An implement for passing in predetermined directions of separate groups of animals from one area to an other

Abstract: The invention relates to an implement for passing a first group of animals in a first direction from a first area (1) to a second area (2), which implement comprises means for providing a passage in the first direction and for blocking the passage in the direction opposite to the first direction. The implement further comprises means which are designed to provide a passage for a second group of animals, crossing the first group of animals and being separated therefrom, in a second direction from a third area (3) to a fourth area (4), and for blocking the passage in the direction opposite to the second direction, while the means further prevent the first group of animals from passing in the second direction or the direction opposite thereto and a second group of animals from passing in the first direction or the direction opposite thereto.

Description: The invention relates to an implement for passing a first group of animals in a first direction from a first area to a second area according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an implement is known from GB-C-227,591. The invention aims at providing an alternative implement suitable for controlling the movement of two groups of animals, which are separated from each other. For that purpose the implement of the sort as defined above comprises according to the invention the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. In what follows the invention will be further explained on the basis of non-restricting exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the implement according to the invention; Figure 2 is a detailed view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view according to the arrow III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view according to the arrow IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1 of an alternative embodiment; and Figure 6 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 2 of another alternative embodiment. The implement shown in Figure 1 has for its object to pass e.g. a first group of animals from area 1 to area 2 and to pass a second group of animals from area 3 to area 4, whilst excluding the possibility that animals belonging to one group join the other group. It will be obvious that it is possible for the animals to pass the implement e.g. at random intervals, one by one or in an almost continuous stream of animals. The implement is provided with pivoting gates 6, 7 which are capable of pivoting about respective upwardly orientated pivot shafts 5. Two pivot shafts 5 are each time located in a common angular point of the arrangement of the pivoting gates, which arrangement, seen in plan view, is substantially rectangular. These pivot shafts may also be integrated so as to form one common pivot shaft for two pivoting gates. The pivoting gates 6, 7 can only pivot from the shown closed position in the direction of the respective arrow. A pivoting movement in the opposite direction from the shown closed position is impeded by suitable stopping and/or blocking means, here constituted by stops 8. The pivoting gates are repelled to their shown closed position by means known per se to the man skilled in the art, which means may be based on spring action or gravity, and in the latter case be constituted e.g. by a key guided in an obliquely upwardly extending groove or an obliquely positioned pivot shaft, which embodiment is visible in Figure 2. In plan view, the pivoting gates 6, 7 have substantially the same size. Each pivoting gate 6 can be opened by a pivoting movement substantially maximally until a respective pivoting gate 7. A further pivoting movement is impeded by stopping means, here again by the stops 8. By opening a pivoting gate 6 the passage via the adjacent pivoting gate 7 is blocked automatically. By adapting the size of the pivoting gates to the animals for which the implement is intended, it is ensured that a pivoting gate 6 has to be opened substantially completely for the passage of a group of animals, so that the passage through the adjacent pivoting gate 7 is blocked automatically. Besides, in another manner it can also be ensured that, as soon as a pivoting gate 6 is opened, the adjacent pivoting gate 7 is blocked in its closed position. Releasing blocking means act on the pivoting gates 6, which releasing blocking means, upon opening of one pivoting gate 6, block an other in its closed position. A first embodiment of these blocking means is shown in Figures 2 to 4 and comprises a blocking beam 10 extending upwardly over a considerable height of preferably at least half the height of the pivoting gate 6, which blocking beam 10 is pivotable about a pivot shaft 9 located near the ground 11 and extending at least substantially horizontally. This beam 10 comprises an engaging element, here constituted by a space 12 which is open at one side, for engaging a part of the pivoting gate 6, here constituted by the upwardly extending portion 13 of the respective pivoting gate 6, when the pivoting gate 6 is entirely or almost entirely closed. This recess 12 preferably only extends over a relatively small part of the height of the pivoting gate 6. Upon opening of the respective pivoting gate, the beam 10 is taken along over a limited angle of pivoting, until the upwardly extending portion 13 is free from the recess 12. In this manner the beam 10 assumes the position shown in interrupted lines in Figure 2, so that the pivoting movement of the other pivoting gate 6 is blocked. A second embodiment of these blocking means is shown in Figure 5. These blocking means comprise a blocking element 15 preferably extending at least substantially parallel to the pivot shaft 5 of the respective pivoting gate 6, which blocking element 15, seen in plan view, has the shape of a segment of a circle and pivots along with one pivoting gate 6, and a similar blocking element 16 which pivots along with the other pivoting gate 6. The size of the element 15, 16 and the mutual arrangement of the element 15, 16 and the respective pivoting gate 6 are such that only when one pivoting gate 6 is opened, the element 15 cooperates in a blocking manner with the other pivoting gate 6. For example, an element 15, 16 engages an upper edge region of the respective pivoting gate 6 in such a manner that the cows can walk under an element 15, 16. The element 15, 16 may also be replaced by a beam element that is pivotable about the same pivot shaft, which beam element, like the blocking beam 10 of Figure 2, pivots from its closed position over a limited angle along with the respective pivoting gate and, when the pivoting gate 6 is opened sufficiently far, engages with its free end the other pivoting gate. A third embodiment of these blocking means is shown in Figure 6. These blocking means comprise a preferably plate-like locking member 18 which is rotatable about an upwardly orientated pivot shaft 17 and which is provided with an engaging element for each pivoting gate 6, which engaging element is constituted in this situation by a lug 20 with a recess 19. The recesses 19 define the shape of the lug 20 whose legs extend so far that, when the two pivoting gates 6 open at the same time by a pivoting movement, they are both stopped by said lug 20. When only one pivoting gate 6 is opened by a pivoting movement, then, by pushing against the lug 20, the member 18 is rotated so that the lug 20 allows said pivoting gate to pass (represented imaginarily).

