Patent GB-343554-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for automatically registering the number of eggs laid by a hen
IPC: A01K31/16
Filed: 1929-11-19
Abstract: 343,554. Registering the laying of eggs. DOULL, G., Bellvue, Castletown, Caithness. Nov. 19, 1929, Nos. 35395/29 and 22034/30. Addition to 325,877, [Class 5 (i), Farmyard &c. appliances]. [Classes 5 (i) and 5 (ii).] A modification of the apparatus described in the parent Specification for automatically registering the number of eggs laid by a hen, comprises a trap nest from which the hen may escape, prior to laying an egg, without operating the registering device. The nest, which swings forward under the weight of the hen, may also be so arranged that should a hen lay an egg below a predetermined weight, it is trapped in the nest until liberated by hand. The eggs may be automatically arranged in the order of being laid and the hens trapped in the order of exit so that the egg laid by any particular hen may be identified. The registering device is so modified that the index mechanism is operated directly by a member operated by the armature. The hen enters the nest, Fig. 2, (22034/30), over the lid 6 which serves for the removal of eggs from the nest, on to the nest platform 11, suspended by arms 12 from pivots 13, which platform moves forward under the weight of the hen to engage a stop 16 pivoted at 17. A bar 18, which passes through the platform 11 and pivots at 19, rotates slightly into engagement with a member 23 of the door 21 whereby the door is closed. The egg when laid rolls off the platform at 15 on to a platform 24 pivoted at 25, causing a pin 29 to engage a lever 27 which rotates the stop 16, the bar 18 being rotated still further and locking the door 21. The hen then jumps down into the exit passage 3, the egg passes into the collecting chamber 10, and the mechanism returns to its initial position. To avoid cracking the egg, the platform 11 is stopped during its forward swing by engagement of a heel 22 and the end 26 of the platform 24. The hen may liberate itself before laying by pressing against the inner side of the member 40 which moves a spur 42 against a pin 43 drawing back the bar 18 and unlocking the nest. In a modification the member 40 may be omitted and the space between the heel 22 and stop 26 so adjusted that the bar 18 moves sufficiently to prevent the entry of a second hen, but so that the hen inside the nest may leave by pushing on the door 21. A weight 32 attached by links to the platform 24 comes into operation when the platform has swung forward a little and locked the door 21. If the egg is of insufficient weight to lift the weight 32, the hen is locked in the nest. The apparatus may be converted into a simple trap nest by inserting a loose pin in the edge of the door 21 or in the member 40. In a modification, Fig. 4 (22034/30), of the operating mechanism, the egg falls into a cup 68 on a member 64 pivoted at 65, causing an extension 67 to bear against a stop 66. An extension 73 engages the heel 72 of the right-hand arm 12 when the egg lifts up the end 63 of a platform 59 pivoted at 62 immediately the end 61 releases the catch 16. A heel 72 swings over and releases the extension 73 when the platform further rotates and delivers the egg to the collecting chamber. On the hen leaving the nest the heel 72 strikes the extension 73, moving the mechanism into its initial position. A member 60 pivoted at 70 engages the platform 63 after partial rotation by the weight of the egg and is retained in this position, thus locking the nest, if the egg is below a predetermined weight. A pair of inclined bars may be arranged to form a groove into which the eggs may be rolled by the cup 68. An apparatus for trapping hens on leaving the exit passage comprises a cylindrical casing with an opening opposite the exit passage 3 and a platform with radial partitions which is caused, by the entry of a hen, to rotate sufficiently to bring a second compartment opposite the passage. Several nests may have a common exit passage 3 surrounded by a magnet and obstructed by wires opening outwards. An electromagnet energized automatically as the hen leaves the nest may be used. The registering instrument, Figs. 6 (35395/29) and 7 (35395/29), comprises two iron cores 31 and an armature 32 connected to a member 39 engaging a cross member 38 to which is attached a member 37 co-operating with the teeth of a registering wheel 42. A spring 40 holds the cross member 38 in position. The registering instrument is enclosed in a numbered capsule. The first Provisional Specification describes a modified form of trap nest, Fig. 1 (35395/29), in which boxes 4, 5 pivot on the board 7.. On entering, the hen depresses the lever 14 closing the gate behind her, which she may reopen by pushing. The egg when laid releases the pin 20 permitting the box to take up the position shown at 4, the hen escaping by means of the exit passage. The hen is prevented from leaving, if the egg laid is too light, by means of the weight 27 attached to the platform 17.