Knock box

A knock box including an inlet end and a discharge end. The knock box includes a vertically movable discharge gate at one side thereof. The knock box also includes a laterally movable squeeze panel or push-out panel which narrows the interior of the box for smaller animals and which may be used to push an animal outwardly through the discharge opening when the discharge gate is in its open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a knock or knocking box. More particularly, this invention relates to a knock box wherein animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep or goats are either shot or stunned.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many types of confinement knock or knocking boxes have been previously provided wherein livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs or goats are confined therein to enable the livestock to be shot or stunned prior to being butchered. First, the prior art knock boxes are very expensive to manufacture. Second, the prior art knock boxes do not satisfactorily stabilize or restrain the animal therein once the animal has entered the knock box. Third, the prior art boxes are not able to accommodate both large animals such as cattle as well as smaller animals such as pigs, etc. Fourth, the prior art knock boxes do not provide a satisfactory means to remove the animal from the knock box after the animal has been shot or stunned therein. Fifth, the prior art knock boxes are difficult to clean after the animal has been ejected therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A knock box is disclosed for confining an animal therein to enable the animal to be shot or stunned. The invention includes a generally rectangular support floor or support structure having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and an inclined upper surface which extends downwardly from the first side of the support floor to the second side of the support floor. Preferably, the support floor structure is comprised of concrete.

An upstanding first support post has its lower end bolted to the support floor at the first side of the support floor at the first end of the support floor. An upstanding second support post has its lower end bolted to the support floor at the second side of the support floor at the first end of the support floor. A first horizontally disposed beam is secured to the first and second support posts and extends therebetween at the upper ends of the first and second support posts. A second horizontally disposed beam is secured to the first and second support posts and extends therebetween adjacent the lower ends of the first and second support posts. A third horizontally disposed beam is secured to the first and second support posts between the first and second beams and extends between the first and second support posts. A plurality of vertically disposed and horizontally spaced bars or rails are secured to the second and third beams and extend therebetween. An upstanding third support post has its lower end secured to the support floor at the second end of the support floor at the first side of the support floor. An upstanding fourth support post has its lower end bolted to the support floor at the second side of the support floor at the second end of the support floor. A horizontally extending beam is secured to and extends between the upper ends of the third and fourth support posts.

The third and fourth support posts define an open inlet end. A vertically disposed inlet gate extends between the third and fourth support posts. The inlet gate is selectively vertically movable between open and closed positions. The inlet gate, when in its closed position, closes the open inlet end of the box. When the inlet gate is in the open position, an animal may enter the box. A vertically disposed and generally horizontally movable squeeze panel is movably positioned between the first and third support posts. The squeeze panel is horizontally movable between a first outer position relative to the first and third support posts and a second inner position relative to the first and third support posts. The squeeze panel enables the knock box to accommodate large and small animals. The squeeze panel also helps to stabilize the animal within the box. A vertically disposed and vertically movable discharge gate is movably positioned between the second and fourth support posts. The discharge gate is selectively movable between a lower closed position and an upper open upper position.

The squeeze panel not only enables the box to accommodate large and small animals but provides a push-out mechanism to push the killed animal from the box after the vertically disposed gate which extends between the second and fourth gates has been moved to its upper open position.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved knock or knocking box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knock box which has means associated therewith to restrain the animal in the box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knock box which has an inclined support floor which is inclined towards the discharge gate thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knock box which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knock box which is convenient to operate.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a knock box which includes means to eject the killed animal from the box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The knock or knocking box of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral10. Box10includes a generally rectangular support structure12which is preferably constructed of concrete. Support structure12includes a first end14, a second end16, a first side18and a second side20. Support structure12has an inclined floor22which is inclined downwardly from the first side18of the support structure12to the second side20of the support structure12. Preferably, a ramp or step is provided at end16of support structure12.

A first vertically disposed post26has its lower end bolted to support structure12adjacent the first end14of the support structure12and the first side18of the support structure12. A second vertically disposed support post28has its lower end bolted to support structure12adjacent the first end14of the support structure12and the second side20of the support structure12. A third vertically disposed support post30has its lower end bolted to support structure12adjacent the second end16of the support structure12and the first side18of the support structure12. A fourth support post32has its lower end bolted to support structure12adjacent the second end16of support structure and the second side20of the support structure12.

A horizontally disposed beam34is secured to support posts26and28at the upper ends thereof and extends therebetween. A horizontally disposed beam35is secured to support posts26and28and extends therebetween below beam34. A horizontally disposed beam36is secured to support posts26and28and extends therebetween adjacent the lower ends thereof. A plurality of vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart bars or rails38are secured to beams35and36and extend therebetween. A flat shield37is secured to the upper ends of support posts26and28and extends therebetween.

A horizontally disposed beam40is secured to support posts30and32and extends therebetween at the upper ends of support posts30and32. A horizontally disposed beam42is secured to and extends between support posts28and32adjacent the upper ends thereof. A horizontally disposed beam44is secured to support posts28and32and extends therebetween below beam42. A horizontally disposed beam46is secured to and extends between the upper ends of support posts26and30. A horizontally disposed beam48is secured to support posts26and30and extends therebetween below beam46. A horizontally disposed beam50is secured to support posts26and30and extends therebetween below beam48. A plurality of horizontally disposed bars, rails or pipes52are secured to beams34and40and extend therebetween in a spaced-apart manner.

