Portable livestock handling apparatus with foldable force tub with self-supporting self-securing character in stowage

Abstract

A livestock handling apparatus has a chassis, and a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation thereto that is composed at least partially of arc- shaped tub wall panels. A set of one or more swing-out support frames of lesser quantity than the tub wall panels are usable in field positions thereto to support the collectively formed tub wall, and usable in transport positions to at least contribute to securement and / or support of the stowed tub wall panels, reducing or eliminating need for conventional strapped panel securement in transport. Identical pins used to connect the support frame(s) to the tub wall panels in field use also function to secure both the support frames and the tub wall panels for stowed transport. Elevated support spokes for additional bracing of the deployed tub wall, without accompanying ground level tripping hazards, are stored on one of the swing-out support frames during transport.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE LIVESTOCK HANDLING APPARATUS WITH FOLDABLE FORCE TUB WITH SELF-SUPPORTING SELF-SECURING CHARACTER IN STOWAGE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to livestock handling equipment, and more particularly to portable livestock handling apparatuses including collapsible force tubs by which a footprint of the apparatus is reduceable for road transport.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In the field of livestock handling equipment, is known to provide a portable apparatus having a wheeled chassis that is towable by a vehicle and has carried thereon a force tub (also known as a crowding tub), an alleyway leading out from the force tub at an exit thereof, and optionally a squeeze chute into which the alleyway leads from the force tub. Each of these functionally different subsystems of the apparatus occupies a respective section of the chassis between longitudinally opposing front and rear ends thereof, one of which is equipped with a pull tongue or gooseneck for connection to the hitch of a pickup truck or other suitably equipped tow vehicle. To reduce the width of the apparatus for road travel, it has been proposed to design the force tub in a collapsible manner of some type.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 7,174,853 discloses an example in which the force tub is erected from a plurality of discrete wall panels that are completely disassembled from one another to collapse the apparatus into road transport mode. In this design, the force tub is erected beneath a gooseneck at the front end of the chassis from which the apparatus is towed in road transport mode.

[0007] Applicant’s early portable cattle alley and tub units employed a foldable tub at a rearmost section of the chassis opposite the vehicle-towed front end, in which arc-shaped tub wall panels were each individually hinged to the rearmost chassis section for swinging movement about respective uprights axes. While this folding solution provided sufficient width reduction for road travel, it required a relatively long rearmost chassis section of fixed length spanning the entire diameter of the deployed force tub. The unit thus possessed a notable overall length that remained the same in both road transport mode and field mode.

[0008] Titan West Inc. implemented a portable tub and alley apparatus in which the tub is composed of three arc-shaped tub wall panels, of which one is hinged to the a rearmost section of the chassis at a front corner thereof, and the two others are individually hinged to a respective two of three different swing-out support frames, a third panel-less one of which extends rearwardly from the chassis when swung out to its deployed field position. When all three support frames are swung out to their field positions, the two tub wall panels carried in hinge fashion by two of the support frames are swung into deployed working positions spanning between adjacent pairs of the three support frames, and the chassis-hinged tub wall panel is swung out to connect to the nearest support frame.

[0009] In one of Applicant’s more recent designs, the subject of U.S. Patent No. 1 1 ,129,355, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, the arc-shaped tub wall panels were instead hingedly interconnected to one another, and thereby foldable together into a bundled panel pack, among which one of these hingedly interconnected tub wall panels was also hinged to the chassis, so that the bundled panel pack could then be folded into stowed relation to a rearmost chassis section of the framework, of which this rearmost chassis section was of longer character at one side than the other to accommodate the bundled panel pack This enabled reduction of the chassis length in transport, achieved by way of an extendable / retractable slide-out chassis extension, by which the rear end of the chassis could be extended to connect to one panel of the deployed tub wall during setup for field use. Elevated support spokes were included to connect to the other panels of the deployed tub wall in radiating relation outward from a framework header above the asymmetric rear chassis section, whereby the deployed tub wall was cooperatively held in place by the slide-out chassis extension and the radiating spokes.

[0010] While a notable improvement over the prior art of the time, Applicant has continued to improve the design of its product lines, including further development and redesign of Applicant’s portable alley and tub products, improved and inventive aspects of which are the subject of the present application.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a swing-out support frame of a type that comprises a top bar, a bottom bar and an upright post spanning therebetween at a distal end of the swing-out support frame of opposing relation to a proximal end thereof that is pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement of the swing-out support frame about an upright swing axis between a transport position folded up with the chassis and a field position swung outward from the transport position and spanning rearwardly from the chassis for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; wherein at least a plural subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels are hingedly interconnected tub wall panels pivotally coupled end-to-end with one another, independently of the swing-out support frame, such that any adjacent two of said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are pivotal relative to one another about a respective hinge axis between folded state residing alongside one another and an unfolded state forming arcuate extensions of one another, and the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, with each of said any adjacent two in their folded state, are collectively stowable as a bundled panel pack folded up and stowed in said secured relation to the chassis.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a tub wall support carried by the chassis and selectively movable between a transport position, and a field position of greater outward reach from the chassis than said transport position for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span, when formed by deployment of the arc-shaped tub wall panels, at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; wherein: at least a subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels are stowable in secured relation to the chassis in a position in which the transport position of the tub wall support is operable to provide or contribute to at least one of either support or securement of said subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels in stowed relation to the rearmost section of the chassis; and said subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels includes at least one tub wall panel of non-hinged relationship to said tub wall support.

[0014] In one embodiment, all of the arc-shaped tub wall panels are of said nonhinged relationship to said tub wall support.

[0015] In another embodiment, one of the arc-shaped tub wall panels is hinged to the tub wall support.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; a tub wall support carried by the chassis and selectively movable between a transport position, and a field position of greater outward reach from the chassis than said transport position for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span, when formed by deployment of the arc-shaped tub wall panels, at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; and a set of securement pins that are both: installable in a tub deployment mode in which said securement pins are engaged with the tub wall support and one of the arc-shaped tub walls, in the extended and working positions thereof, respectively, to establish a connection therebetween for support of the collective arcuate tub wall span; and also installable in a tub stowage mode in which said securement pins instead serve to secure both the tub wall support and at least a subset of the arc-shaped tub wall panels in stowed relation to the chassis.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a swing-out support frame of a type that comprises a top bar, a bottom bar and an upright post spanning therebetween at a distal end of the swing-out support frame of opposing relation to a proximal end thereof that is pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement of the swing-out support frame about an upright swing axis between a transport position folded up with the chassis and a field position swung outward from the transport position and spanning rearwardly from the chassis for connection with one of the plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels the working position thereof; a set of one or more elevated support spokes carried on the swing-out support frame, and each movable relative thereto between a storage position running along the top bar of the swing-out support frame and a bracing position radiating outwardly therefrom for connection of a distal end of the spoke to the collective arcuate tub wall span at a discrete position therealong from where the swing-out support frame connects thereto at said one of the plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a top rear perspective view of a prior art portable livestock handling apparatus from Applicant’s aforementioned US patent, shown with a foldable force tube thereof in a folded and stowed transport state.

[0021] Figure 2 is a partial top rear perspective view of the prior art portable livestock handling apparatus of Figure 1 from an opposing side, in a fully unfolded and deployed field state ready for use.

[0022] Figure 3 is a top rear perspective view of a foldable force tub of a livestock handling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in the fully unfolded and deployed field state thereof.

[0023] Figure 4 is a top rear perspective view of the force tub of Figure 3 from a same side thereof, but in the folded and stowed transport state.

[0024] Figure 5 is another top rear perspective view of the folded and stowed force tub of Figure 4, but from an opposing side thereof.

[0025] Figure 6 is a top side perspective view of the folded and stowed force tub of Figure 4 from the same side thereof, illustrating capture of folded tub wall panels

[0026] Figures 7A and 7B are top front and top rear perspective views of the force tub of Figures 3 to 6 in the transport and field states thereof respectively, showing use of a same pair of securement pins to secure the tub in each such state.

[0027] Figure 8 is a top rear perspective view of a foldable force tub of a livestock handling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in the fully unfolded and deployed field state thereof.

[0028] Figure 9 is partial top front perspective view of the foldable force tub of Figure 8, but with movable barrier and closure panels thereof positioned differently to better reveal a front entrance area of the tub.

[0029] Figure 10 is a top front perspective view of the foldable force tub of Figure 8, but in the folded and stowed transport state thereof.

[0030] Figures 11 A through 11 F illustrate sequential steps of deployment of the foldable force tub of Figures 8 to 10 from the folded and stowed transport state thereof to the fully unfolded and deployed field state thereof.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the interest of setting further context for the present invention, Figures 1 and 2 show a portable livestock handling apparatus 10 from Applicant’s aforementioned US patent, which, like the present invention, features a foldable force tub 12 that folds into a compactly stowed state for road transport, and unfolds from such compacted condition into a deployed state for field use. In the illustrated example, the foldable tub 12 is one of three different functional stations of the overall apparatus 10, and thus is accompanied by a neighbouring alleyway 14 through which livestock (e.g. cattle) depart the force tub 12, and a subsequent squeeze chute 16 installed at the opposing end of the alleyway 14, into which the livestock are admissible from the alleyway on a singulated basis. In a known manner, a head gate 44 and movable side panels 46 of the squeeze chute 16 are operable to hold the individually admitted animal in the squeeze chute 16 for inspection and or treatment purposes. All three stations 12, 14, 16 are carried on a shared chassis 20 having a longitudinal direction in which the stations are arranged in series between opposing front and rear ends 20A, 20B of the chassis that are horizontally spaced apart in this longitudinal direction, in which the wheeled chassis 20 is towed during transport. However, it will be appreciated that the foldable force tub 12, like those of the present invention, may similarly be installed on the chassis of a portable livestock handling apparatus regardless of the particular number and type of additional functional stations 14, 16 that are included or omitted. One alternative setup may, for example, optionally omit the squeeze chute 16 at the tub-opposing end of the alleyway 14.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the front end 20A of the chassis 20 refers to the end thereof from which the apparatus 10 is towed, for example via a pull tongue 22 that is removably attached to a cross-member of the chassis that resides at this front end 20A of the chassis and perpendicularly interconnects first and second longitudinal beams 24, 26 of the chassis. The longitudinally opposing rear end 20B of the chassis thus trails the front end 20A during road transport of the apparatus. The longitudinal chassis beams 24, 26 lie in the longitudinal direction in which the front and rear end of the chassis are separated, and respectively define laterally opposing sides of the chassis 20 and overall apparatus 10. The chassis 20 in the illustrated embodiment is considered to have three distinct sections, each hosting a respective one of the three different functional stations 12, 14, 16 mentioned above. A rearmost section 28 of the chassis adjacent the rear end 20B thereof carries the foldable force tub 12, a frontmost section 30 of the chassis adjacent the front end 20A thereof carries the squeeze chute 16, and an intermediate section 32 of the chassis situated longitudinally between the rearmost and frontmost sections 24, 26 carries the alleyway 14 that interconnects the foldable force tub 12 and squeeze chute 16.

[0034] The boundary between the rearmost section 28 and the intermediate section 32 is denoted by a framed opening 34 that defines an exit of the force tub 12, and thus also defines an entrance of the alleyway 14. A slide gate 36 is installed at this opening 34 to enable controlled admission of livestock from the force tub 12 to the alleyway 14. Likewise, the boundary between the intermediate section 32 and the frontmost section 30 is denoted by another framed opening 38 that defines an exit of the alleyway 14, and thus also defines an entrance of the squeeze chute 16. Another slide gate 40 is installed at this opening 38 to enable controlled admission of livestock on an individual basis from the alleyway 14 to the squeeze chute 16. A third and final framed opening 42 resides at the front end 20A of the chassis 20 and denotes an exit of the squeeze chute 16 from which livestock depart the overall apparatus 10. This final exit opening 42 is equipped with an openable / closeable head gate 44 used in securing of the animal in an accessible position with their head outside the squeeze chute and the trailing remainder of their body still inside the chute, where the animal’s body is held stationary by movable side walls 46 of the squeeze chute.

[0035] The first longitudinal chassis beam 24 is shorter than the second longitudinal chassis beam 26, and so it is the longer second longitudinal chassis beam 26 that defines the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis 20 at a corresponding rear end of the chassis’ rearmost section 28. The first longitudinal chassis beam 24 terminates well short of the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis, instead terminating at a short distance past the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance at the front end of the chassis’ rearmost section 28. In addition to the chassis 20, a structural framework of the apparatus for supporting moving functional componentry of the three stations also features a header having first and second longitudinal header beams 62, 64 that reside in respective elevated relation over the longitudinal chassis beams 24, 26, and are supported thereover by upright support posts mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals along the longitudinal chassis beams 24, 26. The longitudinal header beams 62, 64 are of non- equal length to one another, instead each being equal, or substantially similar, in length to the respective underlying one of the longitudinal chassis beams 24, 26. The first longitudinal header beam 62 is thus shorter than the second longitudinal header beam 64, and terminates a short distance rearward of the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance. Meanwhile, the second longitudinal header beam 64 extends fully to the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis, which thus corresponds to a terminal rear end of the overall apparatus as a whole, when in the collapsed road transport mode shown in Figure 1 .

[0036] At the rearmost section 28, the structural framework further includes a bracing header beam 66 that angles obliquely from a rear end of the shorter first longitudinal header beam 62, and connects the longer second longitudinal header beam 64 near the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis. Unlike the header of the structural framework, the chassis 20 lacks such an obliquely angled brace, whereby the rearmost chassis section 28 features only an elongated rear segment 26A of the second longitudinal chassis beam 26, and the dramatically shorter stub-like rear segment 24A of the first longitudinal chassis beam 24. Accordingly, the rearmost section 28 is shorter at one side thereof that at the other, so that when the foldable force tub 12 is folded up and stowed for transport, it is tucked into the asymmetric rearmost section 28 of the chassis in laterally neighbouring relationship beside the longer chassis beam 26 along an inner side thereof, and in trailing relationship behind the shorter chassis beam 24 that terminates at or near a front corner of the rearmost chassis section 28. In addition to accommodating such tucked stowage of the folded tub 12 (Figure 1 ), the minimalist chassis structure at the asymmetric rearmost section 28 thereof minimizes ground level componentry that might otherwise form tripping hazards within the interior space of the force tub 12 when unfolded and deployed for field use (Figure 2).

[0037] A center post 68 of the force tub 12 stands vertically upright from the second longitudinal chassis beam 26 at or closely adjacent the rear end 20B of the chassis. A movable barrier panel 70 of the force tub has a proximal end post 70A thereof journaled to the center post 68 for swinging movement of the barrier panel 70 around the center post 68 when the force tub 12 is fully deployed. In transport mode, this barrier panel 70 is secured in a transport position spanning forwardly from the center post 68 along the inside of the longer chassis beam 26 toward the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance. In transport mode, an additional closure panel 72 is stowed in secured fashion alongside the movable barrier panel 70 in a position overtop this same rear segment 26A of the longer second chassis beam 26.

