US3908599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated gathering pen for livestock
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An animal corral for the prodding movement of livestock from an animal receiving station to an animal processing station is disclosed. The pen includes paired, parallel, elongate pen sides extending between a livestock receiving station at one end and a livestock processing station at the other end. A gate is typically mounted to move between the sides from the livestock receiving station to the livestock processing station. A continuous loop of reeving running the full length of the corral sides drives the moveable gate on both sides where it is adjacent to the paired, elongate corral sides. The loop is powered by a driving mechanism which includes a specialized transmission. This transmission provides power for the ordinary unobstructed movement of the gate and acts to sense when the gate encounters resistance to forward motion, such as that resistance provided by contacting recalcitrant livestock within the pen. The sensing of the motor is accomplished by a power-sensing means which connects to appropriate circuitry to interrupt the forward movement of the fence for a preselected interval of time. At the end of this interval of time, forward sweeping movement of the gate recommences. Through sequential stop and start movements of the gate, prodding of the livestock within the pen from the animal receiving station to the animal processing station occurs. This invention relates to livestock corrals and more particularly to a livestock corral for sweeping animals from a receiving station to a processing station.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J Flocchini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:09
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K3/00; A01K1/00; A01K1/0005; A01K1/0017; A01K1/0029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel, elongate sides extending between said ends, a gate moveable between both said sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said animal processing station, means coupling said gate to said sides for moveable support of said gate, and running rigging to effect the sweeping movement of said gate, the improved driving mechanism, comprising a motor, means for driving said running rigging to move said gate, a transmission between said driving means and said motor for transmitting power to said driving means to drive said running rigging to move said gate, means for mechanically sensing power transmitted by said transmission operably connected to said transmission, said power sensing means sensing power transmitted by said transmission exceeding that normally required to drive said gate, and means for interrupting operation of said motor for a preselected period of time, including a timer having an adjustable period operatively connected to said power sensing means to thereby stop sweeping movement of said gate for said preselected period of time when said gate strikes an obstacle during said sweep of said pen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel, elongate sides extending between said ends, a gate moveable between both said sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said animal processing station, means coupling said gate to said sides for moveable support of said gate, and running rigging to effect the sweeping movement of said gate, the improved driving mechanism, comprising a motor, means for driving said running rigging to move said gate, a transmission between said driving means and said motor for transmitting power to said driving means to drive said running rigging to move said gate, means for mechanically sensing power transmitted by said transmission operably connected to said transmission, said power sensing means sensing power transmitted by said transmission exceeding that normally required to drive said gate, and means for interrupting operation of said motor for a preselected period of time, including a timer having an adjustable period operatively connected to said power sensing means to thereby stop sweeping movement of said gate for said preselected period of time when said gate strikes an obstacle during said sweep of said pen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said driving means includes a pair of sheeves operably connected to said motor to power said running rigging.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said transmission means includes a first sprocket mounted on said sheeves, a second sprocket mounted on said motor, and a chain carried by said sprockets to transmit power from said motor to said sheeves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said power sensing means includes at least one lever pivotally mounted adjacent said chain, one end of which impinges against said chain and the other end of which communicates with said interrupting means, so that when said chain is placed under tension by increased torque of said motor, said lever will be moved to activate said interrUpting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
271 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel elongate sides extending between said ends, a gate moveable between both said sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said animal processing station, said gate having a first gate end and an opposite second gate end, means coupling said first and second gate ends to said sides for moveable support of said gate, and rigging to effect the sweeping movements of said gate, an improved rigging system comprising a continuous and endless loop, composed of at least two side-by-side cable strands, one segment of said loop having side-by-side strands rigged along the length of one of the respective sides, another segment of said loop having side-by-side strands rigged along the lengths of the other of the respective sides; and one of said strands of said endless loop being wound about at least one sheave mounted to said pen; and means for driving said sheave to move adjacent side-by-side strands of said endless loop in opposite directions; and said gate ends, fastened to commonly moving strands with one gate end fixed to one strand of one segment of said loop and the other gate end fixed to one strand of another segment of said loop so that when said sheave is driven, said gate ends will be moved equally by equal motion of said endless loop strands on opposite sides of said corral to sweep said gate forward or backward evenly and without binding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
271 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel elongate sides extending between said ends, a gate moveable between both said sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said animal processing station, said gate having a first gate end and an opposite second gate end, means coupling said first and second gate ends to said sides for moveable support of said gate, and rigging to effect the sweeping movements of said gate, an improved rigging system comprising a continuous and endless loop, composed of at least two side-by-side cable strands, one segment of said loop having side-by-side strands rigged along the length of one of the respective sides, another segment of said loop having side-by-side strands rigged along the lengths of the other of the respective sides; and one of said strands of said endless loop being wound about at least one sheave mounted to said pen; and means for driving said sheave to move adjacent side-by-side strands of said endless loop in opposite directions; and said gate ends, fastened to commonly moving strands with one gate end fixed to one strand of one segment of said loop and the other gate end fixed to one strand of another segment of said loop so that when said sheave is driven, said gate ends will be moved equally by equal motion of said endless loop strands on opposite sides of said corral to sweep said gate forward or backward evenly and without binding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 5 including an additional sheeve for taking up and paying out a second portion of the middle of said loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein connection of said endless loop to said gate ends includes damping means for easing impact upon said driving means when said gate impacts with an obstacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel elongated sides extending between said ends, a gate movable between both sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said processing station, means coupling said gates to said sides for movable support of said gate, and running rigging to effect the sweeping movement of said gate, and an improved driving mechanism, wherein the improvement comprises: a motor; means for driving said running rigging coupled to said motor; said driving means including a belt between said drive means and said motor for transmitting power to said driving means to drive said running rigging to move said gate; means for mechanically sensing power transmitted by said belt including at least one lever mounted adjacent said belt, said lever having one of its ends impinging against said belt; means for interrupting operation of said motor operatively connected to said lever such that when said belt is placed under tension said lever will move causing interruption of the operation of said motor to stop the sweeping movement of said gate when said gate strikes an obstacle during the sweep of said pen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an animal gathering pen of the type having one of its ends terminating in an animal receiving station, another of its ends terminating in an animal processing station, a pair of parallel elongated sides extending between said ends, a gate movable between both sides for sweeping animals within the pen from said receiving station to said processing station, means coupling said gates to said sides for movable support of said gate, and running rigging to effect the sweeping movement of said gate, and an improved driving mechanism, wherein the improvement comprises: a motor; means for driving said running rigging coupled to said motor; said driving means including a belt between said drive means and said motor for transmitting power to said driving means to drive said running rigging to move said gate; means for mechanically sensing power transmitted by said belt including at least one lever mounted adjacent said belt, said lever having one of its ends impinging against said belt; means for interrupting operation of said motor operatively connected to said lever such that when said belt is placed under tension said lever will move causing interruption of the operation of said motor to stop the sweeping movement of said gate when said gate strikes an obstacle during the sweep of said pen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 8, wherein said stopping means comprises at least one limit switch which terminates power to said motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 8, wherein said stopping means includes a timer and a time delay relay cooperative with said timer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3703884A
Cited
US3805741A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |