Abstract:
A removable corral assembly for use in a livestock trailer which includes a plurality of interlocking livestock panels. The panels are in a substantial U-shape so when they are installed in the livestock trailer a left aisle and right aisle are formed with a middle or center aisle which is segregated. The worker stands in the center aisle and is protected from livestock being worked in the left and right aisles. A catch gate or squeeze chute may be associated with the corral assembly and positioned near the rear opening of the trailer in either the left or right aisle. Rollers, wheels or similar mechanisms are fastened to the panel assembly so that the corral can easily be rolled in to and out of a livestock trailer. Varying panel sizes may be used to adjust the overall dimensions of the corral assembly for installation in trailers having varying sizes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claim benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/217,278, filed May 29, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a corral and head gate assembly for use in a livestock trailer and more particularly to such an assembly that is quickly and easily installed or removed. 
         [0003]    Livestock corrals are commonplace on farms, ranches and feed lots. Corral assemblies typically include a number of fences, panels or gates all interconnected to form various chutes, runways, capture or loading facilities for livestock. Such corral assemblies are generally permanent structures and are often found built adjacent to barns or other buildings. 
         [0004]    It is not uncommon, however, for farmers and ranchers to have widespread fields, pasture land or even feed lots where it is impractical or overly expensive to have a permanent corral system. It is also impractical and unduly expensive to install permanent corral and livestock catching facilities on leased or rented pasture land where the livestock owner might have to leave the permanent corral system as a fixture to the real state upon termination of the lease. Another significant drawback to permanent corral and livestock capturing facilities is that animals have to either be loaded in a transport vehicle and hauled to the facility or otherwise forcibly driven to the permanent structure. 
         [0005]    Livestock trailers come in a variety of dimensions ranging in width from five to eight feet and lengths from approximately 12 to approximately 40 feet long. Livestock trailers are very convenient to load and transport animals from and to remote locations. It is common practice to load livestock into transport trailers in fields or pasture land by assembling a temporary corral external the trailer into which the animals are driven, then captured and then loaded on to the trailer. Assembling even a temporary corral for loading livestock into a trailer, however, is time consuming and labor intensive. Moreover, if a single, or very few, animals are to be loaded, it can take substantial time to capture the animal, place it in the trailer and then haul it to a remote location. What is desirable is a portable livestock trailer which includes an internal corral system which allows easy loading, sorting, inspection or working of livestock. However, because livestock trailers are also used for hauling animals for relocation, and any other variety of purposes, a livestock trailer with a dedicated internal corral assembly may be impractical and too expensive for sporadic use. Accordingly, a corral assembly with a livestock catch system which could be quickly installed into a livestock trailer for use and then removed therefrom when not in use would solve several of the identified problems. Such a system would allow a conventional livestock trailer to be retrofit with a corral and livestock catch assembly. Moreover, it would allow the livestock trailer to be used for hauling and transporting animals when the corral and catch assembly is not needed. Finally, such an assembly would allow the user to have an easily transportable and versatile livestock corral for use in remote locations and would preclude the need for multiple fixed corral system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a new corral assembly and livestock catching device which is removably installed into a livestock trailer. The corral assembly comprises a substantially U-shaped system of cattle panels mounted on rollers. The corral assembly can easily be rolled in to a livestock trailer to form two animal working aisles and a protected internal aisle for the user. A conventional head gate or catch gate is installed on one side of the corral panel assembly and may be hinged for opening. One side of the catch gate can be removably fastened to the rear most portion of the livestock trailer for stability. In a second embodiment of the invention the conventional catch gate is replaced by a squeeze chute of common design which is mounted to one side of the corral assembly. When the corral assembly is in place either the catch gate or the squeeze chute assembly is located near the back of the trailer. Animals to be worked or loaded into the aisle alleyway opposite the catch gate or squeeze chute and are maneuvered toward the front of the trailer, around the bend of the U-shaped corral assembly and down the working aisle of the system. The operator remains in the central aisle and is protected from direct contact with the animals as they are moved about the alleyways. Any number of hinged swing gates can be provided to segregate animals as they are worked through the system. An animal to be worked is captured in the catch gate or squeeze chute assembly and can be directly released exterior the trailer after the work is completed. Because most livestock trailers are provided with side gates, the innovative corral assembly also works well for sorting livestock in to different groups by selectively releasing animals out the trailer side gates into independently corralled areas. 
         [0007]    The innovative corral assembly is an unitary device which can be easily rolled into a livestock trailer. It is to be understood that several different sizes of corral assemblies may be provided for use in varying sized trailers. Because the system is unitary and on wheels or other rollers, it does not necessarily have to be attached to the interior of the livestock trailer when installed. It may be preferable, however, to have multiple bracing units that contact the ceiling or sides of the trailer without impeding the travel pathway of the animals. This will add stability to the system and decrease the likelihood of damage to the system by animals during use. 
         [0008]    When the internal corral assembly is no longer needed, it is simply rolled out of the livestock trailer and stored until the next use. Installation and use of the assembly does not require any modification to existing livestock trailers and does not cause any damage or undue wear on the livestock trailers. 
         [0009]    In one configuration of the inventive device, additional short panels may be used on the sides or the board portion of the corral assembly which can be easily removed to adjust the dimensions of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed in a trailer. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed in a livestock trailer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed in a livestock trailer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed in a livestock trailer. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed into a livestock trailer. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the corral assembly installed in a livestock trailer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly partially installed in a livestock trailer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of the corral assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now generally to the drawings, a removable corral assembly is provided for use in a livestock trailer. The corral assembly can be adapted and fit into a livestock trailer having virtually any dimensions. The livestock trailer will have a forward portion connectable to a truck or other towing vehicle and a rearward open end in to which animals are loaded. A pair of opposed sides span between the forward and rearward end of the trailer. 
         [0020]    Livestock trailers are generally configured in one of two manners, one for bumper hitch attachment and one for goose neck attachment. It is understood that the inventive device can be used in either type of trailer. Moreover, trailers vary in width between approximately five feet and approximately eight feet wide and can have a length from between approximately 10 feet and over 40 feet. Again, the inventive device can be sized for use in a trailer having any of these dimensions. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  a removable corral assembly  102  is shown installed in a livestock trailer  100 . As will be seen more clearly in relation to later figures, corral assembly  102  comprises a first end  104  located adjacent to and across the open rear end  106  of the trailer  100 . In various embodiments of the corral assembly  102 , various gates and chutes are mounted on the first end  104  to control the flow of livestock through the trailer  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a ramp  108  and gate  110  are provide to control the entry of livestock into the trailer  100 , and a head gate  112  to hold the livestock for processing and to control the release of the livestock from the trailer  100 . Other gates or control devices may be provided as are know in the art. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the corral assembly  102  is shown with the trailer  100  removed from the figure. The dashed lines denote the rough inner volume of the trailer  100  and indicate the location of the corral assembly  102  within that volume when installed therein. The assembly  102  comprises a frame  200  on which other components of the system are supported. The frame  200  defines a central walkway  202  down which workers may move to handle the livestock in the trailer  100 . Frame  200  is comprised of various horizontal frame members  204  and vertical frame members  206 . Frame members  204  and  206  are preferably formed from metal of various kinds, though other materials such as wood may be used if sufficiently light and strong to provide the necessary support for the other components of the assembly  102 . Frame members  204  and  206  may be joined together by welding, bolting or other means of attachment of sufficient strength as are known to those of skill. 
         [0023]    Panels  208  are supported by frame  200  and define the livestock path through the trailer  100 . In some embodiments of the corral assembly  102 , panels  208  are formed from rigid fencing material often referred to as livestock panels. Each panel  208  has a frame encompassing a field material. Two common configurations of such panels exist. One type of panel  208  is similar to a farm gate and has spaced apart vertical end poles with a plurality of horizontally spaced bars interposing the end poles, comprising the field material. A second common livestock panel  208  has a rigid rectangular frame with a woven wire comprising the field material. Such panels  208  are often referred to as hog panels. Other embodiments of the panels  208  may incorporate sheets of metal, wood or other suitable material for the field of the panel  208 . Panels  208  of either configuration are generally provided with panel mounts  210  on each end thereof to connect the panel  208  to the frame  200 . Panel mounts  210  are described in more detail in reference to a later figure. 
         [0024]    At the first end  104  of the assembly, a gate frame  212  is provided for attaching the ramp  108 , gate  110 , and head gate  112  to the frame  200 . As mentioned above, other configurations of gates and ramps may be provide and attached to frame  200  by gate frame  212 . 