[0038] In the illustrated example, where the force tub 12 is of a front-loadable type where livestock are admittable into the tub adjacent the tub-exit I alleywayentrance at the front end of the force tub 12, the closure panel 72 is a movable gate panel having a supported end post 72A thereof hinged to a cooperating support post 74. This support post 74 stands vertically upright between the second longitudinal chassis beam 26 and the second longitudinal header beam 64 at a position in front of the center post 68 and in close adjacency and parallel relation thereto. In the transport position of the closure panel 72, an opposing end post 72B thereof is latched or otherwise secured to an upright frame post 76 that likewise spans upright between the second longitudinal chassis and header beams 26, 64 at or near the front end of the rear chassis section 28 at one side of the tub exit I alleyway entrance. When the force tub 12 is fully deployed and ready for field use, this free end 72B of the closure panel 72 is released from the frame post 76 and swung laterally outward from the longer second side of the chassis 20 to enable admission of livestock into the force tub at this second side of the apparatus through a front entrance area delimited vertically between the second longitudinal chassis and header beams 26, 64 and horizontally between the support and frame posts 74, 76. The deployed tub 12 is alternatively rear loadable in more conventional fashion, with admission of livestock instead being performed at a more rearward entrance area delimited between the center post 68 and the distal end post 58C of the deployed third wall panel.

[0039] The prior art tub 12 of Figures 1 and 2 has three hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 that, when deployed, form a collective arcuate tub wall span of the tub. Each wall panel features a respective upright proximal end post 56A, 56B, 56C at its proximal end, a respective upright distal end post 58A, 58B, 58C at its distal end, and a series of curved horizontal rails 60 and a bottom cladding panel 61 that both between the two end posts to form a wall barrier through which livestock cannot pass. The cladding panel 61 serves to obstruct animal visibility through this barrier over a partial or full height thereof, depending on the selected height of cladding installed over an entirety or subset of the curved horizontal rails 60. Proximal end post 56A of the first tub wall panel 50 is hinged to the chassis for swinging movement relative thereto about an upright axis at the terminal rear end of chassis beam 24 at a front corner of the short side of the rearmost chassis section 28. Proximal end post 56B of second tub wall panel 52 is likewise hinged to distal end post 58A of first tub wall panel 50, and proximal end post 56C of third tub wall panel 54 is likewise hinged to distal end post 58B of second tub wall panel 52. The three tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 are foldable up alongside one another into a bundled panel pack for stowage and transport, in which bundled panel pack the two concave sides of first and second tub wall panels 50, 52 face toward one another, with the third tub wall panel 54 situated therebetween, with the concave and convex sides of the third tub wall panel 54 respectively facing the second tub panel’s concave side and the first tub panel’s convex side. The bundled panel pack is swingable about the first tub wall panel’s hinged connection to the chassis into and out of the stowed transportation position tucked in behind the shorter side of the rearmost chassis section 28 in adjacency to the opposing longer side thereof, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0040] When swung out from this stowed transport position of Figure 1 , the bundled panel pack can then be unfolded to a deployed state in which the three hingedly interconnected tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 form end-to-end arcuate extensions one of one another to form a collective arcuate tub wall curving laterally outward and rearward from the rear end of the shorter chassis beam 24 to a point generally straight laterally across from the center post 68, and then continuing on the same arcuate curvature rearwardly but laterally inwardly to a point situated straight rearwardly inline from the center post 68. Here, referring to the setup field mode of Figure 2, a slide out chassis extension 80 runs from the rear end of the longer chassis beam 26 and connects to the distal end post 58C of the third tub wall panel 54, and a set of three elevated support spokes 84A, 84B, 84C are setup in bracing positions radiating outward from a spoke hub 82 atop the center post 68 to the top end of the distal end post 58A of first tub wall panel 50, the top end of the distal end post 58B of the second tub wall panel 52, and the top end of the distal end post 58C of the third tub wall 54, respectively. The long side of the rearmost chassis section 28 and the deployed tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 thus cooperatively form a 180-degree force tub 12, whose collective arcuate tub wall span is supported by the slide-out extension 80 and the three radial spokes 84A-84C. In transport mode, the three spokes 84A-84C are stowed on the header of the framework, with two spokes 84A, 84B stowed alongside the angled brace 66 of the header and the third spoke 84C stowed alongside the rear segment 64A of the longer header beam 64.

[0041] While not reproduced herein, Figures 11 A & 1 1 B of Applicant’s aforementioned US patent illustrated a larger variant with a fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel added to the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels to increase the collective arcuate tub wall span beyond 180-degrees, and with a supplemental wall panel hinged to the long side of the chassis 20 across from the hinged connection of the first arcshaped tub wall panel 50 thereto to create an extra sector-shaped auxiliary space inside the tub between the tub exit and the front entrance of the tub. In this prior design, the fourth tub wall panel folded up for transport between the second and third tub wall panels, and the supplemental wall panel folded up along an exterior side of the rearmost chassis section.

[0042] Having summarized applicant’s prior design for context and background as the closest prior art known to Applicant, improved redesign of the foldable force tub 12 at the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20 is the main focus of the present invention, and so the several of the figures illustrating the present invention show only the rearmost chassis section 28 and the foldable force tub installed thereat, and omit the remainder of the overall livestock handling apparatus in which such tub is embodied, which overall livestock handling apparatus may, as one non-limiting example, resemble that of the prior art shown in Figures 1 and 2, where the force tub exit leads into a neighbouring alleyway section, and optionally onward into a neighbouring squeeze section, details of which are not elaborated on herein.

[0043] Figures 3 to 7B illustrate a foldable force tub 12’ according to a first embodiment of the present invention, installed on the rearmost section 28 of a chassis 20 and associated framework of a mobile livestock handling apparatus 10’, which may of identical or similar relation to those already described above with reference to figures 1 and 2, in view of which the chassis and framework are not illustrated in full in these figures. Instead, the chassis and framework are partially represented by visible presence of a rear segment 26A of the longer chassis beam 26, matching rear segment 64A of the longer header beam 64 of the framework, shorter rear segment 24A of the shorter chassis beam 24, a first upright frame post 76 of the framework that stands upright from the longer chassis beam 26 to the overlying longer header beams 64 at one corner of the front end of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis and thereby frames one side of a tub exit 90 of the deployed force tub, a second upright frame post 78 that likewise stands upright from the shorter chassis beam 24 at the other corner of the front end of the rearmost section 28 and thereby frames the other side of the tub exit 90, and the bracing header beam 66 that angles obliquely from the top end of this upright frame post 78 and connects to the longer second longitudinal header beam 64 near a terminal rear end thereof that overlies the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis, where center post 68 of the force tub stand upright in vertically connected relation between the longer chassis and header beams 26, 64. As described above for the prior art of Figures 1 and 2, the tub exit 90 typically doubles as entrance to a neighbouring alleyway of the apparatus, and thus may be interchangeably referred to herein as the tub exit, alleyway entrance, or combination thereof. These and other chassis and framework components may be of similar or identical arrangement to those of the prior art disclosed in Applicant’s aforementioned US patent, as partially reproduced herein in Figures 1 and 2.

