US3672335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for gathering and confining live poultry
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A mobile self-propelled gathering device is manually guided through an area having live birds therein. Pushing means is provided at the forward end of the gathering device and engages the birds from above and pushes the birds rearwardly onto a conveyor means which extends upwardly and rearwardly for conveying the birds away from the pushing means. The birds are discharged at the upper rear portion of the conveyor means downwardly onto a generally horizontally extending conveyor portion which in turn conveys the birds to a further conveyor portion extending to a vehicle from whence the birds are removed from the conveyor portion and placed in suitable shipping contains on the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Dickerson H Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:47
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K45/00; A01K45/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of gathering live birds comprising moving a gathering device through an area having live birds therein, engaging the birds with a portion of said gathering device and pushing the birds bodily onto a conveying means, conveying the birds away from said portion of the gathering device, moving the birds to a location remote from said gathering device and confining said birds at said remote location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of gathering live birds comprising moving a gathering device through an area having live birds therein, engaging the birds with a portion of said gathering device and pushing the birds bodily onto a conveying means, conveying the birds away from said portion of the gathering device, moving the birds to a location remote from said gathering device and confining said birds at said remote location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of selectively manually controlling the position of said gathering device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the birds are held down while being pushed bodily onto said conveying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the birds are pushed from above.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the portion of said gathering device engaging the birds engages the birds resiliently so as to prevent damage to the birds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of engaging the birds with a plurality of spaced members so as to gently penetrate a group of packed birds to prevent damage thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the birds are separated from one another when conveyed away from said portion of the gathering device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the birds are moved away from said portion at a speed greater than the speed at which the birds are pushed onto the conveying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the birds are conveyed upwardly away from said portion of the gathering device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of placing the birds in shipping containers at said remote location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for gathering and conveying poultry birds comprising a gathering device, said gathering device including a mobile support portion, means for manually controlling the position and location of said movable support portion, poultry contacting and pushing means supported at the forward end of said support portion for engaging birds, drive means for driving said pushing means in a direction to engage and gather the birds and push them rearwardly of the gathering device, and conveyor means supported by said support portion, said conveyor means including a leading edge adjacent to the rearwardmost path of movement of said pushing means to receive birds from the pushing means and to move the birds away from the pushing means and means to confine said poultry birds after they have been moved.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for gathering and conveying poultry birds comprising a gathering device, said gathering device including a mobile support portion, means for manually controlling the position and location of said movable support portion, poultry contacting and pushing means supported at the forward end of said support portion for engaging birds, drive means for driving said pushing means in a direction to engage and gather the birds and push them rearwardly of the gathering device, and conveyor means supported by said support portion, said conveyor means including a leading edge adjacent to the rearwardmost path of movement of said pushing means to receive birds from the pushing means and to move the birds away from the pushing means and means to confine said poultry birds after they have been moved.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said movable support portion includes wheels and power means whereby the movable support portion is self-propelled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said pushing means includes a plurality of spaced resilient portions to prevent damage to the birds when engaging the birds.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said pushing means includes a plurality of pivotally mounted spaced arms, and means resiliently biasing said arms in one direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said arms are moved along a circular path for engaging birds from above.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said pushing means includes a plurality of spaced members, said spaced members being mounted for free swinging movement in a rearward direction and being held against swinging movement in the opposite direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said pushing means includes a reciprocating portion adapted to reciprocate in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the gathering device, said spaced members being swingably supported on said reciprocating portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said pushing means includes a resilient body having a plurality of projections extending therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said pushing means includes an endless belt having a plurality of spaced projections formed thereon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said conveyor means is inclined upwardly and rearwardly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said conveyor means is moved at a faster linear speed than the linear speed of movement of said pushing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 including a discharge portion supported by said support means and disposed adjacent the upper rear portion of said conveyor means for discharging birds downwardly from said conveyor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 22 including further conveyor means comprising a first conveyor portion having a part thereof positioned beneath said discharge portion for receiving birds therefrom.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said first conveyor portion is pivotally connected at one end thereof to said gathering device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 24 including a second conveyor portion adapted to extend to a vehicle, the opposite end of said first conveyor portion being movably operatively interconnected with said second conveyor portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |