DEVICE FOR BRUSHING THE BACK OF ANIMALS

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for brushing the back of animals comprising a frame for disposing in a fixed position to which a brush unit is connected for up and down­ ward movement. A known brushing device comprises a bracket carrying the brush unit, of which the bracket legs are guided in colum­ ns standing vertically from the base. The device is substan­ tially gate-shaped. The current invention has for its object to improve the above described device in the sense that while preserving a very good brushing action and cleaning characteristics the manufacturing costs of the brushing device can be further decreased. This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that a single carrier arm carrying the brush unit is guided on the frame for reciprocating movement.

Description: The invention relates to a device for brushing the back of animals comprising a frame for disposing in a fixed position to which a brush unit is connected for up and down­ ward movement. Such a brushing device is described in the as yet unpublished European patent application 87.2001292. This brushing device comprises a bracket carrying the brush unit, of which the bracket legs are guided in columns standing vertically from the base. The device is substantially gate-­ shaped. The current invention has for its object to improve the above described device in the sense that while preserving a very good brushing action and cleaning characteristics the manufacturing costs of the brushing device can be further decreased. This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that a single carrier arm carrying the brush unit is guided on the frame for reciprocating movement. It has namely been found that the brush unit only requires guiding on one side thereof. According to a first embodiment of the invention the brush unit comprises a brush roll rotatable round a lying rod connected to the carrier arm. A rotary brush hereby has the advantage that as a result of the rotational movement during brushing the brush bristles are not flattened, and in addition dirtying of the brush unit is reduced, this dirtying being greatest when the brush bristles are pressed flat. If in preference the device comprises a friction coupling acting on the brush roll, the rotational movement of the brush can be set such as to avoid on the one hand the occurrence of an insufficient brushing effect in the case of too easy rotation of the brush, and on the other the occur­ rence of the above stated drawbacks as a result of non-rota­ tion of the brush during brushing. It is desirable for optimal rotation of the brush roll that it extends substantially transversely of the direc­ tion of movement of the back being brushed. An optimum posi­ tioning of the brush roll is obtained if in preference the rod is fastened to a spring attached to the carrier arm. If the spring consists of a spiral spring it is advantageous to accommodate the spiral spring in a protective sleeve so as to avoid any contact between the animals and the spiral spring whereby pinching is substantially precluded. For brushing of a lower lying portion of the back and the flanks it is advantageous that the brushing device also comprises a brush roll rotatable round an upright shaft attached to the frame. It is advantageous that this upright brush roll is free rotating. During brushing on the lying brush roll the animal performs a movement back and forth and the protruding flank portions of the animal will touch the upright brush and set it into rotation, as a result of which flattening and dirtying of the brush bristles is avoided. The result of all this is a longer life of the vertical brush. Should the animal wish to brush its flanks it will then per­ form a more vertical movement along the upright disposed brush roll and this movement will result in no or virtually no rotation of the brush roll while producing a sufficient brushing effect. In accordance with a second embodiment of the inven­ tion the brush unit is substantially bracket-shaped and com­ prises locking means which secure the carrier arm against a rotation relative to the fixed position. In this way is avoid­ ed that the brush unit begins to twist during brushing, which torsion movement has a negative effect on the brushing action. The locking means preferably comprise a carrier arm support connected to the carrier arm, which support is mounted for up and downward reciprocation in an upright frame tube with a non-round, for instance square, bearing means. The frame can thus be arranged on the shed floor or be attached to a post, railing or shed wall. In accordance with a favour­ able embodiment an annular bearing cover is placed on the free end of the frame tube, in which cover a ring of bearing elements is accommodated serving as bearing for the carrier arm support inserted through the bearing cover. In another embodiment whereby the carrier arm sup­ port protrudes laterally out of the upright frame tube, it is desirable that a protective cover guards a channel open towards the top and defined by the bracket-shaped brush unit and the frame tube. This prevents an animal becoming stuck in this channel and, in the case it jumps up against the device, striking against upright construction parts and being diverted away from the device. If in preference the free end of the bracket-like brush unit is provided with a protective sole, this prevents the free end causing injury to the animal in the case it should jump up. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the device the embodiment may be recommended which has the special fea­ ture that the brushing device possesses at least partially a curvature adapted to the shape of the back of an animal to be brushed. To this end a variant can for example be used in which the brush roll displays a mildly double-conical form. In another embodiment the brush roll comprises in lengthwise direction at least two segments placed at an angle to each other. Great flexibility is achieved with a variant whereby the angle can be adjusted. Mentioned and other characteristics of the invention will be described hereinafter on the basis of various embodi­ ments of the brushing device according to the invention, whereby reference is made to the annexed drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brushing device according to the invention which is guided for reciprocating movement in an upright, open frame tube; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention with a bracket-shaped brush unit which is guided for reciprocating movement on a frame attached to a wall; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention whereby the brush unit is formed by two rotary brush rolls; Fig. 4 is a partly broken away perspective view similar to fig. 3 of a further embodiment; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a variant whereby the more or less horizontally extending brush roll takes a segmented form; and Fig. 6 is a view corresponding with fig. 5 of a variant in which the relative angle position of the brush roll segments is adjustable. Fig. 1 shows a brushing device 1 according to the invention. Brushing device 1 comprises a T-shaped frame foot 4 which is arranged on a fixed position 6 with bolts 5. Welded onto frame foot 4 is a frame tube 7 of square section. Frame tube 7 is provided on its lower end with shores 8 welded thereto and to frame foot 4. Placed on the top end of frame tube 7 is an annular bearing cover 9 attached thereto with screws 8. Accommodated in bearing cover 9 is a ring 10 of roller bearings 11 attached in bearing cover 9 for free rota­ tion. The bracket-like brush unit 14 provided with a brush member 13 comprises a carrier arm 15 which passes into the carrier arm support 12 which is bearing mounted with a non-round, in this case square, bearing means 16 in frame tube 7 and in the rest position rests on a compression spring 17. Through the use of roller bearings 11 and the bear­ ing means 16 the carrier arm 15 is substantially locked again­ st a rotation relative to the fixed position 6. The free end 18 of the bracket-shaped brush unit 14 is furnished with a protective sole 19 that widens towards the bottom. In the brushing device 2 as in fig. 2 a frame plate 20 is attached firmly with bolts 21 to a wall 22. Welded in position onto frame plate 20 is a frame tube 23 provided with a vertical slot 24. In frame tube 23 is guided a rectangular bearing block 25 which rests in its rest position against a compression spring 26. The brush unit 27 which in this case is also angular and bracket-shaped is attached to bearing block 25 with the carrier arm 28 that is placed through the slot 24. In this way the brush unit 27 is guided for recip­ rocating movement in the frame tube 23. The rectangular bear­ ing block secures brush unit 27 against a rotation relative to the fixed position, which in this case is the wall 22. A channel 29 opening towards the top which is de­ fined by a portion of the bracket-shaped brush unit 27, the carrier arm or carrier arm support 28 protruding laterally out of frame tube 23 and the vertical frame tube 23 itself, is protected by a protective cover 30 which is fastened to the brush unit 27 and is guided along frame tube 23 with lobes 31, 32. The free end 33 of brush unit 27 is provided with a protective sole in the form of a bracket 34. With the brushing device 3 according to the inven­ tion as shown in fig. 3 a frame 35 is firmly attached with bolts 36 to a concrete post 37 arranged in a shed. The frame comprises a tube 39 of square section provided with a vertical slot 38, in which tube is mounted a bearing block 40 with bearing mounted wheels 42 placed for free rotation on shaft end parts 41. This bearing unit can be inserted into frame tube 39 by first removing a cover cap 43 of frame tube 39. In its rest position the bearing block 40 rests on a compression spring 44. The brushing device 3 comprises as brush unit a lying, rotating brush roll 46 which is mounted for rotation round a rod 47 which forms a free spring member of a spiral spring 48 which is placed and welded in position on a stump-­ shaped carrier arm 45. Carrier arm 45 is firmly attached via a connecting piece 49 placed through the slot 38 to the bear­ ing block 40. The lying brush roll 46 is in this way guided for up and downward movement on frame 35. Brush roll 46 is enclosed between an annular washer 50 rigidly attached to rod 47 and a washer 51 placed on rod 47. Washer 51 is under spring bias of a spring 52 in the direction of washer 50, the spring 52 supporting on a washer 53 lying against a nut 54 screwed onto rod 47. With the above described