Shackle with pivot feature

A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction, the device comprising:

• a lower portion operable to retain the animal,
• wherein the lower portion comprises first and second stirrups;
• and
• an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system, the upper portion attachable to the lower portion,
• wherein the lower portion and the upper portion are operable for relative movement between—
• (a) a first position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and
• (b) a second position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other.

A shackle for retaining a poultry animal on a conveyor system for moving the poultry animal in a forward direction, the shackle comprising:

• a lower portion including stirrups operable to receive and retain the legs of the poultry animal;
• an upper portion operable for conveyance by the conveyor system, the upper portion attachable to the lower portion;
• and
• a channel defining—
• (c) a first position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and
• (d) a second position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.

A shackle for retaining a poultry animal on a conveyor system for moving the poultry animal in a forward direction, the shackle comprising:

• an upper portion operable for conveyance by the conveyor system;
• a lower portion including stirrups operable to receive and retain the legs of the poultry animal, the lower portion being movably attached to the upper portion;
• and
• a stop defining at least one position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other.

A shackle for retaining a poultry animal on a conveyor system for moving the poultry animal in a forward direction, the shackle comprising:

• a lower portion including a pair of stirrups operable to receive and retain the legs of the poultry animal;
• a leg extending upwardly from the lower portion;
• and
• an upper portion operable for conveyance by the conveyor system, the lower portion being movably attached to the lower portion, and
• wherein the leg contacts a portion of the conveyor system and defines a position in which the lower portion and the upper portion are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other.

A shackle for retaining an animal on a conveyor system operable to move the animal through processing, the conveyor system including at least one inclined or declined portion, the shackle comprising:

• an upper portion operable for conveyance by the conveyor system;
• a lower portion movably connected to the upper portion and having a substantially vertical orientation and being operable to receive and retain the animal;
• and
• wherein the lower portion and upper portion move relative to each other to maintain the lower portion in a substantially vertical orientation as the shackle moves through the at least one inclined or declined portion.