GB2575688A

GB2575688A - Agricultural apparatus and methods

Info

Publication number: GB2575688A
Application number: GB1811908.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Houldey David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-20
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-20
Also published as: GB201811908D0; WO2020016572A1; GB2575688B

Abstract

A livestock immobiliser apparatus 12 having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration. The immobiliser comprises a clamping portion 18 and a mechanism 30 for moving the immobiliser between the loading and holding configurations. The mechanism is actuated by livestock entering or moving with the immobiliser in the loading configuration. The immobiliser may comprise a side exit 32 which allows livestock to exit from a/the side of the immobiliser.

Description

AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS AND METHODS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for, but not exclusively, immobilising or holding livestock, e.g. sheep, e.g. for inspection and/or treatment.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

From time-to-time livestock needs to be held for inspection or treatment. Current products on the market for holding livestock have numerous limitations.

One product designed for holding sheep comprises a passageway into which a sheep enters. In use, the product optically detects the presence of the sheep and actuates pneumatic-operated padded rams that close together to hold each side of the sheep. Once the inspection or treatment has been completed, the rams are separated to allow the sheep to be released forwards through the passageway. The product uses electrical power for operating the pneumatic-operated padded rams so requires a source of electrical energy such as a battery or mains supply. The product is relatively expensive, noisy during operation, complex, difficult to transport on-site and may require a high degree of maintenance.

Another product designed for holding sheep comprises a passageway defined between two side panels. One of the side panels is levered relative to the other side panel. In use, a sheep moves through the passageway until an operator manually applies tension to a rope that levers the one side panel towards the other side panel so as to hold each side of the sheep between the panels. Once the inspection or treatment has been completed, the operator releases tension on the rope to move the panels apart to allow the sheep to be released forwards through the passageway. The product is relatively inexpensive but requires manual operation.

A product designed for cattle or cows comprises a passageway into which the cattle enters. The front end of the passageway comprises a manually-actuated mechanical clamp for holding the cattle around its neck. The product does not hold the body of the cattle, and therefore, inspection or treatment can be challenging if the cattle moves too much. Further, the cattle may become stressed due to being held in its neck area.

There exists a need for a product for holding livestock, particularly sheep, that addresses one or more disadvantages of current products on the market.

It is an object of at least one embodiments of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate at least one problem and/or disadvantage in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One or more aspects and/or optional features of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a livestock immobiliser or livestock immobiliser apparatus having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration. The immobiliser may comprise a mechanism for moving the immobiliser between the loading and holding configurations. The mechanism may be actuatable by livestock, e.g. sheep, entering or moving within the immobiliser when in the loading configuration. By “actuatable” may be meant that the mechanism unlocks a first means for locking the immobiliser and/or causes the immobilizer to move from the loading to the holding configuration, e.g. under the influence of biassing means.

The mechanism may be beneficially mechanically actuatable.

In use, the mechanism may be automatically actuated by the livestock entering the immobiliser, e.g. so that the livestock self-actuates the mechanism. Upon being actuated, the mechanism may move the immobiliser from the loading configuration to the holding configuration. When in the holding configuration, the immobiliser may immobilise the livestock to allow for treatment, inspection and/or other operation to be performed on the livestock. The automatic actuation by mechanical means may reduce the burden on a manual operator and/or reduce the number of manual operators required when using the immobiliser. This may reduce operating costs and/or allow the manual operator(s) to concentrate on inspection/treatment of the livestock.

The mechanism may be configured to move the immobiliser to the livestock holding configuration without requiring electrical power or a manual operator to actuate the mechanism. The mechanism may be more reliable than a manual operated or an electrically-actuated system due to the relative simple mechanical-nature of the mechanism.

The immobiliser may have a relatively simple construction. The immobiliser may be relatively inexpensive, simple to operate, relatively low-noise during operation, and/or simple to service.

The immobiliser may be a sheep immobiliser. Livestock of similar size to sheep, for example calves, may be immobilised by the immobiliser. It will be appreciated that other livestock may be immobilised by the immobiliser. The principle of the immobiliser may be extended to other livestock such as cows, pigs and the like. The configuration of the immobiliser and components thereof may be modified and/or sized as appropriate depending on the type of livestock.

The immobiliser may be configured to hold the sides of the livestock in the holding configuration.

The immobiliser may be configured to hold the body of the livestock (e.g. as opposed to the neck or head). This may reduce the stress on the livestock. By holding the sides of the livestock, the immobiliser may immobilise the livestock in a horizontal direction. The horizontal immobilisation may be less distressing for the livestock than a vertical immobilisation.

The immobiliser may comprise a clamping portion configured to hold one side of the livestock.

The clamping portion may be configured to clamp one side of the livestock only. Only one clamping portion may be needed to hold the livestock. The clamping portion may be configured to clamp the livestock against a stationary part, such as an opposite side, of the immobiliser. The clamping portion may be moveable towards the stationary part to clamp the livestock therebetween in the holding configuration. The clamping portion may be moveable between the loading and holding configurations.

The immobiliser may comprise a side exit for allowing the livestock to exit from a side of the immobiliser, e.g. on a side opposite a side having the clamping portion.

In use, when the livestock enters the immobiliser, the side exit may be closed. After the livestock has been inspected/treated, the exit may be opened to allow the livestock to exit the immobiliser from the side. While the livestock is immobilised, it may be difficult to return the immobiliser to the loading configuration to release the livestock. While in the holding configuration, the clamping portion may prevent the livestock being released in a backwards or forwards direction through the immobiliser. By allowing the livestock to be released from the side, the side exit may provide a simple route for the livestock to be quickly released without having to reset the immobiliser to the loading configuration with the livestock in situ. Once the livestock has been released, the clamping portion may be returned to the loading configuration and the exit may be closed so that the immobiliser may load a next livestock for inspection/treatment. The exit may comprise a gate, or the like.

A space between the side exit and the clamping portion in the loading configuration may define a passageway. Movement of the clamping portion from the loading configuration to the holding configuration may reduce a width of the passageway defined between the side exit and the clamping portion.

The exit may comprise a releasable exit mechanism for preventing the exit from being opened during loading and holding of the livestock. The releasable exit mechanism may be releasable so that the exit can be opened to allow the livestock to leave the immobiliser from the side. The exit may be pivotably connected to the immobiliser to allow the exit to be opened and closed.

The immobiliser may comprise cushioning for keeping the livestock comfortable in the holding configuration. The livestock immobiliser may comprise first means for locking the immobiliser in the loading configuration.

The first means may be configured to be unlocked upon actuation by the livestock.

The first means may be configured to lock the immobiliser in the loading configuration. The first means may comprise a locking system. The first means may be configured to lock a/the clamping portion in the loading configuration. The mechanism may be configured to move the immobiliser to the holding configuration upon the first means being unlocked.

The mechanism may be configured to unlock the immobiliser in the loading configuration upon being actuated by the livestock. The livestock may mechanically unlock the immobiliser in the loading configuration by actuating the (mechanical) mechanism. The mechanism may be configured to mechanically unlock the first means. Upon the immobiliser being unlocked, the mechanism may be configured to move the immobiliser to the holding configuration.

The immobiliser may comprise a trigger configured to unlock the first means upon actuation by the livestock contacting the trigger.

The trigger may comprise a moveable actuator configured to unlock the first means upon the livestock moving the moveable actuator.

The moveable actuator may be configured to move to unlock the locking system by movement of the livestock through the immobiliser, for example, in a forward direction therethrough. The immobiliser may be configured such that the livestock can enter the immobiliser in a forward direction. The immobiliser may be configured such that the livestock can exit the immobiliser in a forward and/or side direction.

The moveable actuator may be pivotably connected to the mechanism.

Movement, e.g. forward movement, of the livestock relative to the moveable actuator may pivot the moveable actuator relative to the mechanism. The moveable actuator may be pivotably connected to a/the clamping portion. The clamping portion may form part of or be connected to the mechanism.

Instead of being pivotably connected to the mechanism, the moveable actuator may be configured for movement relative to the mechanism through an appropriate mechanical connector or joint.

The first means may comprise a latch for locking the first means. The latch may be configured to be unlatched by the trigger to unlock the first means.

The trigger may comprise a ramped portion configured to unlock the first means, for example, by unlatching the latch.

