Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FEEDING FENCE FOR CATIi.E
The invention relates to a feeding fence intended
for animals of a specific category of livestock. This
category can for instance be dairy cattle, fatting
calves, pigs, beef cattle and the like. Feeding fences
are made and supplied which are specially intended for
each of these specific categories, since the dimensions
of the animals in each category can vary considerably.
Such a feeding fence is normally formed by at least
one beam on which a number of standing bars is arranged.
A feeding location for an animal is bounded in each case
between a pair of these bars. The animal can place its
head between the pair of bars and thus reach fodder lying
on the other side of the fence. Usually arranged at the
position of each pair of bars is a catching bar which, as
soon as the animal pushes its head through the opening,
is pressed by the animal itself into a closed position.
The fence is further provided with locking means with
which this catching bar can be locked in the closed
position so that the animal secures itself in the feeding
fence.
In the last decades developments of these feeding
fences have been focussed mainly on improving the locking
means and options for enabling individual release of an
animal from the feeding fence. The comfort of the animals
has hereby been increased.
The feeding fence according to the invention as
characterized in claim 1 results in a further increase in
the comfort of the animals and moreover prevents physical
damage. Because the bars have a curved form adapted to
the brisket of the animals, these bars lie against the
brisket of the animal along a greater length so that a
lower surface pressure results. Due to the absence of
collarbones in quadrupeds straight bars can be pressed
quite deeply into the muscle tissue of the animal when it
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reaches a long way to get hold of fodder, with the
possible consequence of tissue damage. Such damage is
prevented in effective manner with the invention.
The measure of claim 2 is preferably applied. The
pressure force exerted by the animals is directed
transversely of the fence so that the outward curving of
the bars provides an optimal pressure distribution, while
the animals are nevertheless restrained in reliable
manner.
The feeding fence according to the invention can be
embodied with fixed bars but in accordance with a very
favourable further development the measure of claim 3 is
applied. The formed bars can thus function themselves as
catching bars, so that the animals can secure themselves
in the fence. Not only is the above described advantage
of good positioning of the bar against the brisket of the
animal thus achieved but a practically noise-free
operation is also obtained. In principle the rotation of
the bars takes place silently, in contrast to the
disturbing loud banging noises occurring during operation
of the prior art swivel bars.
The fence preferably comprises locking means for
releasable locking of the bars in the closed position. In
this way the animals can be secured in a desired
position. These locking means can be operated
individually and/or collectively, so that animals can be
secured or, conversely, released at one or more feeding
locations as required.
According to another preferred embodiment the
feeding fence is provided with means for detecting the
presence of an animal at the feeding location. Such
detecting means can be connected to a central livestock
control computer and in this manner simplify the control
of the different processes in a stall, such as timely
feeding, milking and the like of the livestock.
The invention also relates to locking means for use
in a feeding fence as described above.
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Further
advantages
of the
invention
and of
the
specific measures stated in the sub-claims will become
apparent from the following description with reference to
the annexed
figures.
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a feeding fence
according to a first embodiment of the
invention during use,
Fig. 2 shows a view corresponding with fig. 1 of a
feeding fence according to a further developed
embodiment,
Fig. 3 is a partial front view of the feeding fence of
fig. 2,
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the part of the
feeding fence shown in fig. 3 during use,
Fig. shows a view corresponding with fig. 3 of the
5
feeding fence with means for detecting the
presence of an animal, and
Fig. 6,7 and 8 show partly cut-away perspective views of
different embodiments of locking means for
the feeding fence of fig. 2.
Feeding fence 1 shown in fig. 1 is intended fox a
specific category of livestock, in this case dairy cattle
A. The dimensions of dairy cattle lie within relatively
narrow limits, so that feeding fence 1 can be readily
adapted to animals of this category.
Feeding fence 1 comprises a frame 3 on which is
arranged a lower beam 4 of the feeding fence. On this
lower beam are arranged a number of pairs of bars 5,6
which define a feeding location 7 therebetween. The
mutually adjacent bars of contiguous feeding locations
are connected to each other and connected with an
additional intermediate bar to lower beam 4 to form a
sturdy whole.
At each feeding location is arranged a swivel bar 8
which in the manner further known from so-called Swedish
feeding fences can secure the animal 2 with its head in
feeding location 7. This swivel bar 8, which can swivel
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on lying shaft 9, is provided with an operating part 1
which protrudes into the space between bars 5,6 and can
be pressed aside by animal A, whereby bar 8 is swivelled
to its closing position.
As shown clearly in fig. 1, the pairs of bars 5,6
have a curved shape adapted to the brisket B of animals
A, i.e. when animal A reaches with its head H through
feeding fence 1, particularly to get hold of fodder lying
on the other side, the bars 5,6 lie close-fittingly
against its brisket B. Because the mutual variations in
animals of a specific category of livestock are
relatively small, practically any animal A of this
category will be able to support comfortably against each
pair of bars 5,6.
