Transponder reader arm assembly
AssigneeAlfa Laval Agri AB
InventorsWilliam E. Spencer, Mofazzal H. Chowdhury
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transponder reader arm assembly is useful with feed cars for automatically feeding livestock in order to place a transponder reader in close proximity to a transponder worn by the livestock. The transponder reader arm assembly hereof includes a pivotally mounted arm connected to a mounting bracket at an inboard end and presenting an outwardly extending distal end having a transponder reader connected thereto. The transponder reader arm includes a biasing spring which serves to center the arm to an outwardly extending orientation. The transponder reader may be mounted directly to the distal end of a single arm or to a connecting linkage between a pair of parallel arms.
Claims21
A transponder reader arm adapted for use with a feed car movable along a path for feeding livestock in response to signals sent by individual transponders associated with members of the livestock, said transponder reader arm comprising:
- an arm presenting a first end and a second, distal end;
- means for pivotally mounting said arm relative to said car proximate said first end;
- and
- means mounting a transponder reader proximate said second end, whereby said car dispenses feed to the members of the livestock in response to said transponder reader receiving a signal from said individual tansponders.
A transponder reader arm assembly adapted for use with a feed car movable along a path for feeding livestock in response to signals sent by individual transponders associated with members of the livestock, said transponder reader arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm presenting a first end and a second, distal end;
- a second arm presenting a first end and a second, distal end;
- means for mounting said first end of said first arm and said first end of said second arm in pivotal relationship to the car;
- means for interconnecting said first arm and said second arm and for maintaining said first arm and said second arm in constant parallel alignment during pivoting of each of said arms;
- and
- means for mounting a transponder reader proximate said second, distal end of one of said first arm or second arm, whereby said car dispenses feed to the members of the livestock in response to said transponder reader receiving a signal from said individual transponders.
In combination with a feed car movable along a path for feeding livestock in response to signals sent by individual transponders associated with members of the livestock, a transponder reader arm assembly comprising:
- at least one arm presenting a first end and a second, distal end;
- means mounting said at least one arm to said feed car in a transverse orientation relative to the path of said feed car, said mounting means including structure to allow for pivotal movement between said first end of said at least one arm and said car;
- and
- means for mounting a transponder reader adjacent said distal end, whereby said car dispenses feed to the members of the livestock in response to said transponder reader receiving a signal from said individual transponders.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.