Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE ANIMAL LOADING CHUTE
This invention relates to a portable animal loading chute which can be
used to transfer animals from a first level such as the ground to a second
raised
level such as the bed of a transportation container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a portable chute for loading livestock into a
transporting vehicle which includes a base on which the animals stand or walk
as
they move toward the vehicle and side walls upstanding from the base and
extending along respective sides for confining the animals as they move.
The base is carried on ground wheels for transportation and includes
supports for raising one end of the chute to align with the vehicle to be
loaded. The
other end is typically dropped to the ground so that animals moving along
containment alleys when they reach the lower end are able to walk up the
inclined
base and move into the vehicle for transportation.
It will be appreciated that the end face defined by the side walls must
match up against the vertical end of the containment alley at the ground and
must
also match up against the vertical end of the vehicle at the floor of the
trailer. If there
are gaps caused by misalignment, the animals will be encouraged by any such
gap
to attempt to escape through the gap in that any small gap, even if
insufficient for the
animal to actually escape, will potentially cause an escape attempt with
significant
risk of injury to the animal and to the handlers.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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In a situation where the chute is dedicated to a particular type of
transportation vehicle at a constant height for example semi-trailers, the end
faces of
the side walls can be arranged at an angle to the base or floor of the chute
so that
the end face is vertical when the base is at the required angle to load that
type of
vehicle.
However there are requirements to load both semi-trailers which have
a high floor and other types of trailers at a much lower floor level. In this
situation it
is not possible to fix the side walls at the required angle since that angle
changes.
Other loading chutes have floors that lift up and down independently of
the side walls to give the right height, but such designs are complex,
significantly
higher in transport height and are much bulkier. This one the whole chute
moves up
and down.
That is it is one object to the present invention to provide an animal
loading chute that can adjust for both higher semi-trailer and smaller lower
trailer
where the whole chute including both the base and side walls move upwardly and
downwardly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
= According to the invention there is provided a portable animal loading
chute for loading animals from a confinement container onto a first
transportation
container at a first height and onto a second transportation container at a
second
lower height, the loading chute comprising:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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a chute floor having a loading end and a discharge end over which the
animals can pass;
ground wheels for transporting the chute floor to a required location for
a loading required vehicle having a transportation floor at a predetermined
height;
ground supports operable to tilt the chute floor so that the discharge
end is raised to the height of the transportation floor;
first and second side walls mounted on the loading chute so as to
stand upwardly from the chute floor on respective sides of the chute floor for
confining the animals onto the chute floor;
the first side wall having an upstanding loading end edge and an
upstanding discharge end edge where the loading end edge is arranged to
brought
up to a vertical wall of the confinement container and the discharge end edge
is
arranged to brought up to a respective vertical wall of the first and second
transportation containers;
the loading end edge of the first side wall being arranged at an angle
such that when brought up to the vertical wall of the confinement container
the
loading end edge is at an angle to the vertical wall so as to define a first
triangular
space therebetween;
the discharge end edge of the first side wall being arranged at an angle
such that when brought up to the respective vertical wall of each of the first
and
second transportation containers the discharge end edge is at an angle to the
respective vertical wall so as to define respective triangular spaces
therebetween;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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the second side wall having an upstanding loading end edge and an
upstanding discharge end edge where the loading end edge is arranged to
brought
up to a vertical wall of the confinement container and the discharge end edge
is
arranged to brought up to a respective vertical wall of the first and second
transportation containers;
the loading end edge of the second side wall being arranged at an
angle such that when brought up to the vertical wall of the confinement
container the
loading end edge is at an angle to the vertical wall so as to define a first
triangular
space therebetween;
the discharge end edge of the second side wall being arranged at an
angle such that when brought up to the respective vertical wall of each of the
first
and second transportation containers the discharge end edge is at an angle to
the
respective vertical wall so as to define respective triangular spaces
therebetween;
the first side wall having at its loading end a loading confinement panel
having a cooperating edge, the loading confinement panel being movable
relative to
the loading end edge so that the cooperating edge of the loading confinement
panel
is movable to a vertical position immediately adjacent the vertical wall of
the
confinement container,
the first side wall having at its discharge end a discharge confinement
panel having a cooperating edge, the discharge confinement panel being movable
relative to the discharge end edge so that the cooperating edge of the
discharge
confinement panel is movable to a first vertical position immediately adjacent
the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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vertical wall of the first transportation container and a second vertical
position
immediately adjacent the vertical wall of the second transportation container;
the second side wall having at its loading end a loading confinement
panel having a cooperating edge, the loading confinement panel being movable
relative to the loading end edge so that the cooperating edge of the loading
confinement panel is movable to a vertical position immediately adjacent the
vertical
wall of the confinement container;
and the second side wall having at its discharge end a second
discharge confinement panel having a second cooperating edge, the second
discharge confinement panel being movable relative to the discharge end edge
of
the second side wall so that the second cooperating edge of the second
discharge
confinement panel is movable to a first vertical position immediately adjacent
the
vertical wall of the first transportation container and a second vertical
position
immediately adjacent the vertical wall of the second transportation container;
wherein each of the loading confinement panels and each of the first
and second discharge confinement panels lie in a plane parallel to the
respective
one of the first and second side walls;
and wherein each of the loading confinement panels and each of the
first and second discharge confinement panels is movable to the first and
second
vertical positions in a respective plane parallel to the respective one of the
first and
second side walls.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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Typically the side walls and the confining panels are closed to prevent
the animals viewing the exterior.