Claims: An implement for passing a first group of animals in a first direction from a first area (1) to a second area (2), which implement comprises means for providing a passage in the first direction and for blocking the passage in the direction opposite to the first direction, the means being designed for providing a passage for a second group of animals being separated from the first group of animals in a second direction from a third area (3) to a fourth area (4) and for blocking the passage in the direction opposite to the second direction, said second direction crossing the first direction, while the means further prevent the first group of animals from passing in the second direction and the direction opposite thereto and the second group of animals from passing in the first direction and the direction opposite thereto, said means comprising a first gate (6), such as a pivoting gate, arranged between the first and the second area, which, in its closed position, blocks the passage of the first group of animals and can be opened exclusively in the first direction, while the first gate (6), in its opened position, blocks the passage of the second group of animals, said means comprising a second gate (6), such as a pivoting gate, arranged between the third and the fourth area, which, in its closed position, blocks the passage of the second group of animals and can be opened exclusively in the second direction, while the second gate (6), in its opened position, blocks the passage of the first group of animals, characterized in that the implement comprises releasing blocking means acting on the pivoting gates (6), which releasing blocking means, upon opening of one pivoting gate (6), block the other one in its closed position. Implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the releasing blocking means comprises a blocking beam (10). Implement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the blocking beam (10) extends upwardly. Implement as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the blocking beam (10) extends upwardly over at least half the height of the pivoting gate (6). Implement as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said blocking beam (10) is pivotable about a pivot shaft (9) located near the ground (11) and extending at least substantially horizontally. Implement as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that said blocking beam (10) comprises an engaging element (12) for engaging a part of the pivoting gate (6). Implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the releasing blocking means comprise a blocking element (15) which, seen in plan view, has the shape of a segment of a circle and pivots along with one pivoting gate (6), and a similar blocking element (16) which pivots along with the other pivoting gate (6). Implement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the blocking element (15) extends at least substantially parallel to the pivot shaft (5) of the respective pivoting gate (6). Implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said releasing blocking means comprise a plate-like locking member (18) which is rotatable about an upwardly orientated pivot shaft (17) and which is provided with an engaging element for each pivoting gate (6). Implement as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said engaging element is constituted by a lug (20) with a recess (19). Implement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the recesses (19) define the shape of the lug (20) whose legs extend so far that, when the two pivoting gates (6) open at the same time by a pivoting movement, they are both stopped by said lug (20).

Inventors: VERBURG CARLO, VERBURG, CARLO
Applicants: MAASLAND NV, MAASLAND N.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1