The latch may comprise a pivoted latch member and a catch. The pivoted latch member may be engageable with the catch to lock the first means. The ramped portion may be configured to disengage the pivoted latch member from the catch upon the trigger being actuated by the livestock.

The ramped portion of the trigger may be configured to pivot the latch member to disengage the latch member from the catch. The trigger may be configured such that, upon the ramped portion being moved relative to the latch member, the ramped portion pivots the latch member out of the catch as the ramped portion moves relative to the latch member to thereby allow the mechanism to move the immobiliser to the holding configuration.

The trigger may be configured to prevent the livestock moving forwards through the passageway to exit the passageway via a front of the immobiliser.

The trigger may comprise a barrier configured to prevent forward movement of the livestock through the passageway when in the holding configuration. The moveable actuator may comprise the barrier.

The livestock immobiliser may comprise second means for locking immobiliser in the holding configuration.

The immobiliser may comprise a reset mechanism for unlocking the second means, for example, to reset the immobiliser to the loading configuration.

The second means may comprise a retaining system configured to lock the second means in the holding configuration. The second means may comprise any component of the retaining system.

The retaining system may be configured to prevent the immobiliser from being moved to the loading configuration while the livestock is in situ. Retaining the immobiliser in the holding configuration and/or preventing the immobiliser from being moved towards the loading configuration may ensure that the immobiliser may remain in the holding configuration so as to prevent accidental or unintentional release of the livestock from the immobiliser.

The second means and/or retaining system may comprise a ratchet system configured to permit movement of the immobiliser towards the holding configuration. The ratchet system may be configured to prevent movement of a clamping portion towards the loading configuration.

The ratchet system may comprise a rack such as a linear rack. The ratchet system may comprise a pawl configured to engage the rack.

The ratchet system may comprise a rack and a pawl. The pawl may be configured to engage the rack so as to control movement of the mechanism.

The rack may comprise a linear rack or any appropriate toothed member. The pawl may form part of or be connected to the mechanism and/or the immobiliser. Engagement of the pawl with the rack may control movement of the clamping portion, for example, by permitting movement of the clamping portion towards the holding configuration while preventing movement of the clamping portion towards the loading configuration. The rack may form part of or be connected to the mechanism and/or the immobiliser. The rack may be pivoted or otherwise moveable with respect to the mechanism and/or the immobiliser to accommodate relative movement between the clamping portion and the immobiliser provided by the mechanism.

The retaining system may comprise a biasing element configured to maintain engagement of the rack with the pawl.

The biasing element may be configured to ensure that the rack and the pawl maintain engagement to control movement of the mechanism. The biasing element may be connected to the rack. The biasing element may apply a force such as tension on the rack to ensure the rack maintains engagement with the pawl.

The retaining system may be disengageable to release the immobiliser from the holding configuration.

The retaining system may be disengaged to permit movement of the immobiliser from the holding configuration towards the loading configuration, for example, to reset the immobiliser in the loading configuration. The retaining system may be disengaged by applying a force such as tension or extension on the biasing element to disengage the retaining system.

The biasing element may be configurable, for example by a manual operator, to disengage the rack and the pawl to thereby disengage the retaining system. A handle operable to permit the retaining system to be disengaged by a manual operator may be provided. For example, a handle may be provided as part of or connected to the rack and/or a handle may be provided as part of or connected to the biasing element. The handle may be used to apply a force to disengage the rack from the pawl so as to permit movement of the clamping portion from the holding configuration towards the loading configuration.

The mechanism may comprise a moveable support system for supporting a clamping portion relative to the immobiliser. The mechanism may be configured to move the moveable support system to permit movement of the clamping portion between the loading and holding configurations.

The mechanism may comprise a biasing mechanism configured to bias the immobiliser towards the holding configuration. The biasing mechanism may be configured to bias the clamping portion towards the holding configuration.

The biasing mechanism may be configured to apply a force on the moveable support system so that the clamping portion may tend to be moved towards the holding configuration.

The moveable support system may comprise at least one arm connected to the clamping portion and the immobiliser with at least one moveable connector. The at least one moveable connector may be configured to permit relative movement between the clamping portion and the immobiliser.

The moveable support system may comprise at least two spaced-apart arms. Each arm may connect the clamping portion to the immobiliser. One arm may connect a first part of the clamping portion to a first part of the immobiliser. At least one other arm may connect a second, different part of the clamping portion to a second, different part of the immobiliser. Upon being moved between the loading and holding configurations, the arm(s) may move in unison such that the clamping portion may maintain a substantially parallel relationship relative to a side of the immobiliser during the movement. The arm(s) may maintain a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other during the movement. In the loading configuration, the arm(s) may be substantially parallel to the side of the immobiliser. In the holding configuration, the arm(s) may be at an acute or obtuse angle to the side of the immobiliser.

The at least one moveable connector may comprise a pivot for allowing the moveable support system to be pivoted with respect to at least one of: the clamping portion and the immobiliser The arm(s) may be connected to the clamping portion and/or the immobiliser via pivoted connections.

The livestock immobiliser may comprise guard means configured to limit movement of the mechanism to a predetermined range of positions.

The guard means may form part of or be connected to the immobiliser. The guard means may be configured such that, in use, the mechanism and/or the moveable support system may engages the guard means to prevent movement of the mechanism and/or the moveable support system beyond the predetermined range of positions. The guard means may be configured to prevent the clamping portion holding the livestock too tightly in the holding configuration. The guard means may comprise a stop or the like.

The immobiliser may comprise silencing means for reducing loud noises caused by components of the immobiliser impacting each other.

The silencing means may comprise shock absorbing device such as padding configured to absorb the impact between components of the immobiliser. The silencing means may reduce loud noises which may otherwise distress the livestock. The silencing means may be provided on any appropriate part(s) of the immobiliser.

The livestock immobiliser may comprise a wheeled transport system.

The immobiliser may be relatively easy to transport on site due to the wheeled transport system.

The immobiliser may only have mechanical components, which may allow the immobiliser to be used anywhere on site without needing access to electrical energy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for immobilising livestock. The method may comprise allowing livestock to enter an immobiliser in a loading configuration to actuate the immobiliser. The method may comprise moving the immobiliser, with a mechanism, to a holding configuration to immobilise the livestock.

The method may comprise inspecting and/or treating the livestock while the livestock is held by the immobiliser.

The method may comprise opening a side exit of the immobiliser to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser while the immobiliser is in the holding configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a livestock immobiliser having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration. The immobiliser may comprise a side exit to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser while the immobiliser is in the holding configuration.

In use, when the livestock enters the immobiliser, the side exit may be closed. After the livestock has been inspected/treated/operated on, the exit may be opened to allow the livestock to exit the immobiliser from the side. While the livestock is immobilised, it may be difficult to return the immobiliser to the loading configuration to release the livestock. While in the holding configuration, the clamping portion may prevent the livestock being released in the backwards or forwards direction through the immobiliser. By allowing the livestock to be released from the side, the side exit may provide a simple route for the livestock to be quickly released without having to reset the immobiliser to the loading configuration with the livestock in situ. Once the livestock has been released, the clamping portion can be returned to the loading configuration and the exit can be closed so that the immobiliser may load the next livestock for inspection/treatment. The exit may comprise a gate, or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for releasing livestock from a livestock immobiliser having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration. The method may comprise opening a side exit of the immobiliser to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser while the immobiliser is in the holding configuration.

This disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation. As will be appreciated, features associated with particular recited embodiments relating to control systems, or the like, may be equally appropriate as features of embodiments relating specifically to methods of operation or use, and vice versa.

The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 4 schematically depict a sequence of steps in which livestock is immobilised by a livestock immobiliser according to an embodiment, the figures showing a top view of the immobiliser;

Figure 5 schematically depicts further features of the livestock immobiliser of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 schematically depicts a side view a livestock immobiliser according to an embodiment; and

Figures 7 to 13 are photos of different views of a livestock immobiliser according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 4 show a sequence of steps in which livestock 10 such as sheep is immobilised by a livestock immobiliser 12 and subsequently released. For brevity not all or the same features of the immobiliser 12 are shown in Figures 1 to 4 but further features of the immobiliser 12 are described herein.