In one embodiment the confining panels lie in a plane parallel to the
side walls and preferably immediately adjacent to and outward of a plane of
the
respective side wall and the confining panels are pivotal about a respective
axis
transverse to the respective side wall so as to move parallel to the
respective side
wall.
In one embodiment the axis is spaced from both a top and bottom of
the confining panel so that both the top and bottom move inwardly and
outwardly
relative to the respective side wall and preferably approximately at a mid-
height of
the confining panel so that both the top and bottom move inwardly and
outwardly
relative to the respective side wall by approximately the same distance.
However the
axis may be located at the top or at the bottom taking into account that this
will
require a greater distance of movement to fill the triangular space
For simplicity of manufacture and to provide sufficient stiffness the
confining panels comprise a flat sheet with a post at one upstanding edge. In
this
arrangement, the post abuts an end post of the respective side wall when moved
to
an extreme end position of its movement.
In one embodiment, the chute is manufactured so that it has end
edges which are not parallel to the vertical end walls in either the position
of the
higher trailer or at the lower position and typically at an angle which is
approximately
half way between. The confining panels then have two extreme positions of
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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movement where the confining panels are at one extreme position with the first
vehicle and at an opposed extreme position with the second vehicle.
In one embodiment there is provided a hitch at a forward end for
towing on the ground wheels.
In one embodiment the supports comprise upstanding stands at the
discharge end to raise the discharge end to the height of the first and second
vehicles and preferably the ground wheels can be raised and lowered so as to
provide support in both the positions for the first and second transportation
vehicles.
Preferably the discharge end edge of the first and second side walls is
parallel to the loading end edge of the first and second side walls so that
the
confining panels are symmetrical and move the same distances.
In one embodiment the discharge and loading end edges of the first
and second side walls are inclined at an angle to a plane at right angles to
the floor.
Preferably the angle is arranged so that the discharge end edges are at a
first angle
to the vertical wall of the first vehicle and the discharge end edges are at a
second
angle to the vertical wall of the second vehicle where the first and second
angles are
approximately equal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portable animal loading chute
according to the present invention showing the chute in a raised inclined
position for
loading onto a semi-trailer at a raised height.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the loading chute of Figure 1
showing the chute in a lowered inclined position for loading onto a lower type
of
trailer.
Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the loading chute of Figure 1
showing the chute in the position of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the loading chute of Figure 1
showing the chute in a raised inclined position of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the loading chute of Figure 1
showing the chute in the position of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
One embodiment of a portable animal loading chute 10 is shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 4 for loading animals. The chute is arranged to transfer the
animals
from a confinement container 11 such as an alley defined by side walls along
which
the animals are driven. The alley includes an end face 12 which is vertical
with the
side walls standing horizontally on the ground and the end faces standing
upwardly
therefrom.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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In Figure 2 is shown one transportation trailer or vehicle 13 sitting on
ground wheels 14 supporting a floor 15 at a height spaced from the ground by a
lower height which in one practical example is of the order of 15 inches. The
trailer
includes a rear wall 16 which stands vertical that is at right angles to the
floor and
typically includes a door which confines the animals to enter through a narrow
opening into the area confined by the trailer.
In Figure 4 is shown a first transportation vehicle 17 typically a semi-
trailer at a height in one example which is around 50 inches. This includes a
floor 18
and a vertical rear wall 19 which typically contains a door.
The chute comprises a chute floor 20 and two upstanding side walls 21
and 22. The side walls are formed of posts 23 and rails 24 covered by a sheet
25 so
that the walls are closed to prevent vision outwardly by animals confined
between
the walls. The walls are connected by cross members 26 which hold them
vertical
and parallel at a spacing to confine the animals to move one behind the other
as
they pass from the alley to the transportation vehicle.
The chute floor 20 has a loading end 27 arranged to sit on the ground
and a discharge end 28 including a flap 29 which forms a surface allowing
unbroken
surface over which the animals can pass to the vehicle.