[0044] The tub 12’ of the first embodiment features three hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 of the same above described construction and end-to-end hinged relationship to one another as the prior art of Figures 1 and 2, whereby of any two adjacent of these arc-shaped three tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 are pivotable relative to one another about a respective upright hinge axis AHI, AH2, as defined by the hinged coupling of the proximal end post 56B, 56C of one tub wall 52, 54 panel to the distal end post 58A, 58B of the adjacent tub wall panel 50, 52. Any adjacent two of the hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 are thus pivotal about the respective hinge axis AHI , AH2, between a folded state residing alongside one another with their concave sides facing together, and an unfolded state forming arcuate extensions of one another. With all three tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in their folded state, they form a bundled panel pack of the same type described above for the prior art of Figures 1 and 2, and the entirety of the bundled panel pack is pivotable relative to the chassis 20 and framework of the apparatus 10’ about another upright hinge axis AHS , as defined by a hinged coupling of the first tub wall panel 50 to the chassis 20 at or adjacent the rear end of the shorter chassis beam 24, i.e. at the front corner of the shorter side of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis, adjacent the respective framing post 78 of the tub exit 90. This first tub wall panel 50 is the only chassis-supported tub wall panel of the three tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, being the only one thereof having one of its ends directly hinged to the chassis 20 and associated framework.

[0045] Just like in the illustrated prior art, the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 is thus stowable in folded and tucked relation at the rearmost section 28 of the chassis, at which the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 sits internally alongside the longer chassis beam 26, behind the shorter chassis beam 24, and beneath the bracing header beam 66, as shown in Figures 4 to 6. By unfolding the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in the manner described in Applicant’s aforementioned US patent, the tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 are movable into their cooperatively deployed working positions shown in Figure 3 where they reside end-to-end with one another forming a collective arcuate tub wall span on a shared arcuate path curving initially laterally outward and rearward from frame post 78, and then continuing laterally inward and further rearward to a point nearly in-line with the longer chassis beam 26 of the chassis at a distance spaced rearwardly from the terminal rear end 20B thereof, where the slidable chassis extension 80 of the prior art would have been connected to the distal end post 58C of the third tub wall panel 54. It is there that the present invention possesses a first notable distinction from the prior art of Figures 1 and 2.

[0046] Instead of a slide-out chassis extension for connecting to the collective arcuate tub wall span, the present invention instead features a rectangular swing-out support frame 100 composed of a horizontal bottom bar 102, a horizontal top bar 104 of parallel relation the bottom bar in spaced and aligned elevation thereover, and a vertical end post 106 perpendicularly interconnecting the bottom and top bars 102, 104 at distal ends thereof situated opposite of proximal ends thereof that are instead pivotally coupled to the longer chassis and header beams 26, 64 at or adjacent the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis. In the illustrated example, this pivotal coupling is embodied by pinned connection of the proximal end of the bottom bar 102 to a lower pivot bracket 108A affixed to the longer chassis beam 26 near the terminal rear end 20B thereof in a position cantilevered off an inner side thereof, and a corresponding pinned connection of the top bar 104 to an upper pivot bracket 108B likewise affixed to the longer header beam 64 near the terminal rear end thereof in a position likewise cantilevered off an inner side thereof directly overhead of the lower pivot bracket 108A.

[0047] Through this pivotal coupling to the chassis 20 and overlying header, the swing-out support frame 100 is swingable horizontally about a vertically upright swing axis As of proximate and parallel, but somewhat offset, relation to an upright central tub axis AT denoted by the center post 68 of the tub that stands upright between the longer chassis and header beams 26, 64 at or adjacent the terminal rear ends thereof. About this upright swing axis As, the swing-out support frame 100 is swingable between a field position spanning longitudinally rearward from the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis for connection to the third arc-shaped tub wall 54 when deployed (Figure 3), and a transport position instead angling obliquely forward from its pivotal coupling to the header and chassis toward the frame post 78 at the opposing side of the rearmost chassis section 28, in generally parallel relation to the likewise obliquely angled bracing header beam 66. In this transport position, the swing-out support frame 100, whose field position is used to help maintain the deployed positions of the arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 serves another functional purpose, namely to maintain the folded and stowed positions of those same tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in the bundled panel pack at the asymmetric rear section 28 of the chassis 20.

[0048] In illustration of this panel pack retention purpose of the swing-out support frame 100 in the transport position, reference is made to Figure 6, where bottom ends of the distal end post 58A of first tub wall panel 50 and the distal end post 58C of third tub wall panel 54 can be seen to reside in confined relationship between the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 and the longer chassis beam 26 of the rear chassis section 28, at locations proximate the rear end 20B of the chassis, adjacent to which the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 and the longer chassis beam 26 nearly converge at the swing-out support frame’s pivotal coupling to the chassis 20 and header. By pinned connection or otherwise secured retention of the swing-out support frame 100 to the framework in this transport position, the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 is thus locked in a position spanning across the distal end posts 58A, 58C of the first and third arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 54 in a position obstructing the distal ends of those two panels 50, 54 from swinging further outward from the longer chassis beam 26. Since the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 is hingedly connected between the first and third arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 54, it is likewise obstructed from such outward swinging further away from the longer chassis beam 26. The distal end posts 58A, 58B, 58C of the three arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in the illustrated embodiment are fitted with enlarged ground feet 1 10 at the bottom ends thereof, are taller than the proximal end posts 56A, 56B, 56C of the three arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, and have their bottom ends situated at lower elevation than those of the proximal end posts, whereby the distal end posts 58A, 58B, 58C serve as ground support legs of the three arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54. It is by these ground support legs by which these arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 stand atop the ground when unfolded and deployed to form an operational force tub 12’ in the useful field mode of the apparatus 10’. In the illustrated embodiment, it is specifically the foot-equipped distal end posts 58A, 58C that are obstructed by the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 in the transport position thereof to retain the stowed position of the bundled panel pack.

[0049] In illustrated embodiment, the swing-out support frame 100 serves even further purpose in the transport position thereof, to not only block the bundled panel pack from swinging out of its stowed position at the rearmost section 28 of the chassis, but to also help bear the weight of the bundled panel pack in this stowed position. For such purpose, distal end post 58C of the third tub wall panel 54 can be seen to have a support bracket 1 12 attached thereto at an outer side thereof that corresponds to the convex outer side of the arc-shaped tub wall panel 54. It is this outer side of the distal end post 58C that, in the stowed state of the bundled panel pack, faces toward the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 when in the transport position thereof spanning across the distal end posts 58A, 58C of the first and third tub walls 50, 54 of the folded and stowed bundled panel pack. This support bracket 1 12 resides at a spaced elevation above the enlarged ground foot 110 of the distal end post 58C, and high enough to reside above the topside of the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100, such that this support bracket 1 12 can rest atop said bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 during transport of the apparatus. This way, the swing-out support frame 100 bears some of the weight of the bundled and stowed panel pack, which would otherwise be mechanically supported only by the hinged connection of the first tub wall panel 50 to the chassis 20 and framework. By using the swing-out support frame 100 to bear some of this panel pack weight at the rearmost end of the stowed bundled panel pack, the panel pack need not be tethered to the header of the framework with straps, as was required for road transport of Applicant’s prior version with the slide-out chassis extension 80. That prior design had no built-in means for bearing some of the weight of stowed bundled panel pack, which was otherwise supported only in cantilevered fashion from its hinged coupling to the chassis 2 and framework. While the illustrated example uses a support bracket 1 12 attached to the distal end post 58C, any other variety of support feature attached to, or integrated into, the distal end post 58C or other part of the bundled panel pack may alternatively be employed to achieve similar weigh-bearing receipt thereof atop the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100.

