Animal transporting system

An animal transporting system for easily loading, unloading, sorting, separating and transporting animals within an enclosed structure. The inventive device includes a frame attached to a truck, a ramp attached to the frame that is extendable from the frame, a pair of first doors pivotally attached to the frame adjacent the ramp, a pair of second doors pivotally attached to the first doors, a rear door, and a rear ramp structure telescoping rearwardly and downwardly for the loading of animals at ground level.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to animal transporting devices and more specifically it relates to an animal transporting system for easily loading, unloading, sorting and transporting animals within an enclosed structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Animal transporting devices have been in use for years. Typically, an animal transporting device is comprised of a ground or dock level trailer that is connected to a vehicle. Conventional animal trailers have a rear door exposing an interior portion having one or more gates for creating various sizes of holding pens for the animals.

The most significant problem with conventional animal trailers is that they generally require more than one person to load, sort, transport, and unload animals from within. Another problem is that many ground level portable fences are required to load and unload the animals from the trailer. Another problem is that gates to a feed yard pen must be opened to allow the trailer to be positioned within the interior of the feed yard pen.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for easily loading, unloading, sorting and transporting high stressed, weakened, sick, or recovering animals within an enclosed structure. Conventional animal trailers are not efficient to utilize when loading and unloading one or more animals.

In these respects, the animal transporting system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of easily loading, unloading, sorting, and transporting animals within an enclosed structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of animal trailers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new animal transporting system construction wherein the same can be utilized for easily loading, unloading, sorting, and transporting animals within an enclosed structure with the operator removed or on the exterior of said structure.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new animal transporting system that has many of the advantages of the animal transporting devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new animal transporting system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art animal transporting devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame attached to a truck, a horizontal deck attached to the frame that is extendable from the frame, a pair of first doors pivotally attached to the frame adjacent the horizontal deck, a pair of second doors pivotally attached to the first doors, and a rear door, and a rear ramp structure telescoping rearwardly and downwardly for the loading of animals at ground level. When the horizontal deck is fully extended, the first doors are extended from the frame along side the horizontal deck for retaining animals being loaded and unloaded from the frame. When the ramp, which is connected to the horizontal deck, is extended the second doors are extended from the first doors retaining animals being loaded or unloaded. The frame is formed for receiving one or more animals within having a plurality of partitions and inner doors which retain and direct animals depending upon whether they are closed or opened. A side door and a rear door are positioned within the frame for allowing loading and unloading animals from heightened areas such as a dock. With a level lift attachment, animals may be loaded from ground level at side and rear doors. A catwalk is attached to the upper portion of the frame for allowing an individual to view the interior portion of the frame.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an animal transporting system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide an animal transporting system for easily loading, unloading, sorting, and transporting animals within an enclosed structure.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that allows for the loading and unloading of animals at ground level into the rear door thereof.

Another object is to provide an animal transporting system that does not require additional portable fences, ramps or chutes to load and unload animals from within the holding structure.

An additional object is to provide an animal transporting system that allows only one individual to load, unload, sort and transport animals.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that encourages free and natural movement of animals thereby requiring no outside stimulation such as electrical shockers.

Another object is to provide an animal transporting system that allows an individual to safely load, sort, separate, and unload animals.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that does not require an individual to enter the interior with the animals.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that simple in construction thereby creating a strong and durable structure.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that can be utilized to load and unload animals within feed yard pens without requiring a gate to be opened.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that allows sick animals to be transported thereby reducing stress to the animal.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that reduces labor costs.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that can be utilized within feed yards, zoos and various other locations.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that will sort, deliver and return animals from hospital pens within a feedlot to their home pens.

A further object is to provide a low-stress, calm, humane way to transport sick and weakened animals with minimal interaction between animals and people.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that allows animals to be loaded and unloaded over gates, fences, feed bunks and various other structures.

A further object is to provide an animal transporting system that can load or unload animals at a dock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 19illustrate an animal transporting system10, which comprises a frame20attached to a truck12, a ramp30attached to the frame20that is extendable from the frame20, a pair of first doors70pivotally attached to the frame20adjacent the ramp30, a pair of second doors72pivotally attached to the first doors70, and a rear door50, and a rear ramp structure telescoping rearwardly and downwardly for the loading of animals at ground level. When the ramp30is fully extended, the first doors70, the deck32, and the second doors72are extended from the frame20along side the ramp30for retaining animals being loaded and unloaded from the frame20. The frame20is formed for receiving one or more animals within having a plurality of partitions62and inner doors60. A side door40and a rear door50are positioned within the frame20for allowing loading and unloading animals from heightened areas such as a dock. A catwalk26attached to the upper portion of the frame20for allowing an individual to view the interior portion of the frame20.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings, a truck12or similar vehicle is provided to support the frame20. The truck12may include various structures and designs as can be appreciated. The purpose of the truck12is to provide a self-powered device for transporting the animals contained within the structure of the frame20. Further discussion of the truck12will not be pursued because the variations to the truck12are deemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings, a frame20is provided that is attached to a rear portion of the truck12. The frame20is self-enclosed for retaining one or more animals within. The frame20includes a plurality of walls that may be ventilated for the animals within. The frame20may be comprised of any shape, size and structure capable of receiving and storing one or more animals as can be appreciated.

As shown inFIG. 2of the drawings, at least one side door40is positioned within the frame20for allowing the entry and exiting of animals from a heightened area such as a dock. It can be appreciated that the side door40is merely optional and is not a required element of the present invention. The side door40may be opened and closed by a third cylinder42as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4of the drawings. The third cylinder42is preferably comprised of a hydraulic cylinder, however various types of actuator devices may be utilized to manipulate the side door40.

As shown inFIG. 1of the drawings, at least one rear door50is positioned within the frame20for allowing the entry and exiting of animals from a heightened area such as a dock. The rear door50may be opened and closed by fourth cylinder52as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4of the drawings. As with the third cylinder42, the fourth cylinder52is preferably comprised of a hydraulic cylinder, however various types of actuator devices may be utilized to manipulate the side door40.

As further shown inFIGS. 3 and 4of the drawings, a plurality of inner partitions62are positioned within the frame20for creating separate holding pens for the animals. In addition, a plurality of inner doors60are positioned within the interior portion of the frame20for allowing guiding, grouping, positioning, and separating of the animals within. The inner doors60are preferably manipulated by actuator devices such as hydraulic cylinders or the like. Various configurations may be utilized to construct the holding pens within the frame20of the animal transporting system10as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The inner doors60and the inner partitions62are arranged so that animals positioned within will stay separated and guided to the desired location.

As further shown inFIGS. 1 through 4of the drawings, a catwalk26is preferably positioned upon the upper portion of the frame20to allow an individual to view the interior contents of the frame20. A front platform24is also preferably attached to the side of the frame20as shown inFIGS. 2 through 4of the drawings. A ladder22is attached to the side of the frame20adjacent the front platform24for allowing access to the front platform24and the catwalk26for an individual.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5through10of the drawings, a ramp30is slidably positioned within an opening within the frame20preferably opposite of the side door40. The ramp30is comprised of a first portion32, a second portion34and a third portion36interconnected to one another. A support member38extends upwardly from the first portion32of the ramp30for providing support to the doors70.

As shown inFIGS. 8 through 10of the drawings, the first portion32of the ramp30is slidably positioned within the frame20. The first portion32represents a horizontal deck when extended from the frame20as best shown inFIG. 10of the drawings. The first portion32is slidably supported within the frame20by a slide rail system or similar structure commonly utilized. An actuator device such as a hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts the first portion32of the ramp30with respect to the frame20as shown inFIG. 7of the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9of the drawings, a second portion34of the ramp30is pivotally attached to the distal portion of the first portion32of the ramp30. The second portion34is capable of being pivoted downwardly with respect to the first portion32and a ground surface as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10of the drawings. One or more first cylinders37are mechanically attached between the first portion32and the second portion34for manipulating the second portion34with respect to the first portion32of the ramp30as shown inFIGS. 7 through 10of the drawings.

As further shown inFIGS. 10 and 11of the drawings, the third portion36of the ramp30is slidably positioned within the second portion34. As best shown inFIG. 10of the drawings, the second portion34is extendable from the second portion34of the ramp30to engage a ground surface for loading and unloading animals into the animal transporting system10. A compression spring80is preferably attached between the inner end of the third portion36and the distal end of the second portion34for assisting in extending the third portion36from within the second portion34when the second portion34is pivoted outwardly from the first cylinders37.

As shown inFIGS. 11 through 13of the drawings, a pair of first doors70are pivotally attached to the frame20about the opening that receives the ramp30. The first doors70have a horizontal plane of movement having a closed state adjacent the side walls of the frame20and an open state on opposing sides of the ramp30. A pair of second cylinders74are connected between the frame20and the first doors70for pivoting the first doors70with respect to the frame20as best shown inFIGS. 12 and 13of the drawings. The second cylinders74may be comprised of any well-known actuator device.

