# US 2009/0260573 A1 · Portable Milking Apparatus and Method

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- Number: US 2009/0260573 A1
- Document ID: US20090260573A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/104,574
- Filed: 2008-04-17
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-17
- Inventors: Chad Rucks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260573A1

## CPC

- A01K 1/12: Milking stations
- A01K 1/123: {Mobile milking parlours}
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

A portable milking apparatus configured according to principles of the invention includes a platform configured to maintain an animal and an elevator that positions the platform in at least a lowered position, wherein the platform is generally aligned with the ground, and a raised position that enables milking at an ergonomically optimal height. A portable milking method includes elevating the animal sufficiently to enable milking at an ergonomically optimal height, wherein the elevating excludes inclined traversing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for milking an animal comprising:
a platform configured to maintain the animal; and
an elevator that positions said platform in at least a lowered position, wherein said platform is generally aligned with the ground, and a raised position that enables milking from the ground at an ergonomically optimal height.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance between said lowered position and said raised position is adjustable.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stall configured to retain the animal on said platform.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retractable gate configured to selectably retain the animal on said platform.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ground-engageable wheel rotatably mounted relative to said platform.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevator comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a rack and pinion, a jackscrew or combinations thereof.

### Claim 7

Method of milking an animal comprising:
elevating the animal sufficiently to enable milking from the ground at an ergonomically optimal height;
wherein said elevating excludes inclined traversing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

Method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to said elevating, providing for ingress that is generally aligned with the ground.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

Method of claim 7, further comprising, following said elevating:
milking the animal; and
lowering the animal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

Method of claim 9, further comprising, following said lowering, providing for egress that is generally aligned with the ground.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

Method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to said elevating, going to the animal.