overcome the weight of the arm assembly 70 to hold the outer tube 72 in place relative to the pivot arm 24, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 , so that the outer tube 72 is in contact with the stop member 24S.

[0019] As can also be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the overall length of the arm assembly 70 is adjustable. As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the outer tube 72 receives the height selector arm 74. As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3As can be seen, the outer tube 72 has opposing side slots 72S, and the height selector arm 74 has corresponding opposing side holes 74H. In this example, the opposing side holes 74H are evenly spaced along most of the length of the arm 74. By installing bolts 70B at selected locations in the selected holes 74H and slots 72S, the maximum and minimum lengths of the arm 74 can be adjusted over a wide range to accommodate livestock of a wide size. (See reference...) Figure 3 As can be seen, bolt 70B is inserted through the selected opposing slots 72S and through a selected set of opposing holes 74H (to select the desired length of arm assembly 70), and bolt 70B is installed to remain in place such that the bolt does not clamp arm 74 to outer tube 74, but is loose to allow sliding movement, thereby allowing height selector arm 74 to slide freely within outer tube 72 in a telescopic manner between a first lower limit and a second upper limit. The range of this sliding movement is controlled by the length of the opposing slots 72S. Therefore, arm 74 slides freely within the limited range defined by slots 72S, but the overall vertical lower and upper limits of the sliding movement of arm 74 can be selected by selecting the opposing paired holes 74H for receiving bolt 70B. Figure 9 As shown, if the following animal 8A is passing under the forward assist device 10, this allows the arm 74 to slide upward relative to the outer tube 72. When the arm 74 is not pushed upward by the animal, as... Figure 9 As shown, arm 74 is then biased by its own weight. Figure 4 to Figure 8 The extended position is shown in the figure.

[0020] The paddle attachment 80 is pivotally mounted to the distal end of the height selector arm 74. The paddle attachment 80 may optionally be at least partially covered by a soft outer cover (not shown) and is intended for contact with the hindquarters of the livestock, such as... Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. Preferably, any soft covering does not cover the rolling element 84 as described below. Figure 2 As shown, the paddle attachment 80 has two opposing flanges 80F, each flange having a corresponding bolt hole 80H and a corresponding arcuate groove 80S. The lower end of the height selector arm 72 also has bolt holes corresponding to the holes 80H and the grooves 80S. Therefore, although the paddle attachment 80 can be mounted at a fixed angle selected from the range allowed by the grooves 80S by using bolts 80B1 and 80B2, it is preferable to leave bolts 80B1 and 80B2 loose to allow the paddle attachment 80 to rotate freely within the limited range defined by the movement of bolt 80B2 within the arcuate groove 80S. This range of motion of the paddle attachment 80 facilitates a sweeping motion of the paddle attachment 80 along the back of the following livestock 8A, such as... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, then withFigure 5 The same manner as for the livestock animal 8 positions the paddle attachment 80 behind the subsequent livestock animal 8A.

[0021] The lower end of the paddle attachment 80 has laterally oriented rollers 84 that are free to rotate on a lateral shaft fixed to the paddle attachment 80. As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the rollers 84 are adapted to facilitate movement of the paddle attachment 80 along the back of the livestock animal 8A by greatly reducing the friction between the paddle attachment 80 and the animal. If one skilled in the art refers to Figure 9 how the paddle attachment 80 can pivot relative to the arm 74 while the arm 74 can freely slide upward as described above, then one skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the paddle attachment 80 will be able to move harmlessly along the back of the livestock animal 8A as the rollers 84 roll along the back of the livestock animal 8A even when the livestock animal 8A is moving forward in the alley 5. One skilled in the art will also note that as the rollers 84 roll along the back of the livestock animal 8A, sufficient force is applied to the arm assembly 70 to overcome the bias of the tension spring 24B, thereby allowing the outer tube 72 to rotate away from the stop member 24S.

[0022] Figure 4 The forward movement assist device 10 is shown in a first, retracted position. This position is suitable to allow the livestock animal 8 to enter the alley under the paddle attachment 80. One skilled in the art will note that the hydraulic cylinder 40 is fully retracted such that the arm 70 is in a first position.

[0023] Figure 5 The forward movement assist device 10 is shown in a second, lowered position. This position is suitable to bring the paddle attachment 80 into contact with the rear quarters of the livestock animal 8 whereby the livestock animal 8 can be urged into a forward position.

[0024] In Figure 6 , the forward assist device 10 urges the livestock animal 8 in a forward direction. Figure 6 The forward movement assist device 10 is shown as it can be used to urge the livestock animal 8 forward in the alley when the forward movement assist device 10 is in the second, lowered position and is pivoted forward by the partially extended hydraulic cylinder 40. As Figure 6 shown, the arm assembly 70 is pivoted about the axis A2 (as Figure 3(As shown) Rotate counterclockwise to its limit of counterclockwise movement, and the paddle attachment 80 also rotates counterclockwise relative to the lower end of the arm assembly 70 to its limit of counterclockwise movement. If another following animal does not closely follow animal 8, the operator should be able to fully retract the hydraulic cylinder 40, thereby returning the forward movement assist 10 to its original position. Figure 4 The position shown. If the following animal 8A closely follows the animal 8, the operator preferably moves the forward movement assist 10 to the position by fully extending the hydraulic cylinder 40. Figure 7 The location shown.

[0025] Figure 7 The forward movement assist 10 is shown in a fully raised and fully forward-pivoted position, a position suitable for allowing livestock to pass beneath it. The operator positions the forward movement assist 10 in this position if a subsequent livestock 8A follows into the aisle. This position is achieved by fully extending the hydraulic cylinder 40. Figure 7 The position shown ensures that the forward movement assist device 10 does not obstruct the forward movement of subsequent livestock 8A that may follow the livestock 8.

[0026] Figure 8 and Figure 9 This demonstrates how the forward movement assist device 10 can be used with... Figure 5 The same method shown for livestock animals 8 Figure 7 The fully lifted and forward-positioned vehicle returns to a position behind the following animal 8A. The operator can perform this operation by manipulating the forward movement assist 10 even when the following animal 8A is in the aisle, or even when there are more than one following animal in the aisle. Figure 8 As shown, when the arm assembly 70 is about its axis of rotation ( Figure 3 As axis A2 (as shown) rotates counterclockwise, hydraulic cylinder 40 retracts. During this movement, paddle attachment 80 sweeps backward along the animal's back until it leaves the animal and arm assembly 70 extends. Figure 5 The position is shown. This movement is possible because the forward movement assist 10 has multiple degrees of freedom to facilitate this non-invasive movement of the paddle attachment 80 along the back of the livestock. First, the arm assembly 70 is able to rotate relative to the pivot arm 24 about axis A2 in a clockwise direction (clockwise as shown) against the counterclockwise bias of the tension spring 24B. By comparison Figure 8 and Figure 9This rotational movement can be seen. Second, arm 74 can slide upward against the bias of its own weight relative to outer tube 72 within the confines defined by the movement of bolt 70B within the opposing slots 72S contained by outer tube 72. By comparison Figure 8 and 9 This reverse telescoping upward movement can also be seen. Third, paddle attachment 80 can rotate clockwise about the joint comprising bolt 80B1 against the bias of its own weight relative to the distal end of arm 74 through a rotational angle controlled by the movement of bolt 80B2 within the opposing arcuate slots 80S. By comparison Figure 7 and Figure 8 This movement can be observed. These degrees of freedom allow the device to be moved between the position shown in Figure 7 and the position shown in Figure 5 while minimizing any disturbance to livestock animal 8A. When paddle attachment 80 clears the back of livestock animal 8A, then arm assembly 70 rotates counterclockwise due to the bias of spring 24B, arm 74 falls to its lower limit due to its own weight, and paddle attachment 80 rotates counterclockwise to its limit due to its own weight, so that forward movement assist device 10 assumes a position very similar to that shown in Figure 5 The operator can now push the animal forward as shown in Figure 6 or retract the device to the positions shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 .

[0027] Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, forward movement assist device 10 can be used to facilitate the forward movement of individual or widely spaced livestock animals as well as animals following closely upon one another. Widely separated animals can be accommodated by the sequence of positions shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 and then back to the position shown in Figure 4 . Furthermore, as will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a second closely spaced animal can be accommodated by moving the device from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 7 , Figure 7 the position shown in Figure 7 is suitable for not impeding subsequent animals, and the operator can also transition the device from the position shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 .