         [0025]    In some embodiments of the corral assembly  102 , an end piece  214  is provided to further define a livestock path through the trailer. The end piece  214  comprises a plurality of panels  216  provided to prevent the livestock from getting turned around in the front corners of the trailer. The panels  216  are formed in the same manner and materials as panels  208 . In the embodiment shown in the figure, the end piece  214  comprises three panels  216  pivotally attached to each other at the edges thereof. The end piece  214  may be formed from separate panels place to prevent livestock access to the corners of the trailer  100 , or from more than 3 panels  216 , as may be required in some embodiments. 
         [0026]    If the removable corral assembly is to have a fixed dimension for use in a trailer having specific dimensions, each panel  208  can be singular and continuous having no joints and no connectors. It is preferable, however, that multiple panels  208  are used to make up the corral assembly  102 . Further, short panels  218  can be provided which can be used to adjust the overall length or width of the assembly  102  or to use as swing gates to block the livestock path. Similarly, a plurality of swing gates may be provided along any of the panels  208  to span between the panel  208  and the side of the trailer. These swing gates allow animals to be segregated within the aisles for any variety of reasons. An end panel  220  is also provided to define the end of the walkway  202 . 
         [0027]    When installed in to the livestock trailer  100 , this assembly  102  creates a substantially u-shaped livestock path  222  around the outside surface of the panels  208 ,  218  and  220  and the inside surface of the trailer  100  and panels  216 . Central walkway  202  is formed between the panels  208  and  218 . 
         [0028]    In other embodiments, stabilizer bars may optionally be positioned near the top of the frame  200  to span between the upper portion of the frame  200  and the roof or ceiling of the livestock trailer  100 . Additional stabilizer bars may be provided which span between the frame  200  and the sides of the livestock trailer  100 . The stabilizer bars, if provided, diminish the likelihood that livestock will move the assembly  102  within the trailer  100  causing damage to the assembly  102 , the trailer  100 , the worker or themselves. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a detailed perspective view of the gate frame  212  is depicted. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the gate frame  212  comprises a base  300 . The base  300  is supported by tube member  302 . A plurality of vertical members  304  define the opening of gate frame  212 , and side walls  306  may be provided on one or more of the vertical members  304  to provide, extra strength and prevent inadvertent entry by livestock into the gap between the gate frame  212  and the opening  106  of trailer  100 . Top member  308  connects the top ends of members  304  to each other. In other embodiments of the corral assembly  102  the exact structure of the gate frame  212  may be varied and still be within the scope of the corral assembly disclosure. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, a catch gate  112  is removably attached to the gate frame  212  by pin hinges  310  mounted on vertical members  304  so that it will be substantially adjacent and aligned with the rear opening  106  of the livestock trailer when the corral assembly  102  is installed. The catch gate  112  will be of conventional manufacture and any number of catch gates are readily available in the marketplace. It is preferred that the catch gate  112  be removably fastened to the gate frame  212  and may be hinged so that it can be selectively opened to allow animals to exit the trailer  100 . This gate frame  212  provides strength and rigidity to the gate  112  and eliminates the need to fasten the gate  112  directly to the livestock trailer  100 . It is should be understood that the orientation and placement of the catch gate  112  can be reversed and attached to the other side of the corral assembly if desired. 
         [0031]    An entire squeeze chute assembly, not shown in the figures, may be incorporated into the corral assembly. Similar to the catch gate  112  previously described, squeeze chutes are well known within in the industry and any number of readily available squeeze chutes can be adapted for use with this invention. It is to be generally understood, however, that such a squeeze chute will only properly work in a trailer which is wide enough to accommodate standard squeeze chutes which are usually at least 30 inches wide. Accordingly, in narrow trailers, the width of the central aisle  202  may have to be decreased to accommodate the squeeze chute on one side of the trailer and leave an aisle which is large enough to accommodate livestock on the opposite side of the trailer. This can be achieved by adjusting the panels  208  as described in reference to a later figure. 
