Abstract:
A mobile support apparatus for an animal comprising an adjustable frame for securing the animal in position, a tailgate assembly for preventing egress of a secured animal from the adjustable frame and protects an individual positioned at the posterior of the secured animal, an adjustable head support, a hydraulic system for adjusting the frame and at least one pair of wheels. The support apparatus may further comprise a power supply for powering the hydraulic system and a storage compartment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/998,155, filed Oct. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a device used in veterinary procedures and more specifically a mobile support device for a horse that allows a veterinarian to perform a number of procedures on the animal, while the animal is safely and effectively supported. The device is automated and fully adjustable to accommodate animals of different sizes. Furthermore, it allows for safe and humane handling of sedated animals. 
         [0003]    Veterinarians who treat large animals, particularly horses, are called upon to perform a myriad of procedures related to the health and maintenance of the animal. These include treatment of the horse&#39;s feet, shoeing, care of the teeth and reproductive procedures, such as artificial insemination. There has long been a need for a device that can safely and effectively secure the horse in an appropriate position to receive the required treatment or procedure that also allows optimum access by the veterinarian while affording him a safe work environment. Such as device should be mobile so that it can be transported to the site of the animal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A mobile support apparatus for a horse or other animal that allows a veterinarian to perform a number of different procedures on the animal, while the animal is safely and effectively secured while affording the veterinarian safe and effective access to the animal. The device safely and humanely restrains and supports the animal, is automated, and fully adjustable to accommodate animals of different sizes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is side elevational view of the apparatus in use; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the apparatus; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a review plan view of the apparatus; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a front plan view; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the head rest assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of the chest gate; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 8B  is a front perspective of the chest gate with the handle and lock assembly exposed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The apparatus of the present is indicated generally in the figures as reference number  20 . Apparatus  20  includes a frame  22  with major components including a first or front vertical strut  23 , a first main vertical strut  24  and a second main vertical strut  25 , a hitch arm  26  and trailer hitch  27  at the front end and a pair of wheels  28  at the rear end to provide for mobility. The apparatus can be attached to a tow vehicle and moved to the site of use. 
         [0014]    Frame  22  includes horizontal top struts  29 A and  29 B with a flat roof  30  to provide shelter. The vertical main struts  24  and  25  can include hydraulically actuated legs  31  that extend out of the struts for stabilization. The legs can be extended by a hydraulic system that includes cylinders  32 . Each leg  31  is independently adjustable so the apparatus can be stabilized on uneven surfaces. There is a pair of opposed horizontal frame members  33 , which can be referred to as rails or guides,that are comprised of slidingly engaged members  33 A that allow a tail gate assembly, which will be discussed in greater detail below, to be moved forward and backward. The tail gate assembly can be moved forward and backward hydraulically by hydraulic cylinders  34 , as seen by comparing the position of the tail gate in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The side rails and tailgate assembly define an open securing chute  35  for an animal H. The hydraulic cylinders  34  extension feature allows the apparatus to safely secure an animal of any size in chute  35 . 
         [0015]    An adjustable tail gate assembly  36  depends from the ends of slideable members  33 A and is attached by a hinge  37  at one side so that the tail gate can be opened by swinging to a side and closed to allow ingress and egress for the animal. This design allows for safe positioning of the veterinarian, who stays to the side of chute  35  to unlatch, open and close the tail gate assembly since the tail gate assembly rotates with at least a 90° of rotation. Hence the veterinarian does not have to stand behind the animal when opening and closing the tail gate assembly. 
         [0016]    The tail gate assembly  36  includes a substantially flat panel  38  with a drop down flap or panel  40  connected by hinge  41 . The flap can be raised or lowered, however, in the lowered position ( FIG. 10 ) it provides a barrier to prevent a veterinarian positioned at the rear of the animal from being kicked. The tailgate assembly also includes a handle and locking assembly  42  to secure the tailgate in a closed position. 
         [0017]    Frame  22  includes an adjustable front chest gate  43 , shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Gate  43  is attached to rod  44  that his hinged to the frame in brackets  45  so that gate  43  can be opened. It will be noted that rod  44  can slide vertically in brackets  45 . Gate  43  has a latch or securing handle  46  on both sides. The hinged gate  43  can be swung open to allow the veterinarian or handler to walk in front of the horse and load the animal into the apparatus. Once the animal is in the apparatus, the handle can exit from the front and gate  43  can be closed and secured with the latch. With the tail gate assembly  34  and chest gate  43  closed, the animal is secured in place. Gate  43  includes a central cut-out  47  that allows for the positioning of the animals neck without placing undue pressure on the neck and keep the gate from pressing on the animal&#39;s sensitive trachea. The relative height of gate  43  can be adjusted to accommodate animals of different sizes. The positioning of the height of the gate can be controlled by hydraulic cylinder  48 , which is operably attached to rod  44 . 
         [0018]    The apparatus includes a head rest assembly  49 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 , including a substantially V-shaped yoke  50  that can be raised or lowered to accommodate animals of different heights and to allow a veterinarian to sit or stand while working on the animal&#39;s head or teeth. Yoke  50  can be connected to an adjustable, vertically moveable upright  52  by slide bars  54  which are engaged a slide bracket  56 . Slide bars  54  are horizontally and slidingly engaged in bracket  56  to allow for forward and rearward positioning of the yoke by sliding bars  54  back and forth in bracket  56 . Yoke  50  is attached to slide bars  54  by a hinge  58  to allow the yoke to swing out of the way and the animal to be positioned. The yoke is moved back into place and tightened in place by a spring pin  60 . The entire yoke assembly can be moved up and down by a hydraulic cylinder  62  attached to moveable upright  52  to position the yoke at the proper height. 
         [0019]    There is an adjustable head rest  64  on the point of the yoke. Head rest  64  has a resting surface  66  and a pair of opposed wings  68  and  70  to provide lateral stability. Resting surface  66  and wings  68 ,  70  generally are padded for safety and comfort. Head rest  64  can be raised and lowered by screw jack assembly  74 . Rotation of jack screw  74  allows fine tuning of the elevation of the head rest to accommodate different size animals for dental procedures for example. 
         [0020]    The apparatus includes a storage compartment  76  secured at the front of the frame on vertical strut  23 , conveniently positioned for access by the veterinarian. Storage compartment  76  is multifunctional and includes, without limitation, internal storage space for the storage of equipment, medicines and the like closed by a pair of hinged doors  78 . Also, a hydraulic system, generally comprising a pump, reservoir and hydraulic lines connected to the respective hydraulic cylinders, may have operable components, such as the pump, and reservoir, indicated generally by number  80 , housed in compartment  76  for actuating all of the hydraulically actuated adjustable components. The pump can be an electric pump powered by a rechargeable battery or can be plugged in to an electric outlet if one is available. The electrical system can include an a power inverter to supply 110 volts so the veterinarian can operate other auxiliary equipment such as a dental light or drills and ultrasound equipment. 
         [0021]    It will be appreciated that the apparatus can be constructed in different configurations that incorporate the novel features to provide a mobile device for the safe and effective securing of an animal during veterinary procedures. The illustrated embodiment is one configuration representing the best mode of working the invention presently known to the inventor.