Patent ID: 9420756
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: A01J

Claim Text:
1. A modular apparatus used to manipulate teats of an animal, comprising: a main support fixed to a stationary point; a number of arms each having a first end detachably coupled to a carriage mounted on the main support for rotational movement of the arms as a group or independently about a first horizontal axis and said carriage being configured for moving the number of arms as a group in an X direction so as to extend a reach of one or more changeable tools as a group in the X direction; and the one or more changeable tools detachably coupled to a second end of each of the number of arms for rotational movement of the one or more changeable tools as a group or independently about a second axis, said second axis being orthogonal to a third axis extending from the first end to the second end of each changeable arm, wherein rotational movement of the number of arms about the first horizontal axis and rotational movement of the one or more changeable tools about the second axis provide movement to the one or more changeable tools as a group or independently in the X direction and a Z direction to manipulate the teats, the X direction being defined as an horizontal direction that runs along a spine of the animal, and the Z direction being defined as a vertical direction.