Livestock device

In one aspect of a livestock device, the livestock device may be configured with two opposed and corresponding door frames. A neck bar may be engaged with each door frame via an upper extension arm and a lower extension arm. The door frames may be selectively moved between an open and closed position with respect to one another. The neck bars may be selectively moved between a retracted and extended position with respect to the door frames. The livestock device may be configured to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient an animal, and/or to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient a portion of an animal (e.g., its head, neck, etc.) with respect to another portion of the animal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a device for securing livestock, and more specifically a livestock device for securing a relatively larger animal, such as a bovine.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Various livestock securing and positioning devices exists. Examples of issued patents and published patent applications for such devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,701; 5,626,100; Published U.S. Pat. App. Nos. 2008/0308047; and 2012/0037090. However, such devices have various disadvantages in certain applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Disclosed herein are various components that may be used to perform the disclosed methods and provide the disclosed systems. These in addition to other components that may be compatible with the disclosed methods and systems, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems of the present disclosure. This applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that may be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps may be performed with any specific aspects or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of systems and methods (including the various aspects thereof) and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their following description. Further, although some figures included herewith show various dimensions of some features of certain illustrative aspects of certain components of the present disclosure, such dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the present methods and systems. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the various aspects of the present disclosure, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appending claims. Various inventive features are described below herein that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.

Referring generally toFIGS. 1-3, a first illustrative embodiment of a livestock device10may be engaged with an end of a chute12, wherein the livestock device10and chute12may be configured to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient an animal18, and/or to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient a portion of an animal18(e.g., its head, neck, etc.) with respect to another portion of the animal18. It is contemplated that the livestock device10disclosed herein may be especially useful for veterinary care of an animal18, but the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Although the various illustrative embodiments of the livestock device10pictured and disclosed herein may be especially adapted for use with cows, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited unless otherwise indicated in the following claims, and other embodiments may be adapted for use with sheep, goats, swine, etc. Additionally, the livestock device10may be adapted to selectively engage an end of nearly any type of chute12and is in no way limited by the type of chute12for which it is adapted unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. It is contemplated that the livestock device10may be integrally formed with a chute12or it may be separately formed and later engaged with the chute12(i.e., via mechanical fasteners, welding, and/or any suitable method and/or structure) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

Referring now generally toFIGS. 4A-10, which provide various views of a second illustrative embodiment of the livestock device10, generally, the livestock device10may be comprised of two door frames20. Each door frame20may be moveable with respect to one another and with respect to the chute12in a generally horizontal dimension such that the door frames20may be moved between a closed position wherein the door frames20are positioned adjacent one another (as shown inFIG. 4A) such that an animal18(and/or portion of the animal18such as its head) may not pass between the door frames20and an open position wherein the door frames20are spaced apart from one another (as shown inFIG. 4B) such that an animal18(and/or portion of the animal18such as its head) may pass between the door frames20. Additionally, the door frames20may be fixed at any position therebetween (as shown inFIGS. 1-3) when the livestock device10is in use with an animal18, and wherein a portion of the animal18(such as its neck) may be positioned between the door frames20.

In the illustrative embodiments of the livestock device10, each door frame20may be comprised of two vertical members22and two horizontal members24engaged with one another such that each door frame20is generally rectangular in shape. An upper mount21may be engaged with the chute12above a corresponding door frame20and a telescoping member21amay be moveable with respect to the upper mount21, wherein the telescoping member21amay be fixedly engaged with a vertical member22and/or horizontal member24of a respective door frame20. Generally, the upper mount21may be configured as a hollow tube into which the telescoping member21aand/or a portion thereof may fit in a slideable manner. However, in other embodiments the upper mount21and/or telescoping member21amay be differently configured without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The inner vertical members22may be formed with a slide tab22cat the upper end thereof, wherein the slide tab22cmay engage an exterior surface of the upper mount21in a sliding fashion so that the slide tab22cmay be moveable in the generally horizontal dimension with respect to the upper mount21. As shown inFIG. 4A, when the door panels20are closed, each telescoping member21amay be positioned within the upper mount21and each slide tab22con the opposing door frames20may be positioned adjacent one another. As shown inFIG. 4B, when the door panels20are opened each telescoping member21amay be extended out from the upper mount21and each slide tab22cmay be separated from one another by a distance approximately equal to the opening between the two inner vertical members22of the opposing door frames20. The upper mount21and telescoping member21amay be configured to reduce the overall width of the livestock device10and/or to provide a limit to the overall width thereof without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Additionally, the upper mount21and telescoping member21amay be configured to provide a limit to the width of an opening between the two door frames20without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The door frames20may be actuated between open and closed positions and/or any position therebetween via one or more actuators14. A guide16, which may be manufactured from or coated with a generally lubricious material (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, other polymers, grease, and/or combinations thereof) may be engaged with the bottom horizontal member24of each door frame20so as to reduce friction between the door frame20and support structure17(which support structure17may be configured as a portion of the chute12or which may be configured as a portion of the livestock device without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims) with which the door frame20is engaged during actuation of the door frame20. Such friction reducing structures and/or methods may be used at any contact area of the livestock device10including but not limited to the upper mount21and telescoping member21a, upper mount21and slide tab22c, rod25and extension arm30, extension arm30and neck bar40, etc. without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

