Patent Publication Number: US-2019191666-A1

Title: Apparatus for orienting and directing cattle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/637,113, filed on Mar. 1, 2018. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This novel technology relates to the field of cattle fencing. More specifically, the present technology relates to a fence-mounted system for orienting and directing individual heads of cattle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a fence-mountable cattle directing and orienting assembly according to a first embodiment of the present novel technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a third perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a fourth perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present novel cattle orientation technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present novel cattle orientation technology. 
         FIG. 7  is a first perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present novel cattle orientation technology. 
         FIG. 8  is a second perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the elongated cattle directing member oriented at an intermediate angle between the horizontal (perpendicular to the major axis)and the vertical (parallel to the major axis). 
         FIG. 9  is a third perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the elongated cattle directing member oriented at a vertical angle (parallel to the major axis). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the present methods, implementations, and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific components, implementation, or to particular compositions, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed in ways including from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another implementation may include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, for example by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another implementation. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. Similarly, “typical” or “typically” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance often though may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     In one embodiment, the cattle directing and orienting apparatus or system  10  consists of at least one bracket assemblies, each assembly including at least one bracket  15 , and more typically a pair of brackets  15  (such as top bracket  15 A and bottom bracket  15 B) defining a bracket assembly  20 , from which an elongated member  25  (typically perpendicularly) extends. Each respective bracket  15  operationally connects to the other, and each respective bracket  15  likewise removably engages, or ‘hooks over’, standard horizontal fencing members, such as elongated horizontal pipe, square tubing, slats, or the like. A first axis  30  is defined by and extends between the brackets  15 . The connection or engagement of bottom bracket  15 B with top bracket is typically adjustable to fit any spacing between horizontal bars. An elongated rod or member extends  25  from at least one of the brackets  15  and/or the bracket assembly  20 , the member  25  typically oriented perpendicularly to the bracket assembly  20  and to the fencing to which the assembly is, or may be, connected. 
     The elongated member  25  is typically made of a structural material, such as steel, aluminum, carbon fiber composite, or the like, although member  25  may be made from any convenient structural material. In some embodiments, elongated member  25  is an elongated rod having a circular cross section, and is permanently affixed to the top bracket  15 A, such as by welding. In other embodiments, elongated member  25  is a length of hollow core square tubing and is pivotably connected to the top bracket  15 A, such that elongated member may be positioned to extend horizontally from bracket assembly  15  (extending perpendicularly from axis  30 ), vertically from bracket assembly  15  (extending along axis  30 ), or held in one or more positions therebetween. 
     The primary or upper bracket  15 A includes a H-shaped fence engaging portion  35 , an elongated fence-engaging stabilization portion  40  extending therefrom and an elongated cattle-engaging member  25  extending therefrom and oriented generally perpendicular to the elongated stabilizing portion  40 . The fence-engaging portion  35  may be an elongated plate, bar, rod, or the like, and the elongated cattle engaging portion  25 , while typically a bar or rod, may likewise be a plate or like elongated member. 
     The typically H-shaped fence engaging portion  35  typically further includes a first or top elongated rectangular plate  45  from which at least one side plate  50 , and more typically two generally parallel spaced side plates  50 ,  55  extend. Side plates  50 ,  55  are typically oriented perpendicular to top plate  45 , and more typically extend from opposite ends of top plate  45 . Side plate  55  may be unitary, or may be a portion of stabilizing member  40 . 
     The elongated fence-engaging stabilization portion  40  is typically a plate or elongated member, and is more typically configured to matingly engage a second or lower bracket  15 B. Elongated fence-engaging stabilization member may extend from side plate  55 , or may simply be extended or elongated side plate  55 . The second bracket  15 B is matingly engagable with bracket  15 A. Brackets  15  typically include one or more slots  6 o formed therethrough and positioned to align when the brackets  15  are matingly engaged with one another. Fasteners  65 , such as nut and bolt assemblies, are engagable through the aligned slots to hold brackets  15  together and in a particular alignment or orientation. 
     Second bracket  15 B typically has the inverse configuration of bracket  15 A, having a H-shaped fence engaging portion  35  and an elongated fence-engaging stabilization portion  40  extending therefrom. Second bracket  15 B typically does not include an elongated member  25  extending therefrom, but could have the same in some desired embodiments. 