As best shown inFIGS. 15 through 17of the drawings, a pair of second doors72are pivotally attached to the first doors70. A pair of engaging rails76are attached to the outer portions of the second doors72that receive guide pins35attached to the distal portions of the second portion34of the ramp30. A pair of slots78within the engaging rails76allow the guide pins35from the second portion34to extend into and out from the engaging rails76as shown inFIG. 11of the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 19of the drawings, at least one central control unit90is utilized to control the actuators and/or cylinders utilized upon the animal transporting system10. The control unit90includes a plurality of switches commonly utilized to open and close hydraulic valves fluidly connected to the cylinders. Since control units90are commonly utilized no further explanation is required.

FIGS. 20 through 27illustrate the usage of a rear ramp structure attached to the rear of the frame20adjacent to the rear door50. The rear ramp structure is comprised of a rear frame54pivotally attached to the frame20pivoting along a horizontal plane. As best illustrated inFIG. 22, only one side of the rear frame54is pivotally attached to the frame20. A rear frame cylinder56is attached between the frame20and the rear frame54for extending and contracting the rear frame54with respect to the rear portion of the frame20. The rear frame54has a rear floor and a pair of opposing rear sidewalls53that guide the animals from and to the rear door50as best illustrated inFIGS. 20 and 21of the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 25 through 27of the drawings, the rear floor51preferably is declined from the frame20in a rearward manner. The rear floor51preferably includes a gripping material or structure for assisting animals during their travel upon the rear floor.

As shown inFIGS. 20 through 27of the drawings, a rear ramp frame58is pivotally attached to a distal end of the rear frame54and is pivotal along a vertical plane. A rear ramp55and a pair of opposing rear ramp sidewalls59are attached to the rear ramp frame58for guiding the animals. A rear floor cylinder57is connected between the rear frame54and the rear ramp frame58for pivoting the rear ramp frame58with respect to the rear frame54as best illustrated inFIG. 26of the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 20of the drawings, a rear control unit49is positioned upon the rear ramp frame58which allows for the controlling of the rear ramp structure. Using the rear control unit49or the main control unit90, the user is able to control the pressurized fluid to the rear frame cylinder56and the rear floor cylinder57. When the operator desires to load or unload animals through the rear door50onto a ground level surface, the operator manipulates the rear control unit49such that the rear frame cylinder56forces the rear frame54outwardly so as to extend substantially rearwardly and substantially surrounding the rear door50as shown inFIG. 21of the drawings. The user then manipulates the rear control unit49to cause the rear floor cylinder57to pivot the rear ramp frame58outwardly from the rear frame54as shown inFIGS. 20and25of the drawings. As best illustrated inFIG. 25of the drawings, the rear floor51and the rear ramp55preferably form a substantially continuous surface for the animals to walk upon.

In use, the user positions the side of the animal transporting system adjacent a feedlot pen or other animal holding area. The user then actuates the control unit90so that the first doors70are manipulated inwardly toward one another as shown inFIGS. 12 through 14of the drawings. As best shown inFIG. 7of the drawings, once the first doors70are fully extended outwardly with respect to the frame20the ramp30is then extended outwardly along a horizontal plane with the distal end of the first portion32extending a distance above and beyond a feed bunk14and/or fence16. The guide pins35attached to the vertically oriented second portion34of the ramp30pass through the slots78within the engaging rails76so that the guide pins35are properly positioned within the engaging rails76. When the pair of first doors70are fully extended, the first portion32is completely enclosed with the second portion34and third portion36blocking the front portion of the opening from the frame20. After the first portion32of the ramp30is fully extended, the second portion34is pivoted outwardly simultaneously having the guide pins35slidably extend within the engaging rails76and simultaneously pivot the second doors72with respect to the first doors70as shown inFIG. 15of the drawings. When the second portion34of the ramp30is substantially horizontal, the spring80begins to force the third portion36outwardly from within the second portion34of the ramp30. When the second portion34of the ramp30is inclined downwardly, the third portion36is extended outwardly from the second portion34until the distal end of the third portion36is in engagement with the ground surface as shown inFIG. 17of the drawings. The second doors72completely surround the second portion34and a portion of the third portion36of the ramp30as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18of the drawings. The individual then may load or unload animals into the animal transporting system10as desired. During loading or unloading, the animals are guided by the inner doors60and inner partitions60to the desired location depending upon the position of the inner doors60. When the individual is finished, the above process is simply reversed until the ramp30is returned into the frame20and the doors70,72are adjacent the side of the frame20as shown inFIG. 1of the drawings.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.