Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Animal relocating – loading or unloading
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-04-10
Price, Thomas (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Animal relocating, loading or unloading
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213058
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an animal chute with animal-actuated locking gates that allows data to be gathered while the animal is detained in the chute. After data gathering, the gates will open to allow the animal to access a second area. The chute is also equipped with a safety feature of a breakaway panel which releases upon application of pressure from the animal.
It is common practice in the livestock industry to closely monitor the weight and other data concerning one's animals. This information is used for various purposes such as segregation based upon a predetermined weight which will provide a maximum financial return under prevailing market conditions. Various conventional devices have been developed for monitoring and sorting animals. However, many of the conventional devices are relatively expensive or are relatively labor intensive and often require several operators.
Therefore, a device is desired which would allow automated and/or animal-actuated monitoring and mechanical separation of animals into segregated areas. It is also desirable to have a device wherein the animals cannot easily exit the device in either direction until the data collection process is complete. It is also important not to overly arouse the animals so they will not injure themselves, to minimize dangerous parts common in conventional devices, and to provide an escape means which the animal can use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The chute of the present invention, is animal-actuated. This allows the animal to push its way though the chute, and no person is needed to open or close the gates. Alternatively, the chute may be equipped with sensors, such as infrared beams, which will signal the gates to open for the animal, so the animal need not push on the gates to activate them. The gates may be operated via any mechanism, e.g., the preferred embodiment uses a linkage system. More preferably, the linkage system is moved by an electric linear actuator. The gate functions can be controlled by a programmable logic controller. When the animal enters the chute, the front and rear gates lock. Once inside, data can be gathered, such as identification of the animal, weight, time of day, how much feed it has eaten, etc. Data can be gathered manually, but preferably automatically, e.g., identification of the animal can be accomplished with the use of radio frequency reader panels mounted to each end of the chute which read radio frequency ear tags on the animals, and weight can be determined by a scale. The data is recorded. This can be done with a personal computer. Once the data is transmitted to the personal computer, the data is easily stored and/or analyzed. After data gathering, the chute will release the animal. The animal-actuated chute could also be used for vaccination or other purposes. The device also includes a safety gate which allows the animal to escape, should it become scared. The side panel of the chute is held in place with a breakaway latch but releases when pressure is put on it like an animal kicking it. The safety gate will fall away and allow the animal to reenter the population. The panel then is replaced, manually. Alternatively, the panel could be designed to automatically reset once the animal is released. The chute is designed to be placed between a feeding and/or watering area and the rest of the pen so that when the animal wants to eat or drink, it must go through the chute. The chute is also designed so that it may work with a series of gates which would allow it to work with two or more pens, so as to not mix the animals.
The chute can be associated with one divided pen or segregation area or a multiplicity of pens for directing the animals to desired locations based on the data collected. One or multiple areas may be located at either end of the device.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an animal chute wherein animals may self-actuate the gates, and the gates automatically lock and unlock in order to detain the animal long enough to collect data and then allow the animal to continue passing through the chute.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can automatically monitor animals without the need for human labor or intervention.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used to facilitate segregation of animals based on particular criteria.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
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Davis Brown Law Firm
Herink Kent A.
Hofmeyer Timothy G.
Price Thomas
Sioux Automation Center, Inc.
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