[0050] In furtherance of the desire to avoid the need for excessive fastening or securement componentry or accessories for stowage of all tub components, the present embodiment provides notable efficiency in terms of componentry, effort and time needed to secure the arc-shaped tub walls 50, 52, 54 in both their deployed and stowed states, by using only a singular pair of securement pins 1 14 for such purpose. Referring to Figure 7B, distal end post 58C of the third tub wall panel 54 has a pair of pin lugs 1 16 thereon that project from an end face of the post that faces away from the proximal end post 56C of the same arc-shaped tub wall panel 54. These pin lugs 1 16 reside at spaced elevations from one another at heights respectively adjacent to a cooperating pair of pin brackets 118 provided on the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100 at a corresponding side thereof that faces the distal end post 58C of the third tub wall panel 54 when the wall panel 54 and the swing-out support frame 100 are both deployed for field use. In such deployed states thereof, the singular pair of securement pins 1 14 are each engaged through one of the pin lugs 116 of the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 and a respective one of the pin brackets 1 18 on the swing-out support frame 100, thus securing the deployed third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 to the deployed support frame 100 in order to hold the distal end of the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 in place in the deployed working position thereof.

[0051] Referring to Figure 7A, where the swing-out support frame 100 is in its transport position and with the arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 have been folded into their bundled state and swung into their stowage position at the rear section 28 of the chassis 20, the same securement pins 1 14 are used at the same pin brackets 1 18 on the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100 to pin the swing-out support frame 100 to another set of pin lugs 120 that are provided on the outer side of the frame post 78 at the front corner of the shorter side of the rearmost chassis section 28. This pinned connection locks the swing-out support frame 100 in its transport position, which in turn secures the bundled panel pack of arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in its stowage position. When folded up together into the bundled panel pack, the tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 may be tethered together, for example using the illustrated tie-up chains 1 19 provided thereon for such purpose, or using other suitable ties similarly provided. Referring again to Figure 3, the present embodiment features two support spokes 84A, 84B for cooperative use with the deployed support frame 100 to hold steady the collective arcuate tub wall span formed by the three hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, denoting a reduction in the quantity of spokes relative to the prior art of Figure 2, owing to the functional replacement of the third support spoke 84C thereof by the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame 100. As before, an outer end of each spoke 84A, 84B engages with a top end of the respective distal end post 58A, 58B of the first or second tub wall panel 50, 52, for example via engagement of a downturned end segment of the spoke in an open top end of the distal end post of the respective arc-shaped tub wall panel. While similar in use to those of the prior art, the spokes 84A, 84B of the present invention are stored differently. An inner end of each spoke 84A, 84B is pivotally pinned to a spoke hub 122 fixed to the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame 100 near the proximal end thereof that is pivotally coupled to the chassis 20 and header. Also affixed to the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame 100, but near the opposing distal end thereof, is a spoke holder 124 that has a pair of holes 126A, 126B therein, each for receiving the downturned end segment of a respective one of the spokes 84A, 84B in a stored position thereof running along the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame 100.

[0052] As with the illustrated prior art, the movable barrier panel 70 of the force tub has a proximal end post 70A thereof journaled to the center post 68 for swinging movement therearound when the force tub is fully deployed, and is secured in a transport position spanning forwardly from the center post 68 along the end segment 26A of the longer chassis beam 26 toward the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance 90. In transport mode, an additional closure panel 72 is once again stowed in secured fashion alongside the movable barrier panel 70 in a position overtop this same rear segment 26A of the longer chassis beam 26. This closure panel 72 again has one end thereof hinged to a cooperating support post 74 that stands vertically upright between the second longitudinal chassis beam 26 and the second longitudinal header beam 64 at a position in front of the center post 68 and in close adjacency and parallel relation thereto. The tub 12’ is usable in the same manner described of the prior art tub 12 of Applicant’s aforementioned US patent, where livestock can be front-loaded into the tub 12’ via a front entrance area 128 that is made accessible by opening of the closure panel 72 and is delimited vertically between the longer longitudinal chassis and header beams 26, 64 and horizontally between the framework posts 74, 76 at this side of the chassis, or rear-loaded into the tub via a rear entrance area 130 that is delimited between the center post 68 and the distal end post 58C of the deployed third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54, through which entry can be gained when such rear entrance area is not closed off with the barrier panel 70.

[0053] In summary of the first embodiment, all three arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 thereof are hingedly interconnected tub walls of hinged relationship to one another, and none of which are hinged to the swing-out support frame 100, which is an only deployable / stowable tub wall support of its type, having a rectangular bow-shaped frame composed of top and bottom horizontal bars 104, 102 interconnected by a vertically upright end post 106, with the only other deployable / stowable tub wall supports being the elevated single-bar support spokes 84A, 84B that serve similar purpose as the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame, but without a matching bottom bar 102, so that the interior of the tub remains free of any ground-level tripping hazards between the rear entrance 130 and the tub exit 90. Aside from the spokes 84A, 84B, only a singular pair of pins 1 14 is required to secure the entire set of arcshaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in their deployed working positions once unfolded, and that same singular pair of pins 1 14 also serves to secure the full set of arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 as a bundled panel pack in a stowed position thereof, in indirect fashion by pinning of the swing-out support frame 100 in a transport position that blocks the stowed bundled panel pack of arc-shaped tub-wall panels from swinging out of its stowage position at the asymmetrical rear chassis section 28 that’s longer on onside side than the other. The swing-out support frame 100 is thus multi-functional, serving both to hold part of the collective arcuate tub wall span in place in field mode, and to support and secure the bundled panel pack of arc-shaped wall panels 50, 52, 54 in transport mode.

[0054] Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the livestock force tub 12” that includes all of the same components described above for the first embodiment, with the addition of a fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 that is hinged to the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100, a supplemental wall panel 134 that is hinged to the chassis 20 and framework at the front end of the longer side of the rearmost section 28 thereof at the side of the tub exit 90 opposite that where the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50 is hinged, and a second swing-out support frame 200 of the same bow-framed type as the first support frame 100, thus having its own horizontal bottom bar 202, horizontal top bar 204 of parallel, elevated and aligned relation to the bottom bar 202, and a vertical end post 206 perpendicularly interconnecting the bottom and top bars 202, 204 at distal ends thereof of opposing relation to proximal ends thereof that are pivotally coupled to the chassis 20 and header at the rearmost section 28 thereof. The second swing-out support frame 200 is pivotally coupled to the rear segments 26A, 64A of the long chassis and header beams 26, 64 on the opposite side thereof from the first support frame 100, for swinging movement of this second swing- out support frame 200 about a second vertically upright swing axis As2 (Figure 9) on an opposite side of the rear chassis section 28 from the first swing-out support frame 100.

[0055] A proximal end post 56D of the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 is hinged to the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100 for swinging movement of this four arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 about a fourth upright hinge axis AH4 (Figure 8) between a folded position of near in-line relation to the swing-out support frame 100 with the opposing distal end post 58D of this panel 132 situated closely adjacent the bottom bar 102 of the swing-out support frame 100 near the proximal end thereof, and an unfolded position arcing laterally outward from the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100 at a side thereof opposite that to which the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 connects in the deployed state of the force tub 12”, such that the unfolded fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 forms an arcuate extension of the third tub wall panel 54 on the opposing side of the deployed support frame 100 to enlarge the collective arcuate tub wall span of the force tub 12”, compared to the smaller three- panel, 180-degree force tub 12’ of the preceding embodiment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the three hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 thus form a first arcuate segment of the overall collective arcuate tub wall span of the force tub 12”, of which the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 forms a second terminal segment thereof, of lesser acruate length than said first segment on the opposing side of the deployed swing-out support frame 100. To hold the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 in its deployed working position, an additional third support spoke 84C is included in this embodiment, a proximal end of which is pivotally pinned to a spoke support 136 affixed to the top bar 104 of the swing-out support frame 100 in a position cantilevered to an opposing side thereof from that at which the spoke hub 122 pivotally supports the other two spokes 84A, 84B that are pinned thereto. The opposing distal end of the third support spoke 84C is again characterized by a downturned end-segment receivable in an open top end of the distal end post 58D of the fourth tub wall panel 132. The third spoke 84C is stored in similar fashion to the other two, in a stored position running along the top bar 104 of the swing- out support frame 100, but on the opposite side thereof, and with the downturned end segment of the spoke received in a third hole 126C of the same spoke holder 124 shared by the other two spokes 84A, 84B.

