Patent ID: 6477986
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A lifting jack for shearing sheep, comprising:a cradle for holding a sheep on its back or stomach, said cradle being shaped for allowing the sheep to be rolled from its back to its stomach, or vice-versa, during a shearing operation; lifting means formed as a chain-and-sprocket-mechanism for moving said cradle from a first loading/unloading position adjacent a floor of a shearing shed for shearing sheep to a second raised position for shearing the sheep of approximately a height of a work bench, so that the sheep is able to be lifted while the sheep is shorn in order that a person shearing the sheep avoids bending over the sheep, said lifting means being operable by a foot pedal between said first loading/unloading position and said second raised position for shearing by a single unassisted person shearing the sheep, so that in use the person is able to place the sheep in said cradle at a floor height and, while either holding the sheep himself or otherwise restraining the sheep, the person is able to cause said cradle to be lifted; and, locking means for use with said foot pedal of said lifting means, so that after a predetermined length of travel corresponding to a required raising of said cradle, said foot pedal is able to be locked in its lower position, without the need of the person to maintain his foot on said foot pedal, thereby preventing said cradle from returning to its said first loading/unloading position until shearing of the sheep has been completed when said locking means is released for allowing said cradle to be returned.