The floor is connected to ground wheels 30 carried on mounting 31 for
transporting the chute floor to a required location for loading a required
vehicle
having a transportation floor atone of the predetermined heights depending on
the
type of vehicle being used.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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At the discharge end of the floor is provided ground supports 32
operable to tilt the chute floor so that the discharge end is raised to the
height of the
transportation floor. The supports comprise upstanding stands or posts 33 at
the
discharge end slidable in sleeves 34 and manually operable to raise the
discharge
end to a selected height matching that of the first and second vehicles
depending on
the type of vehicle to be loaded.
The ground wheels can be raised and lowered by a winch and cable
system 35 to a selected height so as to provide support from the ground in
both the
positions for the first and second transportation vehicles when the discharge
end is
supported at the selected height on the posts 33.
In order to transport the portable chute from place to place for loading
as required, there is provided a hitch 36 at a forward end for towing on the
ground
wheels.
The posts of the first and second side walls are welded to side rails of
the floor mounted on the loading chute so as to stand vertically upwardly from
the
chute floor on respective sides of the chute floor for confining the animals
onto the
chute floor as they move to the vehicle.
The side walls are symmetrical and equal so that only one will be
described in detail. Thus the first side wall 21 has an upstanding loading end
edge
37 defined by an end post 371 and an upstanding discharge end edge 38 again
defined by an end post 381. The posts 371 and 381 form end ones of a series of
posts 23 all standing at right angles to the floor at spaced positions along
the floor.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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The discharge end edge 38 of the side wall is parallel to the loading
end edge 37 of the side wall. However the end posts 371 and 381 of the side
wall
are not at right angles to the floor but instead are inclined at an angle to a
plane at
right angles to the floor.
As shown in Figure 2 at the lower loading height and in Figure 4 at the
higher loading height, when the loading end edge 371 is brought up to the
vertical
wall 12 of the confinement container the loading end edge is at an angle to
the
vertical wall 12 so as to define a triangular space therebetween. In Figure 2
the
triangular space 372 increases in width from the bottom up to the top of the
post
371. In Figure 4 the triangular space 373 increases in width from the top down
to the
bottom of the post 371. Therefore in neither position is the post 371 parallel
to the
vertical wall 12. Symmetrically at the discharge end the post 382 is not
parallel to
the vertical walls 16 and 19 in either position so as to define again
triangular spaces
382 and 383.
In order that the triangular spaces are not apparent or available to the
animals in the chute with the potential for an escape attempt, the side wall
carries, at
its loading end 37, a loading confinement panel 374 and at its discharge end a
discharge confinement panel 384. The loading confinement panel 374 defines a
separate end edge 375 which is independent of the end edge 371. The panel 374
also is movable relative to the loading end edge 371 so that the cooperating
edge
375 of the loading confinement panel is movable to a vertical position
immediately
adjacent the vertical wall 12 of the confinement container.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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Symmetrically the side wall has at its discharge end 38 the discharge
confinement panel 384 again having a cooperating edge 385. The discharge
confinement panel 384 is again movable relative to the discharge end edge 381
so
that the cooperating edge 385 of the discharge confinement panel is movable to
a
vertical position immediately adjacent the vertical wall 16 of the first
transportation
vehicle and immediately adjacent the vertical wall 19 of the second
transportation
vehicle.
As best shown in Figure 1, the confining panels 374 and 384 lie in a
plane parallel to and immediately outside of the side wall 21 and are pivotal
about a
respective axis 376 and 386 transverse to the respective side wall and
connected to
the respective end post of the side wall so as to move in the pivotal movement
parallel to a plane of the side wall 21.
The axis is defined by a bracket attached to the end post and is
located approximately at a mid height of the confining panel so as to be
spaced from
both a top 387 and bottom 378 of the confining panel so that both the top and
bottom move inwardly and outwardly in a direction away from the end post
relative to
the side wall 21. The mounting of the axis approximately at a mid-height of
the
confining panel means that both the top and bottom move inwardly and outwardly
relative to the respective side wall by approximately the same distance.
The confining panels 374, 384 are formed from a flat sheet 379 of
metal with a post 390 at one upstanding edge and a bent stiffening edge 391 at
the
other edge.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
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In view of the symmetrical arrangement so that the angle of the end
posts is midway between the two operating positions relative to the two
vehicles and
the mounting of the axis at the mid height, the post 390 abuts the end post
381 of
the side wall when moved to the extreme end position of its movement shown in
Figure 2 and when moved to the opposite extreme position as shown in Figure 4.
The arrangement herein thus provides a simple construction where the
floor remains in fixed position relative to the side walls and the problem of
the
triangular spaces is solved by the confining panels which close the spaces and
avoid
any appearance to the animal that there is an escape route. The panels are
simple
sheets defining a flat surface closing the space and can pivot over small
distances to
obtain the required closure in both the higher and lower positions because the
panel
moves in both positions and is symmetrical about a mid-height between the two
positions.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