[0057] Via its hinged connection to the chassis 20 and framework, the supplemental wall panel 134 has a proximal side pivotally supported for swinging movement about a third vertically upright swing axis Ass (Figure 9) adjacent to the upright frame post 76 at the side of the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance 90 across from the hinge axis AHS of the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50. The supplemental wall panel 134 is thus pivotable between a useful position spanning laterally out from the tub-exit I alleyway-entrance 90 at the front end of the rearmost chassis section 28 at the side thereof opposite from where the bundled back of arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 are deployed, and a storage position folded up generally parallel to the longer side of the chassis 20 to reside alongside the similarly stowed and secured positions of the movable barrier and closure panels 70, 72.

[0058] The second swing-out support frame 200 is swingable about its respective swing axis As2 (Figure 9) between a second transport position (referred to as such to distinguish over the transport position of the first swing-out support frame 100) folded up along the longer side of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20 and framework, and a second field position (again in distinction over the field position of the first swing-out support frame 100) swung out from the second transport position by a lesser angular measure that that measured between the transport and field positions of the first swing-out support frame 100. In the second transport position, the second swing-out support frame 200 resides in external relation over the storage position of the supplemental wall panel 134 when likewise folded up alongside the long side of the rear section 28 of the chassis 20, such that the supplemental wall panel 134 is securely sandwiched between the second swing-out support frame 200 and the longer side of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20. In the second field position, the second swing-out support frame 200 angles obliquely forward from its pivotal connection to the chassis 20 near the terminal rear end 20B thereof, at an acutely oblique angle to the longer chassis beam 26, for removably pinned connection to the supplemental wall panel 134 at a distal side thereof of opposing relation to the proximal side thereof that is hinged to the chassis 20 and framework.

[0059] In their respective useful and field positions corresponding to the setup field mode of the livestock handling apparatus 10”, the second swing-out support frame 200 and the supplemental wall panel 134 are pinned together using another pair of securement pins 1 14A like those that are again used to pin the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 to the first support frame 100 in this field mode. For such pinned connection, the second swing-out support frame 200 has another respective pair of pin brackets 1 18A on the upright end post 206 at elevations corresponding to a cooperative additional pair of pin lugs 1 16A provided on a distal post 138 of the supplemental wall panel 134 at the distal side thereof. The second swing-out support frame 200 and the supplemental wall panel 134 are pinned together via engagement of the second pair of securement pins 114A through the aligned pin lugs 1 16A and pin brackets 1 18A, as shown in Figure 9. The same second pair of securement pins 1 14A are also usable to secure the second swing-out support frame 200 and the supplemental wall panel 134 in their respective transport and storage positions, for which a proximal post 140 of the supplemental wall panel 134 at the proximal side thereof has another set of pin lugs 120A that align with the pin brackets 1 18A of the second swing-out support frame 200 when the supplemental wall panel 134 is swung into its storage position in accompaniment to subsequent swinging of the second swing-out support frame 200 into its second transport position over the supplemental wall panel 134. This can be seen in Figure 10, where securement pins 1 14A are engaged through pin brackets 1 18A and pin lugs 120A to secure the second swing-out support frame 200 and the supplemental wall panel 134 in their respective transport and storage positions, in which the second swing-out support frame 200 blocks outward swinging of the sandwiched supplemental wall panel 134 from the long side of the chassis 20. Much in the same way one pair of securement pins 1 14 are used for both field mode coupling and road transport securement of the arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 and the first swing- out support frame 100, the second pair of securement pins 114A are used for both field mode coupling and road transport securement of the supplemental wall panel 134 and the second swing-out support frame 200.

[0060] The upright end post 206 of the second swing out support frame 200, on an inner side thereof that faces the proximal ends of the swing-out support frame’s bottom and top bars 202, 204, also has a dual-jaw slam latch 141 thereon, of which a first openable-closable latch jaw 141 A faces toward the rearmost chassis section 28, and a second openable-closable latch jaw 141 B faces oppositely of the first 141 A, whereby the dual latch 141 can accommodate receipt thereby of the closure panel 72 in either possible swinging direction thereof. In this embodiment, the supplemental wall panel 134, in the useful position thereof in field mode, expands the interior area of the force tub 12” beyond the tub exit 90, adding an extra sector-shaped auxiliary space SA (Figure 8) externally adjacent the long side of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis. In this expanded-tub field setup with the supplemental wall panel 134 deployed and the second swing-out support frame 200 coupled thereto, it is the second swing-out support frame 200 that delimits the front entrance area 128’ of the expanded force tub 12” (Figure 9). This front entrance area 128’ can be selectively closed off by latched receipt of the closure panel 72, by dual-jaw latch 141 , within the swing-out support frame 200 in obstructive occupancy of this front entrance area 128’ (Figure 8), to useful purpose during rear-loading of the force tube 12”. On the other hand, front entrance area 128’ can be selectively opened by unlatching and outward swinging of the closure panel 72 to open up the front entrance area 128’ for front loading of the tub 12”. The rear entrance area 130’ of the expanded tub 12” in this embodiment is not delimited by the first support frame 100, but instead is delimited by the tub’s center post 68, the distal end post 58D of the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132, the third spoke 84C spanning therebetween, and the ground beneath the third spoke 84C, as can be seen in Figure 8.

[0061] As shown, the supplemental wall panel 134 may be equipped with an openable / closeable man gate 142, for example that opens inwardly into the extra sector-shaped auxiliary space SA of the expanded tub 12”, and toward the second swing-out support frame 200 and the front entrance opening 128’ bound thereby, about a hinged connection of this man gate 142 to the distal post 138 of the supplemental wall panel 134. This man gate 142 may be a one-way gate that only opens inwardly, and may be spring loaded into a closed position to prevent animal escape and ensure operator safety. A lock lever 144 on either the man gate 142 or a neighbouring gate frame post 146 of the supplemental wall panel 134, and a cooperating lock pin 148 on the other (Figure 9) , may be used to block any opening movement of the man gate 142 until the lock pin 148 is removed, only whereafter the lock lever 144 can be moved to an unlocked position allowing such opening movement of the man gate 142. In summary of the second embodiment, three of the four arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, 132 thereof are hingedly interconnected tub walls 50, 52, 54, none of which are hinged to the swing-out support frame 100, which instead carries only the remaining fourth arc-shaped tub wall 132 in hinged fashion thereon. The swing-out support frame 100 on which that singular fourth arc-shaped tub wall 132 is carried is one of two bow-shaped support frames 100, 200 in this embodiment, but is the only one thereof that hingedly carries an arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 thereon. Only the first support frame 100 is used in its deployed field position to help support the collective arcuate tub wall span cooperatively defined by the arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, 132, with the second swing-out support frame 200 instead being used in its deployed field position to hold an isolated supplemental wall panel 134, which is of flat non-arcing shape in the illustrated embodiment, and resides at an opposing side of the tub exit 90 from where the collective arcuate tub wall span originates when deployed. Both swing-out support frames 100, 200 are multi-functional. Swing-out support frame 100 once again serves both to hold part of the collective arcuate tub wall span in field mode, and to support and secure the folded-up panel pack of hingedly interconnected arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54 in transport mode. Second swing-out support frame 200 serves both to hold the isolated supplemental wall panel 134 in field mode, and to secure the same in place against the long side of the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20 and framework in transport mode. Once again, each swing-out support frame makes use of a respective pair of pins 1 14, 1 14A to secure it in place in each of its transport and field positions, which pinned securement in the transport position in turn secures a respective subset of the wall panels in place without any requiring any directly pinned securements of the wall panels to the chassis 20 or framework.

[0062] Having described the mechanical design of the foldable force tubs 12’, 12” of the two illustrated embodiments, reference is now made to Figures 1 1 A through 1 1 F, which illustrate sequential steps in deployment of the four arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, 132 of the foldable force tub 12” of the second embodiment from its stowed transport state to its fully unfolded and deployed state for field use. The movable barrier and closure panels 70, 72, and the optional supplemental wall panel 134 and associated second swing-out support frame 200 are omitted in these figures, though a more complete illustration of the chassis 20 and framework is included to better resemble the full scale of a portable, road transportable livestock handling apparatus that would most benefit from a foldable force tub of this type, though the foldable force tubs described herein may alternatively be used in any various operating contexts.

[0063] Referring to Figure 1 1 A to start, the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132, which during transport may be tethered in its stowed position to the swing-out support frame 100, or any one or more of the other arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, for example by one of the tie-up chains 119, is released from such tethered connection, and its distal end post 58D is swung outward from the swing-out support frame 100. Next, the distal end of the respective support spoke 84C is released from the spoke holder 124, swung out to the distal end post 58D of the swung out forth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132, and engaged with the top end of the distal end post 58D thereof. Turning to Figure 1 1 B, next, with the swing-out support frame 100 unpinned from its transport position by temporary removal of securement pins 1 14, swing-out support frame 100 is swung outwardly about its pivotal connection to the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20 and framework, to a position running rearwardly from the terminal rear end 20B of the chassis in parallel and adjacent relationship to the longer chassis beam 26 thereof. Owing to the already unfolded and spoke-held status of the fourth arc- shaped tub wall panel 132 carried on the swing-out support frame 100, this deployment of the swing-out support frame 100 also serves to place the fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 in its deployed working position.

[0064] Referring to Figure 1 1 C, next the bunded pack of first, second and third arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, movement of which is no longer blocked by transport position of the now-deployed swing-out support frame 100, is swung laterally outward from the rearmost section 28 of the chassis 20 about the hinged connection of the panel pack to the chassis 20 and framework at the proximal end post 56A of the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50. Next, referring to Figure 1 1 D, the tethered connection of the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 to the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50 by one of the tie-up chains 1 19 is released, and the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 is swung out from the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50 into its working position forming an arcuate extension of the first arc-shaped tub wall panel 50, during which the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 is carried with the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 owing to a remained tethering thereof by one of the other tie-up chains 1 19.

[0065] Turning to Figure 1 1 E, the third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 is then similarly released from its tethered connection to the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 by untethering of the last of the tie-up chains 119, and is swung out from the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 into its respective working position that forms an arcuate extension of the second arc-shaped tub wall panel 52 and thereby reaches adjacency to the end post 106 of the deployed support frame 100. Here, the distal end post 58C of third arc-shaped tub wall panel 54 is pinned to the end post 106 of the swing-out support frame 100 using the same securement pins 1 14 previously removed at the initial step shown in Figure 1 1 A. Finally, referring to Figure 1 1 F, support spokes 84A, 84B are then withdrawn from the spoke holder 124 and swung out to, and engaged with, the distal end posts 58A, 58B of the first and second arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, thus completing the deployment of the spoke-held collective arcuate tub wall span that is now collectively formed by the four deployed arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, 132.

[0066] In the case where the optional supplemental wall panel 134 and second swing-out support frame 200 are included to enlarge the tub for beneficial inclusion the extra sector-shaped auxiliary space SA inside the tub externally of the longer side of the rearmost chassis section 28, the second swing-out support frame 200 is unpinned from its transport position by temporary removal of securement pins 1 14A and swung out to its respective field position, which frees the supplemental wall panel 134 from its storage position formerly held against the long side of the chassis and framework by the pinned second transport position of the second swing-out support frame 200. The freed supplemental wall panel 134 is swung out to its useful position, and re-pinned to the deployed second swing-out support frame 200, this time at the distal end post 138 of the supplemental wall panel 134, not at the proximal end post 140 thereof, thus completing the deployment of the entire force tub of the second embodiment.

[0067] This deployment of the second swing-out support frame 200 and the supplemental wall panel 134 from the longer side of the asymmetric rear chassis section 28, in embodiments that include them, can be performed either before or after the deployment of the arc-shaped tub walls 50, 52, 54, 132 from the shorter side of the rear chassis section 28 in the manner shown in Figures 11 A through 1 1 F. In the first embodiment having only three arc-shaped tub wall panels 50, 52, 54, the deployment process is substantially the same as that described in relation to Figures 1 1 A through 1 1 F, differing only in that the step described with reference with Figure 1 1 A doesn’t involve untethering and unfolding of a fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 that is hinged to the swing-out support frame 100, nor bracing of such fourth arc-shaped tub wall panel 132 with a third elevated support spoke 84C.

[0068] Since various modifications can be made in the invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a swing-out support frame of a type that comprises a top bar, a bottom bar and an upright post spanning therebetween at a distal end of the swing-out support frame of opposing relation to a proximal end thereof that is pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement of the swing-out support frame about an upright swing axis between a transport position folded up with the chassis and a field position swung outward from the transport position and spanning rearwardly from the chassis for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; wherein at least a plural subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels are hingedly interconnected tub wall panels pivotally coupled end-to-end with one another, independently of the swing-out support frame, such that any adjacent two of said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are pivotal relative to one another about a respective hinge axis between folded state residing alongside one another and an unfolded state forming arcuate extensions of one another, and the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, with each of said any adjacent two in their folded state, are collectively stowable as a bundled panel pack folded up and stowed in said secured relation to the chassis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels includes a first tub wall panel hinged to the chassis, independently of the swing- out support frame, for pivotal movement of said first tub wall panel relative to the chassis about an upright hinge axis, about which the bundled panel pack is pivotable during deployment and stowage of the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels.

3. The apparatus claim 1 or 2 wherein said swing-out support frame is arranged to provide or contribute to, in the transport position thereof, at least one of either support or securement of said bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, when folded up with the chassis.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, when folded up with the chassis, are at least one of either supportable or secureable entirely by combination of (i) a pivotal connection of a singular one of said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels to the chassis; and (ii) the transport position of the swing-out support frame.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the swing-out support frame is arranged to occupy the transport position thereof with the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels constrained between part of the chassis and the transport position of the swing-out support frame.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said swing-out support frame is arranged to obstruct unfolding of the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels from the rear section of the chassis when the swing-out support frame is in the transport position.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said swing-out support frame is arranged for pin securement thereof in the transport position proximate a same location on the chassis proximate to which the hingedly interconnected tub wall panelsare pivotally coupled to the chassis.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said swing-out support frame is one of one or more support frames of said type, and said one or more support frames of said type is of a lesser quantity than said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said one or more support frames of said type consists of no more than two support frames of said type.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said one or more support frames of said type is also of a lesser quantity than said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels.1 1 . The apparatus of claim any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said swing- out support frame is the only support frame of said type.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said bottom bar of the swing-out support frame, in the transport position thereof, spans across one or more ground support legs of the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels when folded up with the chassis.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least one of said one or more ground support legs has a support feature that, when the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are folded with the chassis, overlies the bottom bar of the swing-out support frame, in the transport position thereof, to enable supportive seating of the support feature atop the bottom bar of the swing-out support frame.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, 12 and 13 further comprising one or more elevated support spokes each movable between a stored position reaching forwardly along the chassis toward the front end thereof, and a bracing position radiating outwardly from a hub proximate the rear end of the chassisto connect with the collective arcuate tub wall span at a respective arcuate distance therealong from where the swing-out support frame connects thereto.