         [0032]    The opposite end of the gate frame  212  may be provided with a ramp  108  that is pivotally attached to the base  300 , and a swing gate  110  pivotally attached to vertical member  304 . Other configurations may be provided for gates and ramps on the two ends of the gate frame  212  as desired. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a detailed cut-away view of a portion of the corral assembly  102  is depicted. For purposes of clarity, some elements of the corral assembly have been removed from this view, either in whole or in part. 
         [0034]    Two rails  400  are provided for supporting and guiding the frame  200  as it is installed into a trailer  100 . The rails comprise a plate  402  on which the frame  200  rests, and a guide  404  attached to the plate  400  which maintains the position of the frame  200  on the rail  400 . The rails  400  are installed into the trailer  100  prior to the installation of the frame  200 . They are secured along the length of the floor of the trailer  100 , preferably by releaseable means such as bolts. The rails are spaced apart such that the bottom horizontal members  204  of frame  200  rest on the base  402  against the outer side of guide  404 . Once installed the bottom horizontal member  204  may be bolted to the rail  400  by bolt  406  to secure the frame  200  in place during use. 
         [0035]    Panels  208 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , comprise panel members  408  which define the size and shape of panel  208 , and field material  410  which is attached to the panel members  408  to prevent livestock from stepping through or inserting their heads through the panels  208 . As discussed above, the field material  410  may be a wire or mesh panel, or may be sheet material of an appropriate type. 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , panel mount  210  comprises a support pole  412 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, each support pole is positioned adjacent to a vertical frame member  206 . The lower end of support pole  412  comprises a pivot mount  414 . A base support  416  is pivotally attached at a first end to pivot mount  414 . Base support  416  is slidably retained in collar  418  which is itself secured to a bottom frame member  204  of frame  200 . A means for securing base support  416  within collar  418 , such as bolt  420  is provided to allow support  416  to be fixed at a certain position. By removing bolt  420 , sliding support member  416  to a desired position, and reinserting bolt  420 , the position of panels  208  may be adjusted as needed. 
         [0037]    The upper end of support pole  412  is provided with a second pivot mount  422  fixedly attached thereto. A pivot mount  424  is also provided on the adjacent vertical frame member  206 . The pivot mount  424  is slidably retained on the vertical frame member  206 , and can be moved up and down and secured along frame member  206  as desired. A member  426  is provided to connect pivot mount  422  to pivot mount  424 . The connections between member  426  and mounts  422  and  424  respectively are pivotal allowing mount  424  to be moved up and down on frame member  206  to vary the distance between the top end of support pole  412  and frame  200 . 
         [0038]    Panels  208  are attached to support poles  412  by hinges  428 . A single panel can be swung away from frame  200  like a gate by removing the pins from the hinges  428  on one end of the panel  208 . Similarly, short panels  218  may be used as a control gate within the livestock path  222  by removing the pins from the hinges  428  on one side of the panel  218  and swinging the panel across the livestock path  222 . In some embodiments, some panels  208  or  218  may have hinges on only one side, and are secured to the support pole  412  on the opposite side by a bolt-style gate latch for ease of opening and closing the panel during use. 
         [0039]    The described means of attaching support pole  412  to the frame  200  allow the pole  412 , and the panels  208  attached to it, to be adjusted in and out from frame  200 , and also to be leaned in and out from the frame  200 . Support pole  412  pivots on mount  414 , so as mount  424  is moved up and down on frame member  206 , the support pole  412  pivot around mount  414 , leaning either away from or toward the frame  200 . Since panels  208  are attached to support poles  412 , this allows the panels  208  to be adjusted in a similar manner. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the corral assembly  102  is depicted. The elements of the structure that support the panels  208  can be seen in this figure, including support pole  412 , pivot mount  414 , support  416 , collar  418 , pivot mounts  422  and  424  and member  426 . The means for slidably retaining mount  424  on member  206  is depicted in this embodiment as screw  500  provided with a head receptive to hand adjustment. Also visible in this figure are bolts  502  for releaseably securing the plates  402  of rails  400  to the floor of trailer  100 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a detailed cut-away view of a portion of the corral assembly  102  is depicted. For purposes of clarity, some elements of the corral assembly have been removed from this view, either in whole or in part.  FIG. 412  depicts the area of the corral assembly  102  adjacent to the end panel  220 . 
         [0042]    The end panel  220  is provided to span the end of frame  200 . Panel  220  is formed in the same manner as panels  208  described above. The panel  220  is mounted to vertical members  206  by hinges on one edge and is secured to the other vertical member  206  by a gate latch  600 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the gate latch  600  is a bolt type gate latch, but other types of latches may be used as desired. 
         [0043]    The vertical members  206  are provided with wheels  602  to support the frame  200  on the rails  400  and to allow the frame  200  to be inserted into and removed from the trailer  100 . The wheels  602  are attached to the vertical member  206  by brackets  604 , and are disposed so that the wheel  602  and the horizontal frame member  204  are disposed on opposite sides of guide  404  on rail  400 . The guide  404  maintains the wheel  602  and frame member  204  in the proper position as the frame  200  is inserted and removed from the trailer  100 . A plurality of wheels  602  or other rollers are mounted at the bottom of the frame  200 , at various locations along the length thereof. These wheels or rollers are large enough that the frame  200  is easily rolled into a livestock trailer  100 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the corral assembly  102  is depicted adjacent to end panel  220 . The bolt  700  rotatably attaches wheel  602  to bracket  604 . The position of member  204  and wheel  602  on opposite sides of guide  404  on both rails  400  keep the frame  200  stable and appropriately supported as the frame  200  is inserted into or removed from trailer  100 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an perspective view of the corral assembly  102  is depicted as it is inserted into or removed from the trailer  100 . As the assembly  102  is removed from the trailer  100 , means for supporting the assembly  102  are provided at various points on the frame  200  and on gate frame  212 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, removable jacks  800  are provided to allow for level support of the frame  200  on varying terrain. As the frame  200  is removed from the trailer, the jacks  800  are installed on the frame  200  at the appropriate points and lowered until contact with the ground provides support for the weight of the frame  200 . Then the trailer is pulled away from the frame  200  until the next mount point for a jack  800  is outside the trailer  100 . The numbers of jacks  800  necessary to support the frame  200  vary depending on the length of frame  200  and the weight of the assembly  102 . Typically jacks  800  are provided on gate frame  212 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a detailed view of one of the jacks  800  is depicted. The jack  800  depicted in the figure is attached to the end of gate frame  212 . Tube  302  which is a part of gate frame  212  extends from the end of the gate frame  212  and acts as a receiver for insert  902  attached to jack  800 . Similarly to a receiver hitch, tube  302  and insert  902  are provided with holes for receiving pin  904  to secure jack  800  in place. Similarly, at other spots on frame  200  where it is desired to have a jack  800 , a tube similar to tube  302  is provided to receive an insert  902  attached to a jack  800 . Once the jack  800  is secured to the assembly  102  by means of the receiver hitch, then the foot  906  of jack  800  is lowered into contact with the ground sufficient to hold the weight of the assembly  800 . 
         [0047]    The innovative device, when installed in a livestock trailer, works extremely well with portable corral systems formed of interlocking livestock panels. Such panels can be set up at the rear or open end of the trailer to form a corral, holding pen, or a driving lane which is used to manipulate livestock toward the trailer. 
         [0048]    Livestock trailers often have a forward side door. The innovative corral assembly works well to segregate animals. A number of animals are driven into the trailer and captured in the aisles. The animals are separated using the swing gates. Once the animals have been segregated, they may be selectively released through side doors as appropriate. This works particularly well when sorting animals by size, age or condition. 
         [0049]    Operation of the present invention is very simple. When the portable corral assembly is needed, the livestock trailer  100  is positioned near the corral assembly  102  with the end panel  220  oriented toward the front of the trailer  100 . The corral assembly  102  is then placed into the livestock trailer. Loading of the corral assembly  102  can be accomplished in any number of loading methods. It is asserted that two workers can easily load the corral assembly in to a livestock trailer. It is also possible to pick up the corral assembly using the front end loading assembly of a tractor and placing it into the livestock trailer. Other loading methods may become apparent. Because the corral assembly does not have to be fastened to the inside of the livestock trailer, it is ready for use. It is understood, however, that it may be desirable to provide and adjust stabilizing bars or otherwise fasten the corral assembly within the trailer to prevent unwanted movement during use. When the corral assembly is no longer needed, it is simply pulled out of the livestock trailer by force. 
         [0050]    While the present invention is described herein with reference to the embodiments illustrated for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. It is therefore intended that the scope of the present invention only be limited by the claims appended hereto.