Back to results
US 5,669,332 AGranted
Portable chute for immobolizing an animal
OwnerWilliam S. Rileyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable chute for immobilizing an animal (e.g. a dairy cow) which has a front gate, a rear gate, and a stanchion for immobilizing the animal, all of which are operable by a single operator from a single location at the rear of the chute. The chute is pivotably mounted onto the bed of a vehicle and is rotatable by a fluid-operated cylinder between a horizontal or hoof-trimming position on the bed of the vehicle and an upright, vertical or cow-loading position.
Claims16
A portable chute for immobilizing an animal comprising:
- an inside wall and an outside wall connected together to form a rectangular, box-like structure;
- a vehicle;
- means for pivotably mounting said structure on said vehicle;
- and
- means for moving said structure between a horizontal position on said vehicle and a vertical, upright position adjacent said vehicle;
- a front gate pivotably connected to the front of said structure, said front gate blocking exit from said structure when in a closed position and allowing exit from said structure when in an open position, said front gate comprising:
- a first and a second vertical section connected together along one respective vertical edge to form an angle therebeween wherein said second section provides a surface which tapers inwardly with respect to said first section when said front gate is in its said closed position, said front gate having an opening in said first section into which the head of said animal passes through when said animal is fully within said structure, said tapered surface inherently guiding the head of said animal as the animal enters the structure;
- means for releasably latching said front gate in said closed position;
- and
- means operable from the rear of said structure for releasing said latching means whereby said front gate can be moved to said open position;
- means operable from the rear of said stucture for moving said front gate between said open position and said closed position;
- a rear gate pivotably connected to the rear of said structure, said rear gate blocking entry into or exit from said structure when in a closed position and allowing entry into said structure when in an open position;
- means for immobilizing the head of the animal when said animal is within said structure, said means comprising:
- a stanchion pivotably mounted on said front gate and moveable between a set open position and a set closed position wherein said head of said animal is immobilized with respect to said front gate;
- and
- means operable from the rear of said structure for automatically moving said stanchion between said set closed position wherein said head of said animal is immobilized and said set open position wherein said head of said animal is not immobilized.
13 more elements
A portable chute for immobilizing an animal comprising:
- an inside wall and an outside wall connected together to form a rectangular, box-like structure;
- a vehicle;
- means for pivotably mounting said structure on said vehicle;
- and
- means for moving said structure between a horizontal position on said vehicle and a vertical, upright position adjacent said vehicle;
- a front gate pivotably connected to the front of said structure, said front gate blocking exit from said structure when in a closed position and allowing exit from said structure when in an open position, said front gate comprises:
- a first and a second vertical section connected together along one respective vertical edge to form an angle therebeween wherein said second section provides a surface which tapers inwardly with respect to said first section when said front gate is in its said closed position, said front gate having an opening in said first section into which the head of said animal passes through when said animal is fully within said structure, said tapered surface inherently directing the head of said animal into said opening as the animal enters the structure;
- means within said structure operable from the rear of said structure for lifting said animal upward within said structure;
- means operable from the rear of said structure for moving said front gate between its said open and said closed positions;
- a rear gate pivotably connected to the rear of said structure, said rear gate blocking entry into or exit from said structure when in a closed position and allowing entry into said structure when in an open position;
- means operable from the rear of said structure for immobilizing the head of the animal when said animal is within said structure, said means comprising:
- a stanchion pivotably mounted on said front gate and moveable through a set travel path between a set open position which allows the head of said animal to pass through said opening in said front gate and a set closed position wherein said head of said animal is immobilized with respect to said front gate;
- and
- means operable from the rear of said structure for moving said stanchion between said set closed position wherein said head of said animal is immobilized and said set open position wherein said head of said animal is not immobilized and for holding said stanchion when in said respective open and closed positions;
- said means comprising:
- a fluid-operated cylinder means mounted between said front gate and said stanchion.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.