Patent GB-221596-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for securing or restraining animals during dehorning operations
IPC: A61D3/00
Filed: 1923-06-30
Abstract: 221,596. Abraham, P. J. June 30, 1923. Animals, stocks and like appliances for holding.-Apparatus for holding or restraining animals during dehorning operations comprises a cage with means as described below for securing the animal in convenient position and for releasing it after the operation. The means for securing the animal comprise a movable post adapted to close on the animal's neck, a cross-bar adapted to press down on its head, a bar for securing it at the rear, a movable gate closing in on its body, and nose and jaw-bridging bars with securing brackets therefor. In the apparatus shown in the open position in front and side views in Figs. 1 and 3 respectively, the cage 1 is provided with a post 3 for securing the animal's neck, the post being fitted in one of a series of holes 10 in the base of the apparatus and being held in the open position by engagement at its other end with the offset portion 19 of a lever 17. The lever 17 is linked, as shown in Fig. 3, to a lever 20 pivoted at 22 and having an operating handle 23. On depression of the handle 23 the post 3 is free to move to its closed position under the action of the end 26 of a lever 24 which, as shown in plan in Fig. 4, is pivoted at 25 and is actuated by a spring 29. The action of the lever 24 is assisted by a spring 67 and cable 27. The post 3 is locked in its closed position by engagement of a stop 13 with teeth on the lever 14, and to enable the post to be unlocked the cable 27 is continued over guide pulleys 71 - - 73 of which the middle one is linked to the lever 14; the cable 27 terminates in a handle 75. The cross-bar 4 for depressing the animal's head is held in the open position by springs 100 and is operated by means of cables 87 passing over drums 86 on the shaft 85. A sprocket wheel 88 on the shaft 85 is driven by a chain 92 through a free sprocket wheel 91 on the shaft 89 having an operating handle 95. The sprocket wheel 91 is engaged by a slidable clutch 93 actuated by a shift lever 96 which is pivoted at 97 and has at its other end a cable 98 attached to the lever 24. The arrangement is such that the clutch 93 is free to move into engagement with the wheel 91 under the action of the spring 94 only when the lever 24 has been allowed to move the post 3 into its closed position. A ratchet wheel and pawl (not shown) are preferably provided in connection with the shaft 85 or wheel 91 to hold the bar 4 when it has been pulled down to its closed position. The animal is secured at the rear by a bar 31 engaging in grooves 32 in the sides of the apparatus. In the open position of the apparatus the bar is retained in suitable grooves in the side-brackets 40 by a catch 36 pivoted at 37 and controlled by a spring 38. The catch 36 is connected by a cable 41 to a bell-crank 34 by the operation of which the catch 36 may be released and the bar 31 caused to fall on to spring-controlled deflectors 42 by which it is shot into the appropriate pair of grooves. The gate 9 for securing the animal's body is pivoted to the base of the apparatus and is held in the open position by a spring 50. It is provided with a link 53 connected through one of the holes 56 with an operating lever 57 pivoted at 58 and having a handle 65. The gate is closed by raising the handle 65, and is retained in closed position by an arm 59 having teeth 61 which engage a stop 62, as shown in Fig. 4. To enable the gate to be unlocked, the lever 24 is provided with a cam-shaped end 28 which raises the arm 59 when the post 3 is moved from its closed to its open position, and moves free of the arm in the reverse case. Brackets 7, 8 are provided through which nose- and jaw-bridging bars may be passed. The apparatus may be provided with wheels 77 pivotally attached to axles 78 which are cranked so that the wheels can be put out of action if desired. In operation, the animal is driven into the cage and at the appropriate moment the handle 23 is depressed to release the post 3 and enable it to assume its closed position under the action of the lever 24 and cable 27, the lever 14 then falling by gravity and locking the post. The depression of the handle 23 operates the bell-crank 34 and releases the bar 31. The movement of the lever 24 carries its end 28 clear of the arm 59 on the gate 9 and enables the gate to lock when it has been moved into its closed position by raising the handle 65. At the same time the lever 24, in moving the post 3, slackens the cable 98 and so enables the clutch 93 to engage the wheel 91. The handle 95 is then turned to lower the bar 4 and depress the animal's head until the nose- and jaw-bridging bars can be inserted. To release the animal after the operation, the bar 31 is removed and the handle 75 pulled. This releases the lever 14 and draws back the post 3 to its original open position, while the lever 24, moving with the post 3, tightens the cable 98 and releases the clutch 93. The bar 4 is thus released and returns to its open position under the action of the springs 100. At the same time the cam 28 on the lever 24 lifts the arm 59 and allows the gate 9 to return to its original position under the pull exerted by the spring 50. The nose- and jaw-bridging bars are then removed, and the animal is free to walk out.