CA1137836A

CA1137836A - Cattle restraining device

Info

Publication number: CA1137836A
Application number: CA000370738A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Wayne Leask; Alexander W. Dietz
Original assignee: DIETZ ALEXANDER W; LEASK WAYNE
Current assignee: DIETZ ALEXANDER W
Priority date: 1981-02-12
Filing date: 1981-02-12
Publication date: 1982-12-21

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for restraining cattle, i.e., a cow during calving includes a pair of gates pivotally mounted on a wall for movement into and out of parallel, cattle restraining relationship to each other. One of the gates is longer than the other, and can be locked in one position.
The second gate can be releasably connected to the first gate by chains extending between the gates. Both gates are provided with removable portions for facilitating access to the cow.

Description

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This invention relates to a device for restraining cattle, and in particular to a restraining device for use during calving.
The only presently available cattle restraining devices are large, complicated structures which are not suited for calving purposes.
The object of the present invention is to meet the above mentioned need by providing a relatively simple, inexpensive cattle restraining device, which can readily be installed in a barn or other building by any cattleman.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a cattle restraining device comprising first and second gate means; means for pivotally mounting one end of each of said first and second gate means on a wall for rotation around a vertical axis, whereby the first and second gate means can be independently rotated into and out of parallel, cattle restraining relationship to each other; lock means for locking the other end of said first gate means in a fixed position; chain means for releasably connecting said first gate means to said second gate means for retaining the first and second gate means in the cattle restraining position.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cattle restraining device in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1 in use.
With reference to the drawing, the cattle restraining device -- i of the present invention includes a pair of gates generally indicated at 1 and 2. Each gate 1 and 2 is defined by a plurality of posts 3, 4, and 5, which are interconnected by spaced apart horizontal bars 6. In the preferred embodiment, SQ that access to a cow can readily be gained, gates 1 and 2 are of different lengths. Additionally, to facilitate access, some of the bars are removably mount~d between adjacent posts 3 and for such purpose, a pair of vertically spaced apart lugs 7 are pro-vided on the posts 3 and 4. The bars 6 rest on the lowermost lugs 7, and pins 8 are inserted through aligned holes (not shown) in the lugs 7 and bars 6. Thus, the ends of the bars 6 are releasably mounted on the lugs 7 for easy removal and replacement.
Each gate 1 and 2 is pivotally mounted on a wall 9 or other structure by means of sockets 10 and brackets 11. The sockets, which are open at their bottom ends and closed at their top ends, are welded onto the posts 5. The brackets 11, which are merely L-shaped rods on flat plates, are mounted on the wall 9. One end 13 of each of three chains 14 is connected to one gate 1. The other end 15 of each chain 14 can be releasably connected to hooks 16 on the other gate 2 for maintain-ing the gates 1 and 2 parallel to each other, i.e., when a cow 17 is therebetween (Figure 2).
The gate 1 can be locked in one position perpendicular to the wall 9 by means of a post 18, which is separate from the gate 1 and a latch 19 mounted on the gate. The post 18 is mounted in the floor of a barn or in the ground at a distance from the wall 9 which is slightly greater than the length of the gate 1. The latch 19 is a sliding bolt . ~

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type lock, bolt 20 of which slides into a hole (not shown) in the post 18.
When the device is not in use, the gates 1 and 2 can rest against the wall. It is also possible to mount the post 18 in a buried socket or the like (not shown), so that the post is removable. When the device is to be used, the gate 1 is swung to the position shown in the drawings, and the bolt 20 is slid into the post 18 to lock the gate 1 in the in use position. The cow is maneuvered into position (Figure 2), and the gate 2 is swung into position parallel to the gate 1. The gates 1 and 2 are locked together by placing the ends 15 of the chains 14 on the hooks 16.
Because at least some of the bars 6 are removable, the device described above permits easy access to a restrained cow. The freedom to rotate one or both gates is important during calving. When a calf is being pulled with a so-called calf puller, there is no way to determine in advance which way the cow will fall on her side.
While the use of the device has been described with reference to calving, it will be appreciated that the device can be used to restrain bulls or calves for medical or other treatment. The device, as illus-trated is mounted on a wall. The "wall" in this case may, in fact, be a wall, a fence, or any other stable structure.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art, the manner of carrying out the invention. It is further under-~ 3~ 6 stood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the presently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and general arrangement of components, for example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be used independently of the use of other features, all as will be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefits of the description of the invention.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A cattle restraining device comprising first and second gate means; means for pivotally mounting one end of each said first and second gate means on a wall for rotation around a vertical axis, whereby the first and second gate means can be independently rotated into and out of parallel, cattle restraining relationship to each other; lock means for locking the other end of said first gate means in a fixed position; chain means for releasably connecting said first gate means to said second gate means for retaining the first and second gate means in the cattle re-straining position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein each said first and second gate means includes a plurality of spaced apart, vertical posts;
a plurality of horizontal bars interconnecting said posts; and means re-movably mounting at least some of said horizontal bars between said posts.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said first or second gate means are of different lengths.