Patent ID: 7784431
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. In an assembly of animal stanchions including fixed stanchions and pivoting stanchions laterally spaced apart and connected to a mounting connection device so as to allow said pivoting stanchions to be moved between an open position in which an upper part of a head opening is enlarged to enable an animal to place its head through the opening, to a closed position in which the upper part of the opening is narrowed to hold the animal's head between the fixed stanchion and the pivoting stanchion, said pivoting stanchion being supported and arranged to fall into said open position when released from a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism comprising: a first latching device attached to a fixed structure and configured to receive and releasably hold a portion connected to said pivoting stanchion therein; a second latching device fixedly connected to said pivoting stanchion, said second latching device configured to interact with said first latching device so as to secure and releasably hold said pivoting stanchion in a desired vertical orientation, said second latching device also defining an elongated slot therein, said elongated slot configured to receive a portion of a manual catch pin therein; a control device configured to selectively engage and disengage said first and second latching devices so as to alternatively restrain or allow movement of said pivoting stanchion, said control device comprised of a control rod positioned within a control rod sleeve in such a way so as to allow rotational and longitudinal movement of said control rod within said control rod sleeve.