It is contemplated that engaging the upper end of an outer vertical member22of a given door frame20to an outer terminal end of a corresponding telescoping member21aand engaging the upper end of an inner vertical member22of that door frame20to a corresponding slide tab22cmay prevent and/or mitigate misalignment between that door frame20and other components of the livestock device10and/or a chute12and/or ensure proper actuation and/or movement of that door frame20without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

As shown at least inFIG. 9, the second illustrative embodiment of the livestock device10may be configured with two actuators14configured to open and close the door frames20, wherein the actuators14may be hydraulically powered. A first end of an actuator14may be engaged with a slide tab22cthat is fixedly engaged with a vertical member22of a door frame20and a second end of that actuator14may be engaged with an upper mount21. In this manner, one actuator14may power a first door frame20and a second actuator14may power a second door frame20. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited and extends to more than two or fewer than two actuators14as well as actuators14having different power sources (e.g., electric, pneumatic, etc.) and/or different configurations without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

Two pairs of extension arms30may be pivotally engaged with each respective door frame20at attachment tabs22a, which attachment tabs22amay be selectively engaged with the vertical members22. An upper extension arm30and lower extension arm30may be pivotally engaged with each door frame20as further described in detail below and may constitute one pair of extension arms30. Detailed views of an illustrative embodiment of the attachment tabs22aare shown inFIGS. 12A-12D. A first vertical member22(which may be an outer vertical member22) and corresponding attachment tab22afor a door frame20is shown in the foreground ofFIGS. 12A & 12Band the opposing vertical member22(which may be an inner vertical member) and corresponding attachment tab22afor that door frame20is shown in the foreground ofFIGS. 12C & 12D. The attachment tabs22amay be configured such that they may be engaged with and/or adjusted with respect to the vertical members22in a selective manner (e.g., with mechanical fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, etc.) so that the attachment tabs22amay be removed and disengaged from the vertical members22if desired. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited, and in other embodiments of the livestock device10the attachment tabs22amay be otherwise engaged with and/or adjusted with respect to the vertical members22without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

A rod25may extend between two attachment tabs22aon vertical members22(i.e., the inner and outer vertical members22) of a single door frame20. It is contemplated that each door frame20may be configured with two corresponding pairs of attachment tabs22a, wherein one pair is positioned above a second pair such that the upper pair is associated with the upper extension arm30on that door frame20and the lower pair is associated with the lower extension arm30on that door frame20. The rod25between two attachment tabs22aof a pair of attachment tabs22amay extend the entire distance between two vertical members22of a single door frame20. It is contemplated that such a configuration will provide additional strength and durability to the livestock device10and ensure proper movement of the extension arms30and/or neck bars40with respect to the door frame20(as described in detail below) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

A keeper26, as shown at least inFIGS. 12C & 12D, may be engaged with one attachment tab22aof a corresponding pair of attachment tabs22a, which may be via selective engagement using mechanical fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts, screws, etc.) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. The keeper26may be secured to the rod25to facilitate removal and installation of the rod25with the corresponding attachment tabs22aas well as to secure the position of the rod25with respect to the attachment tabs22a(and consequently the door frame20) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. In this manner, the rod25and keeper26may be configured such that they may be engaged with and/or adjusted with respect to the vertical members22in a selective manner (e.g., with mechanical fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, etc.) so that the keepers26and rods25may be removed and disengaged from the vertical members22if desired. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited, and in other embodiments of the livestock device10the rods25and/or keepers26may be otherwise engaged with and/or adjusted with respect to the vertical members22without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