A vertically disposed channel member54is secured to support post28at the inner side thereof as seen inFIG. 2. A vertically disposed channel member56is secured to support post32at the inner side thereof as seen inFIG. 1. Channel members54and56are configured to vertically movably support discharge gate58therein as will now be described. Gate58includes an elongated and horizontally disposed upper frame member60, a first side frame member62, a second side frame member64, a lower frame member66and an intermediate frame member68which extends between frame members62and64as seen inFIG. 3. A plurality of vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart bars70are secured to frame members60and68and extend therebetween (FIG. 3). A panel member72is secured to frame members62and64below frame member68and extends therebetween, as also seen inFIG. 3. The lower end of panel member72is secured to frame member66by welding. Panel member72is also welded to side frame members62and64as well as to frame member68. A plurality of rollers74are secured to the outer side of frame member62in a spaced-apart manner so as to extend outwardly from frame member62(FIG. 3). A plurality of rollers76are secured to the outer side of frame member64in a spaced-apart manner so as to extend outwardly from frame member64(FIG. 3). The rollers74are vertically movably received by channel member54on support post28and the rollers76are vertically movably received by channel member56on support post32. Gate58is selectively vertically movable between the closed position ofFIG. 1to the open position ofFIG. 6as will be described in more detail hereinafter. An elongated toothed gear rack78is secured to the outer side of frame member62and an elongated toothed gear rack80is secured to the outer side of frame member64.

The numeral82refers to an elongated drive shaft which is positioned below beam44as seen inFIG. 1. One end of shaft82is rotatably secured to support post32and has a sprocket84secured to shaft82for rotation with shaft82at the inner side of support post32. The other end of shaft82rotatably extends through support post28and is connected to a gear box86which is mounted on a support88which is secured to support post28as seen inFIG. 1. Gear box86is driven by a reversible electric motor90. A sprocket92is mounted on shaft82for rotation therewith. Sprocket84is in mesh with the teeth of gear rack80on gate58and sprocket92is in mesh with the teeth of gear racks78on gate58. Thus, rotation of shaft82in a first direction will cause gate58to be moved upwardly with respect to support posts28and32. Rotation of shaft82in an opposite direction will cause gate58to be moved downwardly with respect to support posts28and32. A safety shield94is secured to beam44and extends between support posts28and32to prevent a person from coming into contact with the shaft82, sprocket84and sprocket92.

The numeral96refers to an elongated and inclined channel member having an inner end98and an outer end100. The inner end of channel member96is secured to support post28by welding. Channel member96is also supported by beam50or support post26so that the outer end100of channel member96is positioned outwardly of beam48. The numeral102refers to an inclined channel member which is secured to support post30so as to extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Channel member102dwells in the same plane as channel member96.

The numeral104refers to a gear box which is mounted on a support brace106which is secured to beam50between the ends thereof. Gear box104is driven by a reversible electric motor106. Shaft108extends from gear box104towards support post30and has a sprocket109mounted on the end thereof for rotation therewith which is positioned adjacent channel member102. Shaft112extends from gear box104towards support post26. A sprocket114is mounted on shaft112for rotation therewith adjacent channel member96. The outer ends of shafts108and112are suitably mounted in bearings.

The numeral110refers to a combination squeeze plate and carcass push-out assembly. Assembly110includes a vertically disposed framework112having an upper end114, lower end116, first side118, second side120, a front side121and a back side122. A panel124is secured to the front side121of framework112. Plate126is secured to the back side122of framework112by bolts, welding, etc., adjacent side118between the upper and lower ends of framework112as seen inFIG. 7. Support brace128is secured to the back side of plate126and extends outwardly therefrom. A support member130has its forward end secured to plate126and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The outer end of brace128is secured to support member130. An elongated toothed gear rack132is secured to the upper surface of support member130. A plurality of spaced-apart rollers134extend from the side of support member130as seen inFIG. 7.

Plate136is secured to the back side122of framework112by bolts, welding, etc., adjacent side120between the upper and lower ends of framework112as seen inFIG. 7. Support brace138is secured to the back side of plate136and extends outwardly therefrom. A support member140has its forward end secured to plate136and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The outer end of brace138is secured to support member138. An elongated toothed gear rack142is secured to the upper surface of support member140. A plurality of spaced-apart rollers144extend from the side of support member140as seen inFIG. 7.

As seen inFIG. 2, support post32has an elongated and vertically disposed channel member146secured thereto. As also seen inFIG. 2, support post30has an elongated and vertically disposed channel member148secured thereto. Channel members146and148are configured to have a vertically movable entrance gate150vertically slidably movable therein. Gate150is selectively movable between a closed position and an open position. A rope or cable152is secured to the upper end of gate150and extends upwardly therefrom over a pully154mounted on a support structure156which extends upwardly from beam40. In some cases, the gate150is not needed if the entrance end of the box10is located closely to an entrance door or the like. However, the use of gate150is preferred.

The operation of the box10will now be described. Initially, the discharge gate58and the inlet gate150will be in their dosed positions. The squeeze panel110will normally be in its outer position, as illustrated by solid lines inFIG. 9. If the animal to be processed is a large animal, the squeeze panel110will temporarily be left in the position ofFIG. 9. If the animal is a smaller animal such as a pig, etc., the squeeze panel110may be positioned in the dashed line position ofFIG. 9to create a more narrow alleyway for the animal. The inlet gate150, if not already in the raised position, will be raised to open the inlet end of the box. The animal will then be moved into the interior of the box10at which time the inlet gate150will be closed. If it is desired to limit the side-to-side movement of the animal, the squeeze gate58may be moved inwardly towards the animal.

At that time, the animal will be shot or stunned in conventional fashion. The discharge gate58is then raised so that the animal falls outwardly from the box10. The discharge of the animal from the box10is encouraged by the sloped floor of the box10. If the animal does not fall out of the interior of the box10, the squeeze panel58will be moved to the solid line position ofFIG. 10to push the animal from the box10. The animal is then processed in conventional fashion.

The box10is extremely durable, easy to use, easy to clean and safe to use.