Abstract:
A livestock loading chute is suitable for attachment to the rear frame of any dock loading livestock trailer to permit either dock loading or ground loading of livestock. The livestock loading chute includes an upper chute section, attached to the rear frame of the trailer, and a lower chute section, which is supported by the upper chute section. The upper chute section, which is aligned with the trailer&#39;s roll-up door, contains an upper chute section ramp adjustable between a horizontal position for dock loading and an inclined position for use in conjunction with the lower chute section for ground loading.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to the field of livestock loading equipment, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a retrofittable loading chute which converts a dock loading livestock trailer to a livestock trailer capable of loading livestock from the ground while retaining the capability of loading livestock from a dock. 
   2. Discussion 
   Double-deck livestock trailers, commonly referred to as “pot load trailers” or “cattle pots,” have an internal ramp located at the rear of the trailer so livestock (most frequently cattle) can be moved from the lower floor to the upper floor. The pot load trailers are normally towed by a tractor using a kingpin connection. Most pot load trailers are dock loading trailers, i.e., they are designed for loading livestock by means of an entry ramp from a dock or an elevated chute. A typical entry height for a dock loading trailer is 40 inches. As used herein, the term “entry height” refers to the height of the entry ramp above the surface on which the trailer rests. 
   Many single-deck livestock trailers, also normally towed by a tractor using a kingpin connection, are suitable for dock loading only. The livestock are loaded into the single-deck livestock trailer from an elevated dock which may or may not match the entry height of the single-deck livestock trailer. Many single-deck livestock trailers accommodate ground loading by incorporating a drop-down box on the rear of the trailer. The addition of a drop-down box achieves an entry height of 14–16 inches. Because the box tends to drag over curbs and other ground-based obstacles, the box cannot be longer than about eight feet. For the overall length to remain under the 53-foot legal limit, the trailer must have a maximum length of 45 feet. In the alternative, a shorter box with a steeper internal ramp can be added to the trailer, but the shorter box results in a steeper internal ramp which creates livestock loading problems. 
   Another option for ground loading applications involves stock trailers designed to be towed by pickup trucks. The livestock (most frequently cattle) are loaded by means of an entry ramp directly from the ground into the trailer. A typical entry height for a ground loading stock trailer is 14 inches. Ground loading stock trailers cannot be used to load from a dock or portable loading chute. 
   Stockyards normally have “truck days” when primarily big trucks unload cattle at a dock. A livestock trailer limited to dock loading cannot unload to ground, so cattle haulers must frequently wait in line until a dock is available. 
   Similarly, stockyards normally have limited facilities for unloading livestock from ground loading stock trailers. A stock trailer which requires a ground loading facility cannot unload at a dock, and cattle haulers must wait in line until a ground loading facility is available. 
   Single-mode livestock trailers face a similar problem when picking up livestock from farms and ranches. A dock loading livestock trailer requires an elevated, or “dockload” chute, and a ground loading livestock trailer can load livestock only from the ground. 
   Most states limit the length of a trailer for use on non-interstate highways. Older pot load trailers of 46, 48, and 50 feet, and made of heavy gauge steel, are widely available for purchase at a fraction of the cost of a pickup truck to tow a ground loading livestock trailer. While the pot load trailers are capable of hauling a large number of cattle, pot load trailers are normally limited to loading livestock by a single mode, either ground load or dock load. 
   The applicant&#39;s livestock loading chute solves the problems of single-mode loading by providing a livestock loading chute which converts a dock loading livestock to a ground loading livestock trailer while retaining the trailer&#39;s ability to load livestock from a dock. When applicant&#39;s livestock loading chute is attached to a dock loading trailer, an unaided individual can switch from a dock loading configuration to a ground loading configuration—or from a ground loading configuration to a dock loading configuration—in about 30 seconds. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The livestock loading chute of present invention is suitable for attachment to the rear frame of any dock loading livestock trailer to permit either dock loading or ground loading of livestock. The livestock loading chute includes an upper chute section, attached to the rear frame of the trailer, and a lower chute section, which is supported by the upper chute section. The upper chute section, which is attached to the rear frame of the trailer in alignment with the trailer&#39;s roll-up door, contains an upper chute section ramp adjustable between a horizontal position (for dock loading) and an inclined position (for ground loading). The lower chute section is hinged to the upper chute section so the lower chute section swings around a rear corner of the upper chute section between a storage position, wherein the lower chute section is secured to the rear of the trailer alongside the upper chute section, and a ground loading position, wherein the lower chute section is aligned with the upper chute section. The lower chute section contains a lower chute section loading ramp which mates with the upper chute section ramp, when the upper chute section ramp is adjusted to the inclined position, to form a generally continuous ramp having an entry height of about 12 inches. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a sturdy livestock loading chute which enables a livestock trailer to load and unload livestock either from a dock or from the ground. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock loading chute for either ground loading or dock loading wherein the livestock loading chute can be manufactured as an integral part of a livestock trailer. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock loading chute which permits an unaided individual to adjust the livestock loading chute between a ground loading position and a storage position for transport in about 30 seconds. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock loading chute which enables a livestock trailer to load and unload livestock either from a dock or from the ground wherein the livestock loading chute is suitable for either steel or aluminum livestock trailers. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock loading chute which enables a livestock trailer to load and unload livestock either from a dock or from the ground wherein the livestock loading chute can be retrofitted to an existing livestock trailer. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock loading chute which enables a livestock trailer to load and unload livestock either from a dock or from the ground wherein the livestock loading chute adds no more than 3 additional feet to the length of the livestock trailer. 
   Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the livestock loading chute is deployed in a ground loading position. 
       FIG. 2  is another view of the livestock loading chute shown of the present invention wherein the livestock loading chute is deployed in the ground loading position. 
       FIG. 3  is still another view of the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the livestock loading chute is deployed in the ground loading position. 
       FIG. 4  shows the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the lower chute section is in an intermediate position between the ground loading position shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and a transport position shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is a the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the lower chute section is in an intermediate position between the ground loading position shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and a transport position shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  10 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the lower chute section is in a transport position. 
       FIG. 7  is another view of the livestock loading chute of the present invention wherein the lower chute section is in a transport position. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged view, partially cut away, of the upper chute section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is another enlarged view, partially cut away, of the upper chute section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view, partially cut away, of the lower chute section of the livestock loading chute of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is side view of the upper chute section of the present invention, partially cut away to show the upper chute section adjustable ramp. 
       FIGS. 12–14  show apparatus for attaching applicant&#39;s livestock loading chute to the rear frame of a livestock trailer. 
       FIGS. 15–17  show another apparatus for attaching applicant&#39;s livestock loading chute invention to the rear frame of a livestock trailer. 
       FIGS. 18–20  show still other apparatus for attaching applicant&#39;s livestock loading chute invention to the rear frame of a livestock trailer. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following description of the of the present invention, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings. 
   Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 1–3 , a livestock loading chute  50  is shown in a ground loading position. An upper chute section  54  is welded to the rear trailer frame F of a potload livestock trailer T. A lower chute section  52  is aligned with the upper chute section  52  and secured to the upper chute section  52  by a boomer  56 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that a boomer is a device commonly utilized to secure cargo during shipment. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , vertical frame members  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  cooperate with horizontal frame members  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  (horizontal frame member  80  is not shown) to form an upper chute section frame  82 . The upper chute section frame  82  is reinforced by diagonal braces  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  and by horizontal braces  92 ,  94 . Diagonal rods  96  extend between vertical frame members  58 ,  62  and between vertical frame members  60 ,  64  to prevent livestock from leaving the upper chute section  52  during the loading process. Upper chute section sides  98  on each side of the upper chute section  52  extend from the horizontal braces  92 ,  94  upwardly to the diagonal braces  84 ,  88 , respectively. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , vertical frame members  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106  cooperate with horizontal frame members  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  and also with diagonal frame member  120 ,  122  to form a lower chute section frame  124 . The lower chute section frame  124  is reinforced by diagonal braces  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 . Lower chute section sides  134  extend between vertical frame members  100 ,  102  and between vertical frame members  104 ,  106  to prevent livestock from leaving the lower chute section  54  during the loading process. Lower chute section sides  134  on each side of the lower chute section  54  extend from the diagonal frame members  120 ,  122  upwardly to the diagonal braces  126 ,  130 , respectively. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , a lower chute section ramp  136  is formed by diamond plate  138  (sometimes also known as tread plate) attached to lower chute ramp horizontal frame members  116 , 118  (See  FIG. 4 ). Transverse rods  140  welded to the diamond plate  138  serve as traction cleats for livestock. A rubber bumper  142  is attached to the lower chute horizontal frame member  116  by fasteners (not shown) deployed in throughways  144 . The rubber bumper  142  protects the livestock from injury. The rubber bumper  142  also provides a cushion between the lower chute section  54  and the back B of the livestock trailer T when the lower chute section  54  is deployed in the transport position (See  FIGS. 7 and 10 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a ramp adjustment lever  146  is stored in a ramp adjustment lever holder  148  for use in conjunction with a ramp jack  150  (See  FIG. 2 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  is formed by diamond plate  154  and transverse rods  156 . The transverse rods  156 , which are welded to the diamond plate  154 , provide increased traction for livestock. A rubber bumper  158  is attached to an upper chute section ramp support (not shown) by fasteners (not shown) deployed in throughways  160 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower chute section ramp  136  and the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  cooperate to form a continuous ramp to support livestock as the livestock move from the ground, upwardly across the lower chute section ramp  136 , upwardly across the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152 , and into the livestock trailer T. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , D-rings  162  provide attachment points for securing the lower chute section  54  to corral gates or dock gates during the loading/unloading process. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the lower chute section  54  is attached to and supported by the upper chute section  52  by an upper hinge assembly  164  and a lower hinge assembly  166 . In the presently preferred embodiment, each hinge assembly consists of two 5-inch by 18-inch plates and three 6-inch pipe sections. One plate of the upper hinge assembly  164  is attached to the lower chute section vertical frame member  106 . The other plate of the upper hinge assembly  164  is attached to the upper chute section vertical frame member  64  so the 6-inch pipe sections are in vertical alignment. The lower hinge assembly  166  is similarly attached to the lower chute section vertical frame member  106  and the upper chute section vertical frame member  64 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 3 , shown therein are electrical wires  168 ,  170 . The electrical wires  168 ,  170  provide power to brake lights and tail lights which are required in all states of the United States and in most foreign countries (See  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 ). 
   In  FIG. 3 , the trailer T is supported by its wheels on a surface S. The rubber bumper  142  attached to the lower chute section ramp  136  is a distance A above the plane of the surface S. The distance A, representing the distance livestock must step up when entering the lower chute section ramp  136 , is the entry height. In the presently preferred embodiment, the entry height A is about twelve inches. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 3 , a plate  172  is attached to the lower end  174  of the upper chute section vertical frame member  60 . The plate  172  mates with and supports the lower end  176  of the lower chute section vertical frame member  104  when the lower chute section  54  is deployed in the transport position (See  FIGS. 6–7 ). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4–5 , the livestock loading chute of the present invention is shown in an intermediate position between the ground loading position shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and the transport position shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  10 . The upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  is shown in the same position as in  FIGS. 1–3 , i.e., in a position for ground loading of livestock. Lights  200  provide brake lights and tail lights when the trailer T is traveling with the lower chute section  54  in the transport position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the lower chute section  54  swings on hinge assemblies  164 ,  166  along B. A chain  202  attached to the rear portion  204  of the trailer T is used to secure the lower chute section  54  in the transport position. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6–10 , the livestock loading chute  50  of the present invention is shown in the transport position, i.e., in a position wherein the lower chute section  54  is secured to the trailer for travel on highways. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the boomer  56  is used to secure the lower chute section  54  to the rear of the truck T when the lower chute section  54  is in the transport position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an enlarged view of the upper chute section  52 , partially cut away, shows the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  in a horizontal dock loading position for loading livestock from a dock. The ramp adjustment lever  146  is engaging the ramp jack  150 . Two chains  206  attached to the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  terminate in hooks  208 . The hooks  208  are received by slots  210  in the sides  98  of the upper chute section  52  to support the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  in the horizontal position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an enlarged view of a portion of the upper chute section frame  82  shows the ramp adjustment lever  146  in the ramp adjustment lever holder  148 . An upper chute section ramp pivot rod  212  provides a pivot for the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  (See  FIG. 11 ). A chain  214  us used in conjunction with the boomer  56  to secure the lower chute section  54  to the upper chute section  52 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an enlarged view of the lower chute section  54 , partially cut away, shows the boomer  56  attached to the chain  202  to secure the lower chute section  54  to the rear of the trailer T in the transport position. The chain  202  is attached to a threaded eye-bolt  203  having an eye portion  205  and a threaded portion  207 . The eye portion  205  of the threaded eye-bolt  203  is secured to the frame F of the livestock trailer T. An appropriate link in the chain  202  is placed over the threaded portion  207  of the eye-bolt  203  and held in place by a nut  209 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the upper chute section adjustable ramp  152  pivots on the upper chute section adjustable ramp pivot rod  212 . The rubber bumper  142  moves along C as the upper chute section adjustable ramp moves between a ground loading position, indicated in solid lines, and a dock loading position, indicated in phantom lines. 
   It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the livestock loading chute  50  of the present invention can be attached to the rear frame of a livestock trailer in a variety of ways. For the purposes of  FIGS. 1–11 , the livestock loading chute  50  is welded to the rear frame of the livestock trailer T. It will be further understood by one skilled in the art that the livestock loading chute  50  of the present invention can be constructed from steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or any convenient material compatible with the rear frame of the livestock trailer T. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12–14 , four female receivers  216  welded to the rear frame F of the livestock trailer T receive mating male inserts  218  attached to the vertical frame members  58 ,  60  of the upper chute section frame  82 . Latching pins  220  (See  FIG. 14 ) extend through mating bores  222 ,  224  in the female receivers  216  and the mating male inserts  218 , respectively to secure the livestock loading chute  50  to the rear frame F of the livestock trailer T. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15–17 , four hinge assemblies are used to attach the livestock loading chute  50  to the rear frame F of the livestock trailer T. Each hinge assembly includes a female receiver hinge plate  226 , a male hinge plate  228 , and a hinge pin  230 . An L-shaped member  232  is welded to the center member of the rear frame F of the trailer T, and the two female receiver hinge plates  226  located near the center of the rear of the livestock trailer T are attached to the L-shaped member. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 18–20 , the vertical frame members  58 ,  60  include four bores  234  (two bores  234  in each vertical frame member). Four sleeves  236  are welded to the rear frame F of the livestock trailer T in alignment with the four bores  234 . A threaded bolt  238  is inserted simultaneously through each of the bores  234  and each of the sleeves  236 . A washer  240  is placed on the threaded end of the threaded bolt  238  adjacent the sleeve  236 . A nut  242  is tightened on the threaded bolt  238  to secure the livestock loading chute to the rear frame F of the livestock trailer T. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.