friction coupling 50-54 the initial force can be adjusted for setting brush roll 46 into rotation. Placed on frame tube 39 beneath the reciprocating, lying and rotatable brush roll 46 is an upright rotating brush roll 58 which can turn freely on a shaft 57 accommodated between frame noses 55, 56. In order to avoid portions of the animal being caught in the spiral spring 48 a concertina-like protective sleeve 59 is fitted round spiral spring 48. Fig. 4 shows a brushing device 59 which corresponds partially with the device 3 as in fig. 3. The various cor­ responding components are therefore designated with the same reference numerals as therein; they will not be further named or discussed. The essential difference between device 3 and device 59 is the form of the brush rolls. Device 59 comprises a vertical brush roll 61 and a horizontal brush roll 60 cor­ responding with the respective brush rolls 58 and 46 as in fig. 3, which brush rolls 60 and 61 have a mildly double-­ conical form. This provides a certain adaptation to the back of an animal to be brushed. The figures 5 and 6 show respectively a device 62 and a device 63 which are designed with this same object in mind. In the case of fig. 5 the more or less horizontally extending brush roll is built up of two brush roll segments 64, 65 positioned at an angle to each other. These segments are coupled to each other at a fixed angle by an angle socket 66. The device 63 according to fig. 6 differs from the device 62 in the sense that the angle socket is replaced by two flange elements 67 that are adjustable relative to each other and which can be fixed in position by means of a screw connection 68. It will be apparent that in the embodiments as according to figures 5 and 6 the vertical brush roll 58 could if required also display a curvature as in fig. 4, or also be constructed segmentally. Conversely, the vertical brush 61 in the embodiment as in fig. 4 could display a cylindrical form similar to the brush 58 as in fig. 3. The number of segments in the embodiments as accor­ ding to figures 5 and 6 may be other than two.

Claims: 1. Device for brushing the back of animals compri­ sing a frame for disposing in a fixed position to which a brush unit is connected for up and downward movement, charac­ terized in that a single carrier arm carrying said brush unit is guided on said frame for reciprocating movement. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the brush unit comprises a brush roll rotatable round a lying rod connected to the carrier arm. 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the brush unit comprises a brush roll rotatable round an upright shaft attached to the frame. 4. Device as claimed in claims 2-3, characterized by a friction coupling acting on the brush roll. 5. Device as claimed in claims 2-4, characterized in that the rod is fastened to a spring attached to the car­ rier arm. 6. Device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the spring is a spiral spring accommodated in a protec­ tive sleeve. 7. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the brush unit is substantially bracket-shaped and the device comprises locking means which secure the carrier arm against a rotation relative to the fixed position. 8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the locking means comprise a carrier arm support con­ nected to the carrier arm, which support is mounted for up and downward reciprocation in an upright frame tube with a non-round, for instance square, bearing means. 9. Device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that an annular bearing cover is placed on the free end of the frame tube, in which cover a ring of bearing elements is accommodated serving as bearing for the carrier arm support inserted through said bearing cover. 10. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the carrier arm support protrudes laterally out of the upright frame tube and a protective cover screens off a channel opening towards the top and defined by the bracket-­ shaped brush unit and said frame tube. 11. Device as claimed in claims 7-10, characterized in that the free end of the bracket-like brush unit is pro­ vided with a protective sole. 12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing clai­ ms, characterized in that the brushing device displays at last partially a curvature adapted to the shape of the back of an animal to be brushed. 13. Device as claimed in claim 12 and claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the brush roll displays a mildly double-­ conical form. 14. Device as claimed in claim 12 and claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the brush roll comprises in lengthwise direction at least two segments placed at an angle to each other. 15. Device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said angle can be adjusted. 16. Device as claimed in any of the forgoing claims characterized by spring means for urging the carrier arm to a rest position relative to the frame in combination with the weight force of said carrier arm together with the brush unit. 17. Device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the spring means are accommodated inside the frame.

Inventors: LIET, FREDERICUS
Applicants: LIETS AGRARISCHE TECHNIEKEN B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A01K13
IPC codes: A01K13