15. The apparatus claim 14 wherein at least a subset of the elevated support spokes, in the storage position thereof, reside on the swing-out support frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said subset of the elevated support spokes are pivotally coupled to the swing-out support frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein of said subset of the elevated support spokes, at least one resides on each of two opposing sides of the swing-out support frame in the storage positions of said subset of the elevated support spokes.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the swing-out support frame comprises a spoke holder thereon for receiving and holding a respective distal end of at least one of said spokes in the storage position thereof.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 18 wherein said swing-out support frame is a first one of two swing-out support frames that also comprises a second swing-out support frame, which is pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement about a second upright swing axis between a second transport position folded up with the chassis and a second field position swung outward from the second transport position by a lesser angular range than that measured between the transport and field positions of the first swing-out support frame, and the apparatus further comprises a supplemental wall panel selectively deployable in a useful position spanning laterally out from the chassis, at a side thereof opposite that from which the bundled panel pack of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are deployed, and into connection with one end of the second swing-out support frame when in the second field position.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said supplemental wall panel ishinged to the chassis for swinging movement about a third swing axis between said useful position and a storage position folded up alongside the chassis.21 . The apparatus of claim 19 or 20 wherein said supplemental wall panel is storable for transport in a sandwiched position between the chassis and the second swing-out support frame, when in the second transport position.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein a set of one more securement pins, by which the second swing-out support frame and the supplemental wall panel are interconnectable when deployed for field use, are also usable to secure both thereof in place for stowed transport.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said set of one or more securement pins are engaged to both the second swing-out support frame and the supplemental wall panel in both field use deployment and stowed transport securement thereof.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein the second field position of the second swing-out support frame resides on a side of the rear chassis opposite to the transport position of the first support frame.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein a set of one more securement pins by which one of the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels is connectable to the swing-out support frame, when both are deployed, is also usable to secure both thereof in place for stowed transport.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said set of one or more securement pins are usable to secure the swing-out support frame in in the transport position thereof, which in turn holds at least said one of the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels in place for stowed transport.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the swing-out support frame holdsall of the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels in place for stowed transport when pinned in place by said set of one or more pins.

28. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the plurality of arcshaped tub wall panels, in addition to the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, further comprises an additional arc-shaped tub wall panel carried by the swing-out support frame.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said additional arc-shaped tub wall panel is hinged to the swing-out support frame for swinging movement between a folded position running along the swing-out support frame and an unfolded position arcing laterally outward therefrom at one side thereof of opposing relation to another side thereof where the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels, in the unfolded state thereof, are connectable to the swing-out support frame to form a first segment of the collective arcuate tub wall span, of which the unfolded additional arc-shaped tub wall panel forms a second segment of arcuately extended relationship to the first segment.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 or 29 wherein said additional tub wall panel is an only one of the arc-shaped tub wall panels carried by said swing-out support frame.31 . A livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a tub wall support carried by the chassis and selectively movable betweena transport position, and a field position of greater outward reach from the chassis than said transport position for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span, when formed by deployment of the arc-shaped tub wall panels, at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; wherein: at least a subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels are stowable in secured relation to the chassis in a position in which the transport position of the tub wall support is operable to provide or contribute to at least one of either support or securement of said subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels in in said secured relation to the chassis; and said subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels includes at least one tub wall panel of non-hinged relationship to said tub wall support.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said tub wall support is a swing- out support frame pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement about an upright swing axis between said transport position, in which the swing-out support frame is folded up with the chassis, and said field position swung outward from the transport position.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 or 32 wherein said at least one tub wall panel of non-hinged relationship to said swing-out tub wall support comprises more than one tub wall panel of non-hinged relationship to said tub wall support.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said more than one tub wall panel of non-hinged relationship to said tub wall support comprises a plurality of hingedly interconnected tub wall panels.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels includes a first tub wall panel hinged to the chassis for pivotal movementrelative thereto about an upright hinge axis, about which an entirety of the hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are pivotable during deployment and stowage thereof.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said entirety of said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels are least partially supported or secured, when stowed in secured relation to the chassis, by the transport position of the tub wall support.

37. The apparatus of any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein the tub wall support comprises a bar that spans across one or more ground support legs of one or more of the arc-shaped tub wall panels of said subset.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein at least one of said one or more ground support legs has a support feature that, when the arc-shaped tub wall panels are stowed in secured relation to the chassis, overlies said bar of the tub wall support, in the transport position thereof, to enable supportive seating of the support feature atop said bar of the tub wall support.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 or 38 wherein said bar of the tub wall support is a bottom bar thereof, and the tub wall further comprises a top bar of elevationally spaced relationship to the bottom bar thereof, and an upright post interconnecting said top and bottom bars.

40. A livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; a tub wall support carried by the chassis and selectively movable betweena transport position, and a field position of greater outward reach from the chassis than said transport position for connection with the collective arcuate tub wall span, when formed by deployment of the arc-shaped tub wall panels, at a spaced distance from the rear end of the chassis; and a set of securement pins that are both: installable in a tub deployment mode in which said securement pins are engaged with the tub wall support and one of the arc-shaped tub walls, in the field and working positions thereof, respectively, to establish a connection therebetween for support of the collective arcuate tub wall span; and also installable in a tub stowage mode in which said securement pins instead serve to secure both the tub wall support and at least a subset of the arc-shaped tub wall panels in stowed relation to the chassis.41 . A livestock handling apparatus comprising: a chassis having a front end and opposing rear end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a collapsible force tub transportable in secured relation to said chassis and comprising a plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels selectively placeable in cooperatively deployed working positions to form a collective arcuate tub wall span along which livestock can be encouraged; and a swing-out support frame of a type that comprises a top bar, a bottom bar and an upright post spanning therebetween at a distal end of the swing-out support frame of opposing relation to a proximal end thereof that is pivotally coupled to the chassis for swinging movement of the swing-out support frame about an upright swing axis between a transport position folded up with the chassis and a field position swung outward from the transport position and spanning rearwardly from the chassis forconnection with one of the plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels the working position thereof; and a set of one or more elevated supported spokes carried on the swing-out support frame, and each movable relative thereto between a stored position running along the top bar of the swing-out support frame and a bracing position radiating outwardly therefrom for connection of a distal end of the spoke to the collective arcuate tub wall span at a discrete position therealong from where the swing-out support frame connects thereto at said one of the plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the swing-out support frame comprises a spoke holder thereon for receiving and holding the distal end of at least one of said one or more elevated support spokes in the transport position thereof.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 or 42 wherein said swing-out support frame is one of one or more support frames of said type, and said one or more support frames of said type is of a lesser quantity than said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said one or more support frames consists of no more than two support frames of said type.

45. The apparatus of any one of claims 39 to 42 wherein said swing-out support frame is the only support frame of said type.

46. The apparatus of any one of claims 41 to 45 wherein at least a plural subset of said plurality of arc-shaped tub wall panels are hingedly interconnected tub wall panels pivotally coupled end-to-end with one another, independently of the swing- out support frame.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said hingedly interconnected tub wall panels includes a first tub wall panel hinged to the chassis, independently of the swing-out support frame, for pivotal movement relative to the chassis about an uprighthinge axis.

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