US3861355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic milker take off assembly
Assignee: Universal Cooperatives Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A milker take off assembly for milking house operation in which a milker is mounted on an adjustable actuator linkage to be moved about three axes of movement permitting positioning of the milker beneath the animal in a milking stall and automatic removal of the same under control of a flow sensor from the milker to remove the milker and move it away from the stall and the animal upon completion of the milking operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kendall R Johnson
- 👤 Arnold R Fjermestad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J5/00; A01J5/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A milker take off assembly comprising a milker having teat cups with a collecting bowl and a milk withdrawal line connected thereto, a source of vacuum pressure, a milk collecting line, three way valve means for connecting the milk withdrawal line to the milk collecting line in one position of the valve means, a mounting assembly for holding the milker in position of usage, said mounting assembly including a shaft portion with a holder portion journaled on the shaft portion for limited rotative movement, spring means for rotating the holder portion on the shaft portion, a pair of linkage means mounted in the holder portion and connected to and mounting the milker to move the milker about two axes of movement toward and away from the holder portion, actuator means mounted in the shaft portion and connected to the linkage means to pivot the linkage means, conduit means connecting the actuator means to the vacuum pressure source through said valve means in another position of operation of the valve means, a flow sensor positioned in the milk collecting line leading from the valve means, and means responsive to the absence of flow through the sensor to energize the valve means to the other position and connect the actuator means of the mounting assembly to the vacuum source of pressure to pivot the linkage means and cause rotation of the holder portion on the shaft portion to move the milker out of a position of usage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A milker take off assembly comprising a milker having teat cups with a collecting bowl and a milk withdrawal line connected thereto, a source of vacuum pressure, a milk collecting line, three way valve means for connecting the milk withdrawal line to the milk collecting line in one position of the valve means, a mounting assembly for holding the milker in position of usage, said mounting assembly including a shaft portion with a holder portion journaled on the shaft portion for limited rotative movement, spring means for rotating the holder portion on the shaft portion, a pair of linkage means mounted in the holder portion and connected to and mounting the milker to move the milker about two axes of movement toward and away from the holder portion, actuator means mounted in the shaft portion and connected to the linkage means to pivot the linkage means, conduit means connecting the actuator means to the vacuum pressure source through said valve means in another position of operation of the valve means, a flow sensor positioned in the milk collecting line leading from the valve means, and means responsive to the absence of flow through the sensor to energize the valve means to the other position and connect the actuator means of the mounting assembly to the vacuum source of pressure to pivot the linkage means and cause rotation of the holder portion on the shaft portion to move the milker out of a position of usage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 1 and including time delay means connected in circuit with the means responsive to the absence of flow through the sensor to delay energization of the valve means to said other position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 2 in which the time delay means is an adjustable time delay means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 1 in which the holder portion of the mounting assembly for the milker is adapted to be manuaLly rotated on the shaft portion to position the milker in a position of usage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 4 in which the holder portion of the mounting assembly includes a spring bias means on the shaft portion held in position by a latch means securing the holder portion on the shaft against rotation and including release means in the holder portion actuated by movement of the linkage to a predetermined position to move the holder portion of the mounting assembly and hence the milker away from the position of usage upon movement of the linkage toward the holder portion and rotation of the shaft portion through the spring bias means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 1 in which the mounting assembly mounts the milker about three axes of movement to provide for movement of the milker between a position of usage and a position of storage with energization of the actuators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 1 in which the flow sensor is a pair of conductive rings with electrical connections thereto leading to the means responsive to the flow sensor for energizing the same.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 7 in which the means responsive to the flow through the sensor is an amplifier means controllably energized by said sensor and operative to energize the valve means to actuate the same to the other position of operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The milker take off assembly of claim 8 and including an adjustable resistor means included in the amplifier means and cooperating with sensor rings to adjust the resistance therein and vary the response of the amplifier means for a different rate of flow through the flow sensor.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |