Compact Folding Animal Restraining Equipment

Abstract

Animal restraining equipment comprising pivoting posts (1-3) that allow the equipment to fold compactly against a wall and to anchor into the ground. The equipment may comprise a series of tubular posts and rails connected to form a parallel linkage mechanism (1-9). Internal dropdown posts may be provided. The equipment may comprise an animal head restraint attached to pivoting posts.

Description

Drawings 22 20 23 21 Figure 5 13 18 Figure 8 Compact Folding Animal Restraining Equipment This invention relates to equipment for restraining animals that is compact and foldable. Background to the Invention When handling animals such as cattle, it is often necessary to restrain the animals in specially designed equipment to ensure safety to the animal and handler. However, typical animal restraining equipment is large in size and permanently fixed in place. This equipment is also usually installed outdoors as there is insufficient space within the animal housing area to accommodate it. As such, animal handling equipment is installed outdoors, forcing farmers and handlers to work outdoors in undesirable weather conditions. This often leads to unnecessary safety hazards, stress, and accidents to both animals and handlers. To alleviate these problems, the present invention proposes a compact, folding animal restraining solution, which is intended for use inside (but may also be used outside) animal housing facilities. Summary of the Invention The invention comprises of a series of vertical and horizontal tubular posts and rails connected to form a parallel linkage mechanism. The posts are supported by means of pivoting horizontal cross members which are connected to the building wall. Said parallel configuration enables the entire unit to fold flat against the wall when not in use. The equipment is anchored to the building floor by means of drop-down posts, located internally within the main vertical pivoting posts. These anchoring posts are engaged into the building floor to stabilise the restraining equipment when in use. The horizontal side rails pass through the centre of the vertical tubular posts adding strength and stability to the structure, while simultaneously reducing the footprint of the structure when in the folded position. The headgate comprises of a pivoting head locking mechanism, and latching mechanism, operated manually, automatically, or by other means, allowing the animal to safely enter and exit the restraining headgate. The headgate is a fundamental component to secure the animal, ensuring safety for both the animals and the handler. The headgate forms an integral part of the parallel mechanism. The headgate locking mechanism consists of two pivoting vertical members, connected mechanically using a wire rope, chain, gear or other method. Additional bracing components may be used to support the headgate and stabilise the equipment further when in use. The equipment may be folded manually, automatically or by other means. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the restraining equipment in the operational configuration. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the restraining equipment in the folded configuration. Figure 3 is a front view of the restraining equipment in the operational configuration. Figure 4 is a front view of the restraining equipment in the folded configuration. Figure 5 is a plan view of the restraining equipment in the Operational configuration. Figure 6 is a plan view of the restraining equipment in the folded configuration. Figure 7 is a detailed section view of the headgate in the operational configuration. Figure 8 is front view of the headgate in the operational configuration. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the equipment in the operational configuration, with an animal restrained in the headgate. An animal restraining equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. A configuration of vertical tubular posts 1-4 are connected by means of horizontal tubular rails 5, front and rear pivoting cross members 6,7,8,9, and headgate (as shown in Figures 3 &8), to form a parallel linkage arrangement, enabling the equipment to pivot and fold flat. The equipment is preferably mounted to a building wall and or structural members 20,22,23 as illustrated in the drawings. The horizontal tubular rails 5, pass through the vertical tubular posts 1,2,3, and are fixed by means of a mechanical fastener 19, enabling the equipment to be easily transported and assembled or disassembled onsite. The headgate is comprising of adjustable vertical members 12, connected to tubular couplings 10, which pivot about the centre axis of the vertical posts 3,4. To restrain an animal, a latching arrangement 13, is positioned above the headgate vertical members 12, securing the animal. The latching arrangement is released by means of a mechanical linkage 15. The vertical members 12, are connected mechanically by means of a wire rope, chain, sprocket, or other method 13. This configuration is required to allow the equipment to fold flat against the wall when in the folded configuration. This addition results in a considerably more compact solution to that which is conventional in the art. A rear gate, anti-backing bar, head scoop or other addition, may be added to restrain the animal within the equipment, preventing unwanted movement, reversing, or exiting from the rear. The rear gate, anti-backing bar and head scoop have been omitted from the drawings, to aid clarity, but are conventional in the art. It is envisaged a diagonal bracing member 26, may be used to provide additional support to the head gate. Said bracing member may be orientated between the building wall and the top of the headgate, temporarily when in use, and quickly dismantled when not in use. Mounting plates 24,25, and mechanical pins or fasteners will be used to secure the brace when in use. The equipment is anchored to the building floor 21, by means of drop-down posts 17, located internally within vertical posts 1,2,3, and operated manually using a handle 16, or by other means, as illustrated in the drawings. The anchors are inserted into corresponding aligning holes within the building floor 18. It is envisaged that a latch mechanism may be used to secure the drop down posts 16,17 to prevent unwanted release when in use. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Animal restraining equipment comprising pivoting posts that allow the equipment to fold compactly against a wall when not in use, and to anchor into the ground when in use.

2. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which the equipment comprises a series of tubular posts and rails connected to form a parallel linkage mechanism.

3. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which anchoring is achieved by means of internal drop-down posts, that engage into the building floor to stabilise the equipment.

4. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which the animal head restraint is attached to the pivoting posts forming an integral part of the parallel linkage mechanisms as described in claim 2.

5. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which the animal head restraint as described in claim 4 is achieved by means of an latching mechanism, which can be manually or automatically operated.

6. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which the equipment is supported primarily by pivoting horizontal cross beams connected to the building wall.

7. Animal restraining equipment according to claim 1, in which the horizontal tubular rails pass through the centre axis of the vertical tubular posts providing added strength and stability to the equipment.

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