The immobiliser 12 comprises first and second sides 14a, 14b that define a passageway 16 therebetween. The immobiliser 12 comprises a clamping portion 18 and a mechanism 20 for moving the immobiliser 12 between a loading configuration and a holding configuration. The clamping portion 18 is moveable relative to the first and second sides 14a, 14b to define the loading and holding configurations. In the loading configuration, the clamping portion 18 is located at or proximal to the first side 14a. Upon the immobiliser 12 being actuated by the livestock 10, the clamping portion 18 moves from the first side 14a towards the second side 14b, thereby reducing the width of the passageway 16. The immobiliser 12 immobilises the livestock 10 between the clamping portion 18 and the second side 14b when in the holding configuration due to the reduced width and/or a force applied therebetween.

The immobiliser 12 comprises first means 22 for locking the immobiliser 12 in the loading configuration. In this embodiment, the first means 22 comprises a locking system (not shown but described herein). The first means 22 is configured to lock the clamping portion 18 in the loading configuration. The mechanism 20 is configured to move the immobiliser 12 to the holding configuration upon the first means 22 being unlocked.

The mechanism 20 is configured to unlock the immobiliser 12 in the loading configuration upon the mechanism 20 being self-actuated by the livestock 10. Upon the immobiliser 12 being unlocked, the mechanism 20 moves the immobiliser 12 to the holding configuration.

The clamping portion 18 and the second side 14b comprises cushioning 23 for keeping the livestock 10 comfortable in the holding configuration.

As shown by Figure 1, livestock 10 is allowed to enter the immobiliser 12 in the loading configuration in a forwards direction 24. Upon reaching the mechanism 20, the livestock 10 actuates the mechanism 20, as shown by Figure 2. The mechanism 20 comprises a trigger 26 configured to unlock the first means 22 upon actuation by the livestock contacting the trigger 26. In this embodiment, the trigger 26 comprises a moveable actuator 28 configured to unlock the first means 22 upon the livestock 10 moving the moveable actuator 28 relative to the clamping portion 18.

As shown by Figure 3, the mechanism 20 comprises a moveable support system 21 for supporting the clamping portion 18 relative to the immobiliser 12. As shown by comparing Figures 2 and 3, the mechanism 20 is configured to move the moveable support system 21 to permit movement of the clamping portion 18 between the loading and holding configurations. For clarity, the moveable support system 21 is not shown in Figures 1 and 2, which show the immobiliser 12 in the loading configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the moveable support system 21 is in fact present.

As is also shown by Figure 3, the immobiliser 12 comprises second means 30 for locking immobiliser 12 in the holding configuration, as will be described in further detail herein. The livestock 10 is thus immobilised between the clamping portion 18 and the second side 14b. Once immobilised, the livestock 10 may be inspected, treated and/or any other operation may be performed on the livestock 10.

In this embodiment, the clamping portion 18 is configured to hold one side of the livestock 10 (e.g., rather than two separate moving clamping portions). The second side 14b is a stationary side of the immobiliser 12. Only the clamping portion 18 moves to provide the immobiliser 12 in the holding configuration. As will be appreciated, the immobiliser 12 is configured to hold the sides of the livestock 10 in the holding configuration (e.g., rather than the neck or head of the livestock 10). This may reduce the stress on the livestock 10. By holding the sides of the livestock 10, the immobiliser 12 may immobilise the livestock 10 in a horizontal direction. The horizontal immobilisation may be less distressing for the livestock 10 than a vertical immobilisation.

As shown by Figure 4, the immobiliser 12 comprises a side exit 32 for allowing the livestock 10 to exit from a side (i.e. the second side 14b) of the immobiliser 12. The second side 14b comprises the side exit 32, which in this embodiment is in the form of a gate 34 that is pivotable with respect to the immobiliser 12.

In use, when the livestock 10 enters the immobiliser 12, the side exit 32 may be closed as shown by Figures 1 to 3. After the livestock 10 has been inspected/treated, the exit 32 may be opened as shown by Figure 4 to allow the livestock 10 to exit the immobiliser 12 from the side 14b. While the livestock 10 is immobilised, it may be difficult to return the immobiliser 12 to the loading configuration to release the livestock

10. While in the holding configuration, the clamping portion 18 may prevent the livestock 10 being released in the backwards or forwards direction through the immobiliser 12. By allowing the livestock 10 to be released from the side, the side exit 32 may provide a simple route for the livestock 10 to be quickly released without having to reset the immobiliser 12 to the loading configuration with the livestock 10 in situ. Once the livestock 10 has been released, the clamping portion 18 can be returned to the loading configuration and the side exit 32 can be closed so that the immobiliser 12 may load the next livestock 10 for inspection/treatment.

As shown by Figure 5, the immobiliser 12 comprises silencing means 36 for reducing loud noises caused by components of the immobiliser 12 impacting each other. The silencing means 36 comprises a shock absorbing device 38 such as padding configured to absorb the impact between components of the immobiliser 12. The silencing means 36 may reduce loud noises which may otherwise distress the livestock 10. The silencing means 36 may be provided on any appropriate part(s) of the immobiliser 12. In this embodiment, the silencing means 36 is provided on part of the moveable support system 21.

As shown by Figure 6, the immobiliser 12 comprises a wheeled transport system 40. The immobiliser 12 may be relatively easy to transport on site due to the wheeled transport system 40.

In use, the mechanism 20 may be automatically actuated by the livestock 10 entering the immobiliser 12 e.g., so that the livestock 10 self-actuates the mechanism 20. The automatic actuation by mechanical means may reduce the burden on a manual operator and/or reduce the number of manual operators required when using the immobiliser 12. This may reduce operating costs and/or allow the manual operator(s) to concentrate on inspection/treatment of the livestock 10.

The mechanism 20 may be configured to move the immobiliser 12 to the livestock holding configuration without requiring electrical power or a manual operator to actuate the mechanism 20. The mechanism 20 may be more reliable than a manual operator or an electrically-actuated system due to the relative simple mechanicalnature of the mechanism.

The immobiliser 12 may have a relatively simple construction. The immobiliser may be relatively inexpensive, simple to operate, low-noise during operation and/or simple to service.

Figures 7 to 13 show further features of the immobiliser 12, as described below. The cushioning 23 (see Figure 1) has been removed for clarity, but it will be appreciated that the cushioning 23 can be provided on the immobiliser as described previously.

Figures 7 to 10 are different views showing parts of the mechanism 20 comprising the first means 22. As stated previously, the mechanism 20 comprises a trigger 26 configured to unlock the first means 22 upon actuation by the livestock contacting the trigger 26. In this embodiment, the trigger 26 comprises a moveable actuator 28 configured to unlock the first means 22 upon the livestock 10 moving the moveable actuator 28 relative to the clamping portion 18.

The moveable actuator 28 is pivotably connected to the mechanism 20. Movement of the livestock 10 relative to the moveable actuator 28 pivots the moveable actuator 28 relative to the mechanism 20.

The first means 22 comprises a latch 42 for locking the first means 22. The latch 42 is configured to be unlatched by the trigger 26 to unlock the first means 22.

The trigger 26 comprises a ramped portion 44 configured to unlock the first means, in this case, by unlatching the latch 42.

In this embodiment, the latch 42 comprises a pivoted latch member 46 and a catch 48. The pivoted latch member 46 is engageable with the catch 48 to lock the first means 22. The ramped portion 44 is configured to disengage the pivoted latched member 46 from the catch 48 upon the trigger 26 being actuated by the livestock 10.

The ramped portion 44 of the trigger 26 is configured to pivot the latch member 46 to disengage the latch member 46 from the catch 48. The trigger 26 is configured such that, upon the ramped portion 44 being moved relative to the latch member 46, the ramped portion 44 pivots the latch member 46 out of the catch 48 as the ramped portion 44 moves relative to the latch member 46 to thereby allow the mechanism 20 to move the immobiliser 12 to the holding configuration.

The trigger 26 may be configured to prevent the livestock moving forwards through the passageway 16 to exit the passageway 16. The moveable actuator 28 defines a barrier configured to prevent forward movement of the livestock 10 through the passageway 16 when in the holding configuration. It will be appreciated that the clamping portion 18 may be sufficient on its own to immobilise the livestock 10 without necessarily needing the barrier functionality provided by the moveable actuator 28.

The moveable support system 21 is now described in more detail with reference to at least Figures 3 and 9, 10 and 11.

The mechanism 20 comprises a biasing mechanism 50, which in this embodiment is in the form of a tension spring 52, configured to bias the immobiliser 12 towards the holding configuration. The biasing mechanism 50 is configured to bias the clamping portion 18 towards the holding configuration.

The biasing mechanism 50 is configured to apply a force on the moveable support system 21 so that the clamping portion 18 tends to be moved towards the holding configuration.

The moveable support system 21 comprises four spaced-apart arms 54 connected to the clamping portion 18 and the immobiliser 12 with moveable connectors 56 provided at each end of the arms 54. The moveable connectors 56, which in this embodiment are pivotable, are configured to permit relative movement between the clamping portion 18 and the immobiliser.

Each arm 54 connects a part of the clamping portion 18 to a corresponding part of the immobiliser 18 (in this case, on the first side 14a). Each other arm 54 connects a different part of the clamping portion 18 to a different corresponding part of the immobiliser 12 (in this case, on the first side 14a). Two of the arms 54 are provided towards an entrance end 58 of the immobiliser 12 and are parallel to each other. The other two arms 54 are provided towards an exit end 60 of the immobiliser 12 and are parallel to each other. Upon being moved between the loading and holding configurations, the arms 54 move in unison such that the clamping portion 18 maintains a substantially parallel relationship relative to the sides 14a, 14b of the immobiliser 12 during the movement. The arms 54 also maintain a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other during the movement. In the loading configuration, the arms 54 are substantially parallel to the first and second sides 14a, 14b of the immobiliser 12. In addition, the arms 54 are proximal to the first side 14a. In the holding configuration, the arms 54 are at an obtuse angle to the first side 14a of the immobiliser 12, when viewed from above (as shown by Figures 3 and 4 in particular). Although it will be appreciated that the arms 54 could be at acute angle, depending on the particular configuration of the immobiliser 12 and/or application (e.g. different livestock have different widths so the clamping portion 12 may not travel as far to the holding configuration for all types of livestock).

As shown by Figure 11, the immobiliser 12 comprises guard means 61, which in this embodiment is in the form of a stop 62, configured to limit movement of the mechanism 20 to a predetermined range of positions. The guard means 61 is configured such that, in use, the moveable support system 21 engages the guard means 61 to prevent movement of the moveable support system 21 beyond the predetermined range of positions. The guard means 61 may prevent the clamping portion 18 holding the livestock too tightly in the holding configuration.

As stated previously, second means 30 is provided for locking the immobiliser 12 in the holding configuration. The second means 30 is now described in more detail with particular reference to Figures 11 and 12.

The second means 30 comprises a retaining system 64 configured to lock the second means 30 in the holding configuration. The retaining system 64 is configured to prevent the immobiliser 12 from being moved to the loading configuration while the livestock 10 is in situ. Retaining the immobiliser 12 in the holding configuration and/or preventing the immobiliser 12 from being moved towards the loading configuration may ensure that the immobiliser 12 remains in the holding configuration so as to prevent accidental or unintentional release of the livestock 10 from the immobiliser 12.

The retaining system 64 comprises a ratchet system 66 configured to permit movement of the immobiliser 12 towards the holding configuration. The ratchet system 66 is configured to prevent movement of the clamping portion 18 towards the loading configuration (i.e. after the clamping portion 18 has been moved to the holding configuration).

The ratchet system 66 comprises a rack 68 and a pawl 70 configured to engage the rack 68. The pawl 70 is configured to engage the rack 68 so as to control movement of the mechanism 20. Engagement of the pawl 70 with the rack 68 controls movement of the clamping portion 18 by permitting movement of the clamping portion 18 towards the holding configuration while preventing movement of the clamping portion 18 towards the loading configuration. The rack 68 is pivoted with respect to the immobiliser 12 to accommodate relative movement between the clamping portion 18 and the immobiliser 12 provided by the mechanism 20.

The retaining system 64 comprises a biasing element 72, which in this embodiment is in the form of a tension spring 74, configured to maintain engagement of the rack 68 with the pawl 70 to control movement of the mechanism 20. In this embodiment, the biasing element 72 is connected between the rack 68 and the first side 14a so as to apply a force on the rack 68 to ensure the rack 68 maintains engagement with the pawl 70.