As the figure shows, the pair of bars 5,6 is curved
forward out of the vertical plane through the vertical
plane through lower beam 4. In the direction of this
plane the mutual distance between bars 5,6 of each
feeding location 7 is practically constant. The outward
curved form of bars 5,6 is particularly chosen here such
that the forward protruding bend 10 corresponds with the
so-called chest of cow A. The chest is in fact the
shoulder joint which is recognizable as forward
protruding parts in the brisket B of animal A.
Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the feeding fence 11
according to the invention wherein the curved bars 15,16
are rotatable on a substantially vertical axis. Feeding
fence 11 here comprises a frame 13 on which are arranged
respectively a lower beam 14 and an upper beam 18. Bars
15,16 extend between this upper beam 18 and lower beam
14 .
Formed once again between each pair of bars 15,16 is
a feeding location 17 where an animal A can place its
head H through feeding fence 11 in order to consume
fodder lying on the other side of fence 11.
Bars 15,16 are rotatable as according to arrow P
between an open position and a closed position which
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substantially corresponds with the position of curved
bars 5,6 in feeding fence 1 of fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows two mutually contiguous feeding
locations 17,17', each bounded by two bars. The right-
s hand feeding location 17 is bounded by bars 15,16 and
left-hand feeding location 17' is bounded by bars 25',
16'.
In fig. 3 bars 15 and 16 are in an open position in
which the outward curved parts 20 are directed toward
each other and bars 15',16' are in a closed position in
which these outward curved parts 20 are moved away from
each other and lie roughly parallel adjacently of each
other. In the closed position of bars 15',16' the outward
curved. parts 20 are situated in front of the vertical
axis V round which the bars are rotatable. This vertical
axis V extends through the ends of the relevant bar
received in respectively lower beam 14 and upper beam 18.
As fig. 3 shows, the bars have in the upper portion
a bend 19 which is in opposing direction to the outward
curved part 20. In the open position these bars 15,16 of
a pair hereby form a large head opening 12 into which
animal A can place its head H without problem. It will be
apparent that with a suitably curved shape these bars
15,16 can define a large head opening 12 such that cows
provided with ear tags can also insert their head H
through this opening without problem.
When animal A has place its head H through opening
12, it will move its head H downward to reach the fodder
lying behind fence 11. It herein pushes apart the outward
curved parts 20 with its neck and bars 15,16 thus swivel
from the shown open position into the closed position
shown with pair 15',16'. This is shown in fig. 4. At the
left-hand feeding location 17 animal A is just placing
its head H through opening 12 and at the right-hand
feeding location 17' animal A' is already moving its head
H' downward, wherein bars 15',16' are swivelled into the
closed position.
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In addition to the rotation of bars 15,16 by
downward movement of the neck of animal A, bars 15,16 are
also held in the closed position when animal A presses
with its brisket B against the outward curved parts 20.
In this embodiment of the invention the closed position
is thus a stable position which is only further enhanced
by animal A when it pushes against the bars. When the
head H of animal A is withdrawn it will also exert a
force on bars 15,16 at the position of the parts 19 of
these bars 15,16 curved to the other side and thus also
enhance the closed position.
The upper part 19 of bars 15,16 can optionally be
curved in two planes i.e. such that in the closed
position the upper parts of the bars lie slightly closer
together than the other part, as shown in dashed lines on
the left in fig. 3. The passage at the position of the
neck of animal A is hereby narrowed, whereby smaller
animals will also be properly restrained. The animals
will withdraw with straightened necks so that bars 15,16
come to lie properly against the rear of the head H of
animal A.
At the position of outward curved parts 20 the bars
15,16 can suitably be flattened slightly such that these
come to lie flat against the corresponding parts of
brisket B of animal A. These outward curved parts 20 can
also be provided with a soft, for instance rubber-like,
covering.
As stated, each feeding location 17 can be provided
With means 21,21',21" for detecting the presence of an
animal at the feeding location. In the illustrated
example are shown three possible embodiments of these
detecting means 21, application of which is subject to
the identification system for the animals which is used.
When each animal is provided with a collar with a
transmitter/receiver which approaches close to lower beam
14 of feeding fence 11, a horizontal antenna 25 can be
placed thereon which is connected to a central line 22
which couples the antenna to a livestock control system.
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It is thus possible to determine at a central location
where, when and for how long an animal A stands at
feeding fence 11. It is then possible for instance to
automatically confine animal A or, conversely, release it
by remote operation of the locking means to be discussed
below at the relevant feeding location 17.
If animal A is identified by means of a plastic ear
tag or ear number, a chip can be moulded therein, in
which case it would be more logical to position antenna
23 close to the top side of bars 15,16 and on the outside
thereof, as shown on the right in figure 5. If on the
other hand a chip is arranged internally in or close to
the ear of animal A, a positioning of antennas 24 further
to the inside, as shown on the left in figure 5, can
provide better results.
Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of locking means 30
with which bars 15,16 can be-locked in the closed
position. It is generally the case for these locking
means that they must be adapted to perform a number of
diverse functions.
The locking means should therefore preferably have a
neutral position in which the rotating bars 15,16 are
freely movable and animals A can place their head H
therebetween and withdraw it again. In addition, the
locking means must preferably be centrally lockable as
well as centrally releasable. The central locking
function must be embodied herein such that, when an
animal A places its head H between bars 15,16 at a random
feeding location 17, the bars are automatically locked
after rotation thereof.
It must preferably also be possible to lock and
release the locking means per feeding location as well as
centrally. In this manner an animal A standing along
feeding fence 11 can also be individually secured or
released, for instance because this is the only animal
which has to be treated or, on the contrary, not treated.
The locking means must further be adapted to enable
central closing without animals A placing their head H
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through bar 15,16. This is important for instance when
fodder is distributed in the fodder passageway and it is
undesirable for the head H of animals A to be in the
proximity of the tractor and fodder mixing wagon.
Finally, the locking means and/or the feeding fence
must have a provision whereby an animal A can free
itself, for instance when it has fallen or when it lies
down. For this purpose the swivel bars 15,16 can for
instance be adapted such that from the open position they
can rotate at the top further in the direction of the
fodder passageway, whereby more space is formed in head
opening 12 at the bottom in the direction of animal A.
Locking means 30 are accommodated in an upper beam
18. As described above, bars 15,16 are likewise received
in upper beam 18 in bearing bushes 31 arranged therein.
These bearing bushes 31 can suitably be of a plastic such
as nylon. At its upper end each bar 15,16 bears a cross
piece fixedly connected thereto over which a recess 38 in
a pivoting lock 33 can fall so as to lock the bars.
Pivoting locks 33 are mounted in upper beam 18 by means
of pins which are curved upward outside beam 18 into the
form of handles 34. By rotating these handles 34 in the
direction of arrows R the locks 33 can be raised
individually to release the associated bar 15,16.
Central locking takes place using a slide rod 35
which is provided with a cam 36 which can engage on
engaging parts 37 of Locks 33. By shifting slide rod 35
to the left relative to the position of fig. 5 the cam 36
will press down the ends 37 of locks 33 lying in the
middle and thus move upward the recesses 38 in engagement
with cross pieces 32 on the upper ends of bars 15,16 so
as to release cross pieces 32 and therefore bars 15,16.
Individual unlocking of one or more bars 15,1& of a
pair may be necessary to release an individual animal
from fence 11. In the case a cow A lies down or has
fallen while its head H is placed through a feeding
location 17 in fence 11, it may be difficult to get cow A
to stand up again to allow withdrawal of its head H
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through fence 11. In order to obviate this problem the
feeding fence 11 can be embodied such that bars 15,16 can
be individually released, in particular by lifting
thereof upward out of the lower bearing. Lock 30 will
have to be embodied for this purpose such that a vertical
displacement of the relevant bars 15,16 is prevented
during normal operation but that when desired bar 15,16
is released on the top side, whereby it can move upward
and be lifted out of its bearing at the bottom.
The shown locking means can further be varied in
many ways and used in combination with different variants
and bars. The scope of the invention is therefore defined
solely by the appended claims.
The locking means can be embodied in many different
ways. In many cases it will be desirable to arrange
spring means 49 which urge bars 15,16 to the open
position (fig. 7). As soon as the locking is released,
bars 15,16 then swivel to the open position as soon as
the captive animal A moves backwards a little. It can
then withdraw its head H through the opening between bars
15,16. In this embodiment of locking means 40, which
otherwise function in substantially the same manner as in
the embodiment of fig. 6, detachable locking pins 51 are
further present which co-act with apertures 52 in the
upper end parts 42 connected to bars 15,16.
According to another embodiment of the invention
swivel bars 15,16 can also be mutually coupled so that
they swivel synchronously but in opposing directions
(fig. 8). This can be achieved for instance with an
appropriate system of rods or by arranging toothed wheels
62 on the ends of swivel bars 15,16. Each toothed wheel
62 in this case co-acts with a gear rack 68 on an
opposite side of beam 18. These gear racks 68 are fixedly
connected to each other so that swivel bars 15,16 are
forced to rotate in opposing direction relative to each
other. Onto the coupled gear racks 68 can further engage
a spring (not shown here) which urges the racks in the
direction in which swivel bars 15,16 move into the open
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position. The central locking and release can engage on
this coupled rack. For individual locking this variant of
locking means 60 further has a pivotable and slidable peg
61 loaded by a spring 69 and having a flattened portion
70 which falls into a slot 67 after rotation of peg 61,
whereafter the outer end of peg 61 can enter an aperture
71 in the part 72 connecting gear racks 68.
Locking means 30,40 and 60 can otherwise also be
adapted for automatic operation in pneumatic, hydraulic
or other manner under the control of a livestock control
system.
It will be apparent that the invention can be
embodied in many different ways. It is the specific
category of livestock for which the feeding fence
according to the invention is intended which alone
determines the outward curved form of the bars.