[0028] It should be understood that while the application has been described and illustrated with respect to certain forms thereof, it is not to be limited to those described since modifications in the form and details thereof, as well as to equivalents thereof, will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Claims

1. A device for assisting the forward movement of livestock, the device comprising: (a) A livestock lane, the livestock lane comprising a lane frame and opposing sidewalls mounted to the lane frame, the sidewalls defining a passageway for livestock to pass through, the passageway extending in a forward direction from an entrance for receiving livestock into the livestock lane to an exit for livestock to exit the livestock lane, the passageway being narrow enough to allow livestock to move in a single file. (b) A pivoting structure comprising a pivot shaft and an actuator arm, the pivot shaft being rotatably mounted to an upper longitudinal member of the roadway frame of the livestock roadway for rotation about a first axis normal to the sidewall of the livestock roadway, the actuator arm being fixed to the pivot shaft and extending away from the pivot shaft having a distal end. (c) An actuator connected between the livestock runway and the pivoting structure, and the actuator being capable of rotating the pivoting structure between a first pivoting structure position and a second pivoting structure position. (d) An arm assembly having a first proximal end and a second distal end, the arm assembly being pivotally mounted at the first proximal end of the arm assembly to a pivot arm of the pivot structure, the pivot arm having a proximal end fixed to the pivot axis and a distal end extending away from the pivot axis, the arm assembly further comprising an outer tube, a height selector arm, and a paddle attachment, the lower end of the outer tube being pivotally mounted to the distal end of the pivot arm for rotation about a second axis spaced apart from and parallel to the first axis, the outer tube being biased such that the upper end of the outer tube is at least indirectly in contact with the pivot arm, the outer tube also being capable of rotating in response to pressure applied against the bias. The upper end of the outer tube is spaced apart from the pivot arm. The outer tube slidably receives the height selector arm, which extends from the lower end of the outer tube and has a proximal end received by the outer tube and a distal end extending away from the outer tube. The height selector arm is arranged to slide freely relative to the outer tube between a first lower limit position and a second upper limit position. The paddle-shaped attachment is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the height selector arm and has a portion adapted to apply pressure to the hindquarters of livestock. The arm assembly is independently operated and moved by an operator capable of independently controlling the extension and retraction of the actuator. The device for assisting the forward movement of livestock is independently controllable by an operator and can be moved to multiple positions by controlled extension and retraction of the actuator, including: (i) a first position in which the actuator is in a first fully retracted position, the pivot structure is in the first pivot structure position, and the arm assembly is raised and guided toward the entrance of the livestock lane, wherein the upper end of the outer tube of the arm assembly is at least indirectly connected to the actuator arm in response to bias of the outer tube toward the actuator arm. (ii) Second position, in which the actuator extends from the first fully retracted position to the second fully extended position, such that the arm assembly pivots away from the entrance of the livestock lane and toward the exit of the livestock lane, and such that the paddle attachment can contact the hindquarters of a first livestock animal standing below the device to propel the first livestock animal forward toward the exit of the livestock lane, and the upper end of the outer tube of the arm assembly is at least indirectly in contact with the actuator arm; (iii) Third position, in which... The actuator is in the second fully extended position and the pivoting structure is in the second pivoting position, such that the arm assembly is fully raised and guided toward the exit of the livestock lane, and the upper end of the outer tube of the arm assembly is at least indirectly in contact with the actuator arm; and (iv) a fourth position, in which, when the second livestock is below the arm assembly, the actuator retracts from the second fully extended position to the first fully retracted position, such that the paddle attachment contacts the back of the second livestock, and in the While the arm assembly rotates about the second axis to overcome the bias, the paddle attachment rotates to achieve smooth contact and passage along the back of the livestock until the paddle attachment can land behind the livestock, allowing the actuator to extend and contact the paddle attachment with the hindquarters of the second livestock to propel the second livestock forward toward the exit. Thus, the operator can operate the device to assist the livestock in moving forward between the multiple positions, thereby propelling multiple livestock forward sequentially through the livestock lane.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The outer tube also has opposing slots, and the height selector arm has a plurality of spaced-apart opposing holes, allowing the height selector arm retaining bolts to be installed through selected pairs of opposing holes in the height selector arm and through opposing slots in the outer tube, thereby enabling the height selector arm to move between a first retracted position and a second extended position, such that the height of the second extended position of the height selector arm is selected by the selection of opposing holes in the height selector arm retaining bolts.

Images