Each extension arm30may be comprised of an arm first end32and an arm second end34, wherein each arm end32,34may be generally cylindrical in shape without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. The arm first end32may be positioned over the rod25and pivotable with respect thereto (and consequently with respect to the corresponding door frame20), such that the rod25or a portion thereof is positioned within the cylindrical portion of the arm first end32. The arm second end34may be engaged with a corresponding neck bar40and pivotable with respect thereto. The arm second end34may be positioned over a shaft (not shown) engaged with the corresponding neck bar40(and which shaft may be integrally formed with a neck bar40or formed separately and engaged therewith), but any suitable structure and/or method for providing a pivotal engagement between the extension arm30and door frame20and/or between the extension arm30and neck bar40may be used without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Generally, it is contemplated that the configuration of the attachment tabs22afor selective engagement with and/or adjusted with respect to the vertical members22as previously described may allow for relatively easy engagement with and/or adjustment of the extension arms30and/or neck bars40with respect to the door frames20without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

Furthermore, the distance between the interior surfaces of the two opposing neck bars40may be less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the two opposing vertical members22of each door frame20. In one illustrative embodiment the neck bars40may be at least four inches closer to one another than the inner vertical members22of each door frame20. In another illustrative embodiment the difference may be at least six inches. However, the optimal value for this difference in distance may vary from one application of the livestock device10to the next and is therefore in no way limiting to the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Additionally or alternatively, the extension arms30may be configured such that when they are extended away from their respective door frame20, the distance between the interior surfaces of the two opposing neck bars40may decrease compared to that same distance when the extension arms30are retracted. Generally, it is contemplated that this difference in distances and/or configuration of the extension arms30may allow for a gradual taper along the neck of an animal18from the base thereof to the head of the animal18, which may provide increased comfort for the animal18, and/or mitigate and/or eliminate potential harm, pinching, or other unwanted outcomes, and/or more securely restrain the animal18and/or a portion thereof when using the livestock device10without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

One or more bushings35as shown at least inFIG. 11may be positioned adjacent either the arm first or second ends32,34, wherein the bushing(s)35may be positioned over a shaft (not shown) engaged with a neck bar40or a rod25. It is contemplated that bushing(s)35may be used to adjust the minimum and/or maximum clearance between the two neck bars40such that the livestock device10may be configured for use with a wide variety of sizes of animals18without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The livestock device10may be configured with two opposed neck bars40, wherein each neck bar40corresponds to one door frame20. The length of the neck bars40may be similar to the length of the vertical members22of a given door frame20so as to prevent unwanted movement of an animal18with respect to the neck bars40when the animal18is engaged therewith. In one embodiment the length of the neck bars40may be at least sixty percent that of the vertical members22and in another embodiment at least 75 percent, but the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The neck bars40may be formed with one or more spacers41on an inner surface thereof as shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 11. It is contemplated that such spacers41may provide additional comfort and/or safety for an animal18engaged with the livestock device10by preventing and/or mitigating the neck bars40from pinching and/or unwanted and/or unsafe squeezing a portion of an animal18without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. The neck bars40may be engaged with the arm second end34of each extension arm30of a given pair of extension arms30. That is, each neck bar40may correspond to one door frame20and one pair of extension arms30(i.e., an upper and a lower extension arm30). However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited and other orientations, configurations, and/or numbers of extension arms30may be used without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

In an illustrative embodiment, either end of a neck bar40may be formed with an angled portion40a. The angled portion40amay protrude inward toward the door frame20such that when the neck bars40are in the fully retracted position (as shown at least inFIGS. 4A & 4B), a gap remains between the major length of each neck bar40and the corresponding vertical member22. Alternatively, a stop44may be engaged with either end of a neck bar40on a surface thereof that opposes the corresponding vertical member22as shown at least inFIG. 11to achieve such a gap. It is contemplated that such a gap may prevent pinching or other discomfort to an animal18engaged with the livestock device10without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The neck bars40may be actuated between extended and retracted positions and/or any position therebetween via one or more actuators14, which extension and retraction may cause the extension arms30to pivot with respect to both the door frames20and neck bars40. The livestock device10may be configured such that the neck bars40remain generally vertical and parallel with respect to one another in both the retracted and extended positions and/or any position therebetween. Additionally, the extension arms30of a given pair thereof may remain generally parallel with respect to one another in both the retracted and extended positions and/or any position therebetween. It is contemplated that such a configuration may provide even pressure along the entire length of the neck bars40with respect to a portion of the animal18engaged therewith. However, other configurations and/or orientations for these elements may be used without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

As shown at least inFIG. 6, the second illustrative embodiment of the livestock device10may be configured with two actuators14for extending and retracting the neck bars40with respect to the door frames40, wherein the actuators14may be hydraulically powered. The neck bars40are shown in the fully extended position inFIG. 4Cand the fully retracted position inFIGS. 4A & 4B. One actuator14may be associated with a neck bar40on one door frame20and another actuator may be associated with the neck bar on the other door frame20. A first end of one actuator14may be engaged with an actuator bracket22bthat that may be fixedly engaged with a vertical member22and a second end of that actuator14may be engaged with an actuator tab32aon the arm first end32, which actuator tab32amay be fixedly engaged with the arm first end32. Either the upper or lower extension arm30of a given pair may be configured with an actuator tab32aunless otherwise indicated in the following claims, but it is contemplated that for many applications it may be advantageous to configure the upper extension arm30with an actuator tab32aand engage the corresponding actuator14therewith (such that the actuator14may be positioned between the upper and lower extension arms30of a given pair thereof) to provide increased access to an animal18engaged with the livestock device10and/or to protect the actuator14from unwanted perturbations and/or otherwise reduce exposure of the actuator14and/or provide additional functional or aesthetic benefits.

The actuator tab32amay be over center with respect to the pivot point between the extension arm30and the door frame20(which pivot point may be about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding rod25described in detail above). In this manner, extending the actuator14may cause the corresponding neck bar40to retract such that it is positioned adjacent the corresponding door frame20and retracting the actuator14may cause the corresponding neck bar40to extend such that is spaced apart from the corresponding door frame20. Also in this manner, a first actuator14may power a first neck bar40and a second actuator14may power a second neck bar40. It is contemplated that such a configuration (i.e., retracting the actuator14causing the corresponding neck bar40to extend from the corresponding door frame20and vice versa) may provide easier and/or increased access to an animal18engaged with the livestock device10, and especially the neck and/or head area of the animal18. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited and extends to more than two or fewer than two actuators14as well as actuators14having different power sources (e.g., electric, pneumatic, etc.) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

From the foregoing description those skilled in the art should appreciate that the livestock device10disclosed herein may provide various benefits over the prior art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the livestock device10disclosed herein may allow for relatively easy securement of the position of, restraint, and/or proper orientation an animal18, and/or securement of the position of, restraint, and/or proper orientation a portion of an animal18(e.g., its head, neck, etc.) with respect to another portion of the animal18.

Illustrative Method of Use

In one illustrative method of use, the livestock device10may be used to secure the head of an animal18with respect to other portions of the animal18, wherein the head of the animal18is positioned on a first side of the neck bars40opposite the chute12and the body and/or neck of the animal18is positioned on a second side of the neck bars40toward the chute12as shown inFIGS. 1-3. The neck and/or head of the animal18may be thus exposed for veterinary or other purposes without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

It is contemplated that with the neck bars40in the generally retracted position, the user may open the door frames20to a distance such that the head of the animal18but not the body thereof may pass between the door frames20. At this point the animal18may be positioned such that the head of the animal18is positioned on a first side of the neck bars40opposite the chute12and the body and/or neck of the animal18is positioned on a second side of the neck bars40toward the chute12, and the user may close the door frames20slightly such that the head of the animal18may not pass between the door frames18. At this point, the user may extend the neck bars40so as to expose and/or secure the head and/or neck of the animal18. It is contemplated that the livestock device10disclosed herein may be safer and more comfortable for the animal18engaged therewith without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The various relative dimensions of the components of the livestock device10may be infinitely varied depending on the specific application of the livestock device10. Several illustrative aspects of different livestock device10according to the present disclosure and relative dimensions of the components of the livestock device10are shown in the corresponding figures. However, these aspects and dimensions are not meant to be limiting in any sense, but rather are provided to show how the various dimensions of the livestock device10may be manipulated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims.

It is contemplated that for certain applications of the livestock device10, it may be especially advantageous to construct various elements thereof from box, channel, and/or tubular steel (e.g., the vertical and/or horizontal members22,24of the door frames20, portions of the extension arms30, the neck bars40, etc.). However, the livestock device10and various elements thereof may be constructed of any suitable material having any suitable cross-sectional shape and/or configuration known to those skilled in the art without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.

Although various benefits/features of the illustrative embodiments of the livestock device10have been described herein in accordance with cattle, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the livestock device10may be configured for use with nearly any animal18(e.g., sheep, goats, swine, dogs, cats, etc.), or any other suitable application without limitation unless otherwise limited in the following claims.

From the preceding detailed description, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure provides many benefits over the prior art. Some of those benefits include, but are not limited to unless otherwise indicated in the following claims: (1) parallel neck bars40and/or door frames20that remain parallel during actuation of various components of the livestock device10; (2) neck bars40having a length similar to that of the door frames20; (3) relatively easy removal, attachment, and/or adjustment of the extension arms30with respect to the door frames20and/or neck bars40; (4) actuator14orientation with respect to the extension arms30, neck bars40, and/or door frames20; (5) configuration of engagement between extension arms30and neck bars40and/or door frames20; (6) elimination of pinch points between the neck bars40and door frames20; (8) vertical orientation of neck bars40in both extended and retracted positioned and all points therebetween for constant pressure on an animal18or portion thereof adjacent the neck bars40; (9) friction reducing elements (e.g., guide16); and, (10) adjustability due to adding or removing bushings35.

Although the descriptions of the illustrative aspects of the present disclosure have been quite specific, it is contemplated that various modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the description of the illustrative aspects and/or corresponding figures unless so indicated in the following claims.

The number, configuration, dimensions, geometries, and/or relative locations of the various elements of the livestock device10, will vary from one aspect of the present disclosure to the next, as will the optimal configuration thereof. Accordingly, the present disclosure is in no way limited by the specific configurations, dimensions, and/or other constraints of those elements unless so indicated in the following claims.

The materials used to construct the livestock device10and various elements and/or components thereof will vary depending on the specific application thereof, but it is contemplated that polymers, metals, metal alloys, natural materials, stone, cement, ceramics, fibrous materials, and/or combinations thereof may be especially useful for the livestock device10in some applications. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art or later developed, which material is appropriate for the specific application of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the various methods and apparatuses, other features of the present disclosure will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in the various aspects as illustrated herein, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present disclosure extends to all method and/or structures for providing the various benefits and/or features of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. Furthermore, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are no way limiting to the scope of the present disclosure unless so stated in the following claims.

Although several figures are drawn to accurate scale, any dimensions provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. It should be noted that the livestock device10and/or components thereof are not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but are intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods positioning, securing retaining an animal18and/or one portion of an animal18with respect to another without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Any of the various features, functionalities, aspects, configurations, etc. for livestock device10and/or components of any of the foregoing may be used alone or in combination with one another (depending on the compatibility of the features) from one embodiment and/or aspect of the livestock device10to the next. Accordingly, an infinite number of variations of the livestock device10exists. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the livestock device10. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the livestock device10and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. Modifications and/or substitutions of one feature for another in no way limit the scope of livestock device10and/or component thereof unless so indicated in the following claims.

It is understood that the present disclosure extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned, evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure and/or components thereof. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the apparatuses, methods, and/or components disclosed herein and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

While the livestock device10and/or components thereof and/or methods of using same have been described in connection with preferred aspects and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments and/or aspects set forth, as the embodiments and/or aspects herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but are intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient an animal18, and/or to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient a portion of an animal18(e.g., its head, neck, etc.) with respect to another portion of the animal18and/or the like, and/or otherwise providing any of the features and/or advantages of any aspect of the present disclosure. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.