US3593687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Milking machine support structure
Assignee: HOLM TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT CO
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Filing: 1969-02-10
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A retraction device for automatic withdrawal of a milking claw from milking position in an automated system for the milking of cows. The device includes a support arm for a milking claw, a first adjustable connecting linkage for suspending the arm from the wall of a stall and swinging the arm from a milking position underneath the cow to a laterally withdrawn position outside of the stall. Second adjustable connecting means permit the arm to be moved vertically in the milking position, and a single control is provided to move the arm upwardly as it swings out of the stall. The suspension arm preferably provides for pivotal movement about three parallel vertical axes in the milking position so that the milking claw may move freely with the cow while it is vertically supported by the arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Clegg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:49
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J5/00; A01J5/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the floor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means for supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area under a cow and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area and positioned vertically above said milking position; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, and; control means for operating said first adjustable connecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the floor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means for supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area under a cow and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area and positioned vertically above said milking position; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, and; control means for operating said first adjustable connecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
258 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the floor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means fur supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area above said floor and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area, and; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, in which said first adjustable connecting means includes a sleeve telescopically surrounding said arm with said arm rotatable in said sleeve about a generally vertical axis when said arm is in said milking position and in which said arm comprises an elongated rigid portion extending through said sleeve and a link portion pivotally connected to said rigid portion at a second pivot axis which is generally parallel to said vertical axis with said link portion pivotally connected to said claw at a third pivot axis which is spaced away from said second axis generally parallel to said vertical axis and said second axis whereby when said arm is in said milking position said claw can move freely with said cow while receiving vertical support from said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
258 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the floor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means fur supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area above said floor and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area, and; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, in which said first adjustable connecting means includes a sleeve telescopically surrounding said arm with said arm rotatable in said sleeve about a generally vertical axis when said arm is in said milking position and in which said arm comprises an elongated rigid portion extending through said sleeve and a link portion pivotally connected to said rigid portion at a second pivot axis which is generally parallel to said vertical axis with said link portion pivotally connected to said claw at a third pivot axis which is spaced away from said second axis generally parallel to said vertical axis and said second axis whereby when said arm is in said milking position said claw can move freely with said cow while receiving vertical support from said arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second adjustable connecting means comprises means for raising and lowering said sleeve while said arm is in said milking position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 3 characterized further in that said first adjustable connecting means includes pivotal linkage means interconnecting said sleeve and said vertical support means for swinging said sleeve from a vertical position in the milking position of said arm outwardly away from said milking area to move said arm to said withdrawn position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 4 characterized further in that said pivotal linkage means of said first adjustable connecting means includes a first hydraulic cylinder, and said means for raising and lowering said sleeve in said second adjustable connecting means includes a second hydraulic cylinder, and said apparatus further includes single control means connected to said first and second hydraulic cylinders for operating said cylinders simultaneously to raise said sleeve and swing said sleeve outwardly from said vertical position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the flOor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means for supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area above said floor and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, and; single control means, adapted to be operated automatically, and connected to said first and second adjustable connecting means for simultaneously moving said claw vertically upwardly and moving said arm from said milking position to said withdrawn position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a milking installation having a cow-milking area with a floor and structural support means above the flOor and a milking claw adjacent to said milking area for attachment to the udder of a cow in said milking area, the improved means for supporting said claw which comprises: an elongated arm adapted to be connected to said claw at one end thereof and extending upwardly from said claw; first adjustable connecting means interconnecting said arm and said structural support means for moving said arm between a milking position with said claw positioned in said milking area above said floor and a withdrawn position with said claw laterally withdrawn from said milking area; second adjustable connecting means for moving said claw generally vertically while said arm is in said milking position, and; single control means, adapted to be operated automatically, and connected to said first and second adjustable connecting means for simultaneously moving said claw vertically upwardly and moving said arm from said milking position to said withdrawn position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |