CATTLE RESTRAINING DEVICE

DISPOSITIF DE RETENTION DE BOVINS DURANT LA MISE BAS

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for restraining cattle, i.e., a cow during calving
includes a pair of gates pivotally mounted on a wall for movement into
and out of parallel, cattle restraining relationship to each other. One
of the gates is longer than the other, and can be locked in one position.
The second gate can be releasably connected to the first gate by chains
extending between the gates. Both gates are provided with removable
portions for facilitating access to the cow.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A cattle restraining device comprising first and second gate
means; means for pivotally mounting one end of each said first and second
gate means on a wall for rotation around a vertical axis, whereby the
first and second gate means can be independently rotated into and out of
parallel, cattle restraining relationship to each other; lock means for
locking the other end of said first gate means in a fixed position; chain
means for releasably connecting said first gate means to said second gate
means for retaining the first and second gate means in the cattle re-
straining position.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein each said first and
second gate means includes a plurality of spaced apart, vertical posts;
a plurality of horizontal bars interconnecting said posts; and means re-
movably mounting at least some of said horizontal bars between said posts.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said first or second
gate means are of different lengths.

Description

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This invention relates to a device for restraining cattle,
and in particular to a restraining device for use during calving.
The only presently available cattle restraining devices are
large, complicated structures which are not suited for calving purposes.
The object of the present invention is to meet the above
mentioned need by providing a relatively simple, inexpensive cattle
restraining device, which can readily be installed in a barn or other
building by any cattleman.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a cattle
restraining device comprising first and second gate means; means for
pivotally mounting one end of each of said first and second gate means
on a wall for rotation around a vertical axis, whereby the first and
second gate means can be independently rotated into and out of parallel,
cattle restraining relationship to each other; lock means for locking
the other end of said first gate means in a fixed position; chain means
for releasably connecting said first gate means to said second gate means
for retaining the first and second gate means in the cattle restraining
position.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred
embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cattle restraining device
in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1 in use.
With reference to the drawing, the cattle restraining device
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of the present invention includes a pair of gates generally indicated
at 1 and 2. Each gate 1 and 2 is defined by a plurality of posts 3, 4,
and 5, which are interconnected by spaced apart horizontal bars 6. In
the preferred embodiment, SQ that access to a cow can readily be gained,
gates 1 and 2 are of different lengths. Additionally, to facilitate
access, some of the bars are removably mount~d between adjacent posts 3
and for such purpose, a pair of vertically spaced apart lugs 7 are pro-
vided on the posts 3 and 4. The bars 6 rest on the lowermost lugs 7,
and pins 8 are inserted through aligned holes (not shown) in the lugs 7
and bars 6. Thus, the ends of the bars 6 are releasably mounted on the
lugs 7 for easy removal and replacement.
Each gate 1 and 2 is pivotally mounted on a wall 9 or other
structure by means of sockets 10 and brackets 11. The sockets, which
are open at their bottom ends and closed at their top ends, are welded
onto the posts 5. The brackets 11, which are merely L-shaped rods on
flat plates, are mounted on the wall 9. One end 13 of each of three
chains 14 is connected to one gate 1. The other end 15 of each chain 14
can be releasably connected to hooks 16 on the other gate 2 for maintain-
ing the gates 1 and 2 parallel to each other, i.e., when a cow 17 is
therebetween (Figure 2).
The gate 1 can be locked in one position perpendicular to
the wall 9 by means of a post 18, which is separate from the gate 1 and
a latch 19 mounted on the gate. The post 18 is mounted in the floor of
a barn or in the ground at a distance from the wall 9 which is slightly
greater than the length of the gate 1. The latch 19 is a sliding bolt
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type lock, bolt 20 of which slides into a hole (not shown) in the post 18.
When the device is not in use, the gates 1 and 2 can rest
against the wall. It is also possible to mount the post 18 in a buried
socket or the like (not shown), so that the post is removable. When the
device is to be used, the gate 1 is swung to the position shown in the
drawings, and the bolt 20 is slid into the post 18 to lock the gate 1 in
the in use position. The cow is maneuvered into position (Figure 2), and
the gate 2 is swung into position parallel to the gate 1. The gates 1
and 2 are locked together by placing the ends 15 of the chains 14 on the
hooks 16.
Because at least some of the bars 6 are removable, the device
described above permits easy access to a restrained cow. The freedom to
rotate one or both gates is important during calving. When a calf is
being pulled with a so-called calf puller, there is no way to determine
in advance which way the cow will fall on her side.
While the use of the device has been described with reference
to calving, it will be appreciated that the device can be used to restrain
bulls or calves for medical or other treatment. The device, as illus-
trated is mounted on a wall. The "wall" in this case may, in fact, be
a wall, a fence, or any other stable structure.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the
foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed
as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in
the art, the manner of carrying out the invention. It is further under-

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stood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to
be taken as the presently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be
made in the shape, size and general arrangement of components, for example,
equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described
herein, parts may be used independently of the use of other features, all
as will be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefits
of the description of the invention.