The immobiliser 12 comprises a reset mechanism 76 for unlocking the second means 30, for example, to reset the immobiliser 12 to the loading configuration. In this embodiment, the rack 68 comprises a handle 77 for allowing a manual operator to disengage the retaining system 64, thereby unlocking the second means 30. Applying a force on the handle 76 to stretch the biasing element 72 disengages the pawl 70 and the rack 68 to allow the immobiliser 12 to be returned to the loading configuration.

As previously described in relation to Figure 4 and also shown in particular by Figures 9 and 13, the immobiliser 12 comprises a side exit 32 for allowing the livestock 10 to exit from the second side 14b of the immobiliser 12. The immobiliser 12 comprises a releasable exit mechanism 78 for preventing the side exit 32 from being opened during loading and holding ofthe livestock 10. In this embodiment, the release exit mechanism 78 comprises a plurality of openings 80 provided in a base 82 of the immobiliser for receiving a pole 84 provided in the side exit 32. The pole 84 can be inserted into one of the openings 80 to close/lock the side exit 32. The pole 84 can be removed from the opening 80 so as to open/unlock the side exit 32. The side exit 32 is pivotably connected to the base 82 of the immobiliser 12 to allow the side exit 32 to be opened and closed. The plurality of openings 80 may be used to provide different width settings for the immobiliser 12.

The Applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope ofthe claims. The Applicant indicates that aspects of the disclosure may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A livestock immobiliser or livestock immobiliser apparatus having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration, the immobiliser comprising: a mechanism for moving the immobiliser between the loading and holding configurations, the mechanism being actuatable by livestock entering or moving within the immobiliser in the loading configuration.

2. The livestock immobiliser of claim 1, wherein the immobiliser is a sheep immobiliser, and/or the mechanism is mechanically actuatable such as by a movable actuator.

3. The livestock immobiliser of claim 1 or 2, wherein the immobiliser is configured to hold the sides of the livestock in the holding configuration, optionally between first and second (vertical) sides of the immobiliser.

4. The livestock immobiliser of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the immobiliser comprises a clamping or holding portion configured to hold one side of the livestock, optionally the clamping or holding portion being adjacent, to (or comprising) a/the first side of the immobiliser and movable relative thereto.

5. The livestock immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the immobiliser comprises a side exit for allowing the livestock to exit from a side of the immobiliser, and optionally the side exit is provided at or in a/the second side of the immobiliser.

6. The livestock immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the immobiliser comprises (vertical) cushioning, for example, first and second side cushioning, for holding the livestock in the holding configuration.

7. The livestock immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising first means for locking the immobiliser in the loading configuration, and optionally actuation of the mechanism unlocks the first mechanism.

8. The livestock immobiliser of claim 7, wherein the first means is configured to be unlocked upon actuation by the livestock, optionally by a/the movable actuator which can be provided at or near the end of a (loading) passageway of the immobiliser, and optionally further the movable actuator is disposed on a/the first side of the immobiliser and/or is vertically pivotably moveable relative to a/the first side and/or a/the clamping means.

9. The livestock immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising second means for locking the immobiliser in the holding configuration, and optionally means, such as manually operable means for moving or resetting the immobiliser to the loading configuration..

10. The immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising noise reducing means for reducing loud noises caused by components of the immobiliser impacting each other.

11. The immobiliser of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a wheeled transport system.

12. A method for immobilising livestock the method comprising:

allowing livestock to enter an immobiliser in a loading configuration to actuate the immobiliser; and moving the immobiliser, with a mechanism, to a holding configuration to immobilise the livestock.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising opening a side exit of the immobiliser to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser while the immobiliser is in the holding configuration.

14. A livestock immobiliser, the immobiliser comprising:

a side exit to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser.

15. The livestock immobiliser of claim 14, wherein the immobiliser has a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration, and optionally the side exit permits exiting of livestock while the immobiliser is in the holding configuration.

16. A method for releasing livestock from a livestock immobiliser having a livestock loading configuration and a livestock holding configuration, comprising:

opening a side exit of the immobiliser to permit the livestock to exit the immobiliser.