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US 5,960,737 AGranted
Automatic milking machine arm detacher with sloping splash shield
AssigneeBabson Bros. Co.
InventorsLarry G. Larson, Patrick M. Hein, Robert G. Krause
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A milk machine detaching mechanism suitable for use in a sloping splash panel or other vertically limited space, having a pair of opposing components that can transfer load in the vertical direction, but which slide relative to one another in a lateral direction. The detacher is capable raising a milk machine support arm in a smooth and arc-shaped direction to avoid contact with a cow or a cow support platform as the support arm is being withdrawn. The detacher includes a folding arm assembly to minimize potential pinch points.
Claims28
A milking machine detacher comprising:
- a reciprocating piston;
- a first clevis fixed to the reciprocating piston;
- a first chain having a first end fixed to the reciprocating piston and a second end;
- an articulated milker arm joined to the second end of the first chain, the milker arm being foldable in response to an upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first chain;
- a vertically movable milker arm support joined to the articulated milker arm;
- a second clevis joined to the milker arm support and arranged to be engaged by the first clevis to raise the milker arm support and the articulated milker arm in response to an upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first clevis;
- a second chain having a first end connected to the milker arm support and a second end;
- and
- a counterweight joined to the second end of the second chain to and counterbalancing the milker arm support and the articulated milker arm.
6 more elements
A milking machine detacher comprising:
- a reciprocating piston;
- a first clevis fixed to the piston;
- a first chain having a first end fixed to the piston and a second end;
- an articulated milker arm joined to the second end of the first chain, the milker arm being foldable in response to upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first chain;
- a vertically movable milker arm support arranged for vertical movement;
- a second clevis joined to the milker arm support and arranged to be engaged by the first clevis to transfer vertical loads from the milker arm support and to slide relative to the first clevis when the first clevis moves in a transverse direction in response to upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first clevis;
- a second chain having a first end connected to the milker arm support and a second end;
- and
- a counterweight joined to the second end of the second chain to aid in raising and counterbalancing the milker arm support and the articulated milker arm.
6 more elements
A milking machine detacher comprising:
- a sloped splash panel;
- a piston mounted for reciprocal movement within the sloped splash panel;
- a first clevis fixed to the piston;
- a first chain having a first end fixed to the piston and a second end;
- an articulated milker arm joined to the second end of the first chain, the milker arm being foldable in response to upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first chain;
- a milker arm support disposed for vertical movement at least partially within the sloped splash panel and joined to the articulated milker arm;
- a second clevis joined to the milker arm support and arranged to be engaged by the first clevis to transfer vertical loads from the milker arm to the milker arm support and slide relative to the first clevis when the first clevis moves in a transverse direction in response to upward movement of the reciprocating piston and the first clevis;
- a second chain having a first end connected to the milker arm support and a second end;
- and
- a counterweight disposed in the sloped splash panel and joined to the second end of the second chain to aid in raising and counterbalancing the milker arm support and the articulated milker arm.
7 more elements
An articulated milking machine detacher arm comprising:
- a plurality of arm segments hinged together for movement between an extended position and a folded position;
- and
- a chain bushing mounted in at least one arm segment for receiving a retracting chain, the bushing extending laterally toward an adjacent arm segment to maintain spacing between adjacent arm segments when the arm assembly is in the folded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.