US3661259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chick sorting and counting apparatus
Assignee: Beak-O-Vac Inc
•
Filing: 1970-06-17
•
Granted: 1972-05-09
•
Expires: 1990-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for supporting a chicken vaccination device and for facilitating a sorting of the male and female baby chicks into separate trays subsequent to the vaccination thereof, which additionally provides a system for counting the chick as they are deposited into each of the respective trays and actuating an alarm device for indicating to the operator or vaccine administrator that a tray contains a pre-determined number of chicks and accordingly, that a new tray must be substituted therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lamar W Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
Apparatus for sorting and counting chicks or the like comprising; a support stand a supporting shelf mounted on said stand, said shelf sloping downwardly from its rear edge to its forward edge and adapted to receive a tray of chicks; a pair of downwardly tapering chutes mounted on the forward edge of said shelf, said chutes adjoining each other at one of their upper edges and extending thence downwardly and away from each other to provide a V-shaped space between them, a light source located near the open bottom of said space, an opening in each chute wall adjacent said light source, a photocell located in the opposite wall of each chute, opposite said light source, whereby a beam of light will be projected across each chute to a photocell and will be interrupted by the passage of a chick down the chute, two trays supported on said supPort stand below and one on each side of said supporting shelf, each of said chutes delivering chicks to one of said trays, a counter associated with each of said photocells and adapted to be actuated whenever the light ray in the chute with which said photocell is associated is broken by the passage of a chick and a warning signal adapted to be actuated by said counter when a predetermined number of chicks have passed down said chute and into the tray associated therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
Apparatus for sorting and counting chicks or the like comprising; a support stand a supporting shelf mounted on said stand, said shelf sloping downwardly from its rear edge to its forward edge and adapted to receive a tray of chicks; a pair of downwardly tapering chutes mounted on the forward edge of said shelf, said chutes adjoining each other at one of their upper edges and extending thence downwardly and away from each other to provide a V-shaped space between them, a light source located near the open bottom of said space, an opening in each chute wall adjacent said light source, a photocell located in the opposite wall of each chute, opposite said light source, whereby a beam of light will be projected across each chute to a photocell and will be interrupted by the passage of a chick down the chute, two trays supported on said supPort stand below and one on each side of said supporting shelf, each of said chutes delivering chicks to one of said trays, a counter associated with each of said photocells and adapted to be actuated whenever the light ray in the chute with which said photocell is associated is broken by the passage of a chick and a warning signal adapted to be actuated by said counter when a predetermined number of chicks have passed down said chute and into the tray associated therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said support stand comprises two telescoping sections and means for securing them in adjusted positions to vary the height of said stand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said supporting shelf comprises a vertical portion secured to said stand and a forwardly and downwardly extending arm at each end of said vertical portion, and wherein each of said arms is provided on its upper surface with a lug adapted to engage a leg or the like on the rear of a tray to restrain forward movement of said tray.
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) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |