Patent GB-408647-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in the slaughtering of animals
IPC: A22B5/02
Filed: 1932-10-13
Abstract: 408,647. Holding animals during slaughter. BIEBER, A., 15, Croxteth Grove, Liverpool. Oct. 13, 1932, No. 28521. [Class 81 (ii).] Relates to a casting-pen, for use in the slaughter of cattle, of the kind which is mounted within circular stationary tracks on which it can be revolved to bring a beast into position for killing. According to the invention, the pen is also provided with a trolley or carriage to enable the carcase to be withdrawn from the pen and conveyed to any desired place for examination and dressing. The apparatus, shown in side elevation in Fig. 2 and in rear elevation in Fig. 3, comprises a base or supporting frame 1, a side frame 4, and a revoluble pen or cage 5 composed of U-shaped end-pieces 6 which are secured to a floor 8 and are connected by horizontal rails 9. Cattle are driven into the pen from the rear which is normally closed by a door 10, while the front of the pen carries a sheet metal extension 13 provided with doors 14 having an opening 15 through which the neck of a beast protrudes when the device is in use. The door 14 consists of two sections which are hinged to one another at 16 and to the floor, and are provided with locking bolts 18, 19. The tops of the pen consists of a frame 21 hinged to the end at 22 and normally held in the closed position by bolts 23. A pair of segmental guide rails 24, secured to the ends of the pen, rest on rollers 25, so that the pen can be turned from the upright to the horizontal position, the movement being controlled by a brake operated by a hand lever 40 and a treadle 43. The movement is also controlled by an hydraulic braking device consisting of a piston movable in a cylinder 45, the pen being connected to the piston rod by a cable 49. After a casting operation, the pen is returned to the upright position by a crank handle 53. The manual and hydraulic brakes may be replaced, however, by winding gear mounted on a wall and connected to the pen by one or more cables. The pen is provided on one side with a pair of channel rails 57, fitted at their upper ends with extensions 58, which constitute a runway for the castors 60 of a trolly or carriage 61, Fig. 13, adapted to support a beast on its side. The trolly consists of a padded base provided with handles 62, and it is normally held in the required position in the pen by means of studs 63, 64. The trolly constitutes a side of the pen and also serves as a convenient surface on which a carcase can be supported on its side subsequent to the slaughtering. After the pen has been turned on its side, the trolly with the carcase can be withdrawn from the pen. The rails 57 may also be arranged so that the trolley can be withdrawn from the end of the pen. In order to move a beast against the trolly 61 prior to casting, a padded bar 66, hinged to the opposite side of the pen, is moved inwards by means of racks 67 and pinions operated by a handwheel 69. Also, a pivoted bar 72, hinged at its lower end to the door 10, can be moved inwards by means of racks 73 to move a beast forwards into the required position in the pen. Another padded bar may be provided to support the beast when it is slaughtered by poleaxing or shooting while in an upright position. Another padded bar 80, hinged to the top door 21, is pressed downwards by a spring on to the front to prevent a beast from escaping through the apertured front 15. A head rest 89 is detachably secured to the frame 1 to support the head of a beast when killing by the Kosher method.