     Brackets  15  typically also include one or more (typically threaded) apertures formed through one or both side plates  50 ,  55 , so that a threaded member or locking fastener  65 , such as a bolt or screw, may be inserted therethrough to engage an elongated fence portion to which the bracket  15  has been connected to lockingly secure the bracket  15  to the fence member and retard or prevent sliding of the bracket  15  along the fence member. 
     In operation, the system  10  keeps cattle standing straight and oriented away from the fencing to which the system is or may be mounted, preventing the cattle from being able to travel from side to side. Such restriction of sideways movement protects nearby people, such as a handler, from being in harms way. One or more (typically two) bracket assemblies  20  are operationally connected to one or more horizontal fence members, such as by engaging the fence member(s) with the H-shaped fence engaging portion(s)  35  of the respective bracket(s)  15 , and typically locking the bracket(s)  15  to the fence via insertion of the locking fastener(s)  65  through the aperture(s)  70 . Typically, top and bottom brackets  15 A,  15 B are so engaged to two spaced fence members, and the brackets  15 A,  15 B then engaged to one another (or directly to the fencing) via insertion and tightening of fasteners  65  through aligned slots  6 o. 
     The bracket assembly/assemblies  20  are positioned so that the elongated member  25  extends outwardly from the fence at about cattle shoulder height. Typically, two assemblies  20  are engaged to the fence and spaced slightly more than the width of the animal whose movement is intended to be restricted. The assemblies  20  may be operationally connected to the fence with the animal present, or the animal may be walked to the fence between the assemblies  20  once the assemblies so are connected to the fence. Adjustments to the positioning of a respective assembly  20  may be made by loosening the fastener(s)  65  allowing sliding of a respective bracket  15  from side to side and/or up and down relative to one another. Typically, there are no wrenches or tools required in mounting the system to a gate or fence, as the fasteners  65  may be hand-tightened to sufficiently affix the bracket system  10  to the fencing. The elongated member  25 , such as pipe and/or square tubing, that is typically welded or otherwise affixed to the mounting plate  55  typically extends horizontally from the gate or fence to which the bracket assembly  20  has been mounted. 
     In some embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the top bracket  15 A includes an elongated fence-engaging stabilization plate or member  40  that extends sufficiently to flushly engage a second fence member below that to which the bracket  15 A is mounted or mountable. Engagement of the elongated member  40  with the second fence member is sufficient to prevent pivoting of the fence engaging portion  35  about the fence member to which it is mounted or mountable, thus keeping the elongated member  25  positioned to horizontally extend from the fence. In these embodiments, the second bracket portion  15 B is not required. 
     In some embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , one or more (typically a pair) front plates  8 o are connected to and extend from side plate  55  adjacent to and, typically, flanking elongated member  25 . In these embodiments, elongated member  25  may be fixedly connected to side plate  55 , such as by welding, or may be connected to front plates  8 o, either fixedly, such as by welding, or removably connectably, such as by insertion of one or more pins  85  through apertures  90  formed through front plate(s)  80 . Elongated member  25  may pivot about pin  85 , and be held in position by additional pins  85 , a movable support member  87 , or the like. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , elongated member  25  is a length of hollow core square tubing having a pair of oppositely disposed slots  95  formed trough one end for pivotably connecting to the top bracket  15 A. In this embodiment, top bracket has a cradle  100  sized and shaped to receive slotted square tubing  25 , with at least two pairs of oppositely disposed apertures  105 A,  105 B through which pins  110  may be inserted. Member  25  may pivot about pin  110  when inserted through apertures  105 A and parallel slots  95 , or may be restrained from pivoting by insertion of another pin no when inserted through apertures  105 B and through slots  95 . Pin  110  may also be inserted through apertures and slots  105 B,  95  when member  25  is pivoted between the horizontal and vertical position to engage member  25  and hold it in an intermediate orientation between the horizontal and vertical. Finally, member  25  may be pivoted about pin  110  extending through slots and aperture  95 ,  105 A to a vertical orientation, wherein member  25  may slide into recess  115  to lock member  25  into the vertical orientation. 
     While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.