Patent Abstract:
A vehicle and method for transporting poultry. The vehicle comprises a coop trailer having a trailer section which can carry a number of tiers of poultry cages on its bed and having a vertically oriented tarpaulin system mounted thereon. The tarpaulin system includes tarpaulins which are suspended from a cable that extends between the front and rear ends of the trailer section. The tarpaulins can rapidly and easily be drawn back and forth along the sides of the trailer section to cover and uncover the cages. When the tarpaulins are fully extended along the sides of the trailer section, the tarpaulins effectively aid in preventing the birds from being buffeted about by excessive wind as the coop trailer travels along the roads. The tarpaulins also aid in maintaining a more constant temperature within the trailer section. The tarpaulins can be quickly and easily withdrawn and rotated to lay adjacent one of the front and rear ends of the trailer section and can be secured in that position so as to allow for the loading or removal of the cages from the trailer section.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This invention is a standard utility application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/662,204, filed Mar. 16, 2005, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     This invention generally relates to trucks and methods of transportation. More particularly, the invention relates to a truck for transporting livestock. Specifically, the invention relates to a coop trailer and to a method for transporting poultry which tends to reduce the number of deaths of the birds during transport.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     One of the most common ways for transporting poultry around the country from farm to farm or from farm to processing plant is through the use of large, specially designed transport trucks called coop trailers. These coop trailers typically have several tiers of cages within them into which the poultry is loaded. In the winter months, the birds tend to huddle together to keep warm and in the summer they fight for shade. This causes the weaker birds to suffocate. Furthermore, the rapid flow of air through the coop trailer as it travels along the highways can lead to the birds losing a lot of feathers. This decreases their ability to stay warm in winter and cool in summer and consequently leads to a greater loss of life. These losses increase the costs of transporting and processing poultry.  
         [0006]     There is therefore a need in the art for providing a coop trailer and method for transporting poultry which tends to aid in reducing the number of deaths of the birds during transportation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention comprises a coop trailer which includes a number of tiers of poultry cages and has a vertically oriented tarpaulin system disposed on either side of the trailer section thereof. In this system, a tarpaulin is suspended from each of a pair of spaced-apart cables that extend from the front to the rear of the trailer section and along the sides thereof. While the poultry is being transported, the tarpaulins are drawn along the sides of the trailer section to substantially prevent wind flow therethrough. The system is also provided with a pair of rotatable spars onto which the tarpaulins may be retracted. The spars are rotated so that the tarpaulins are moved from laying adjacent the sides of the trailer section to adjacent one of the front and rear ends of the trailer section. When the cages are to be loaded onto or removed from the trailer section, the tarpaulins are retracted from along the sides of the trailer section and are rotated to lay adjacent the one of the front and rear ends thereof. A securing mechanism is provided to keep the tarpaulins in contact with the one of the front and rear ends of the trailer section when the tarpaulins are in this position. The securing mechanism may include rotatable gates, straps and a portion of each the cables. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a coop trailer with a vertical tarpaulin system drawn over the sides thereof to block free flow of air therethrough;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the coop trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the coop trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side view of the uppermost circle shown in  FIG. 1  showing the upper pulley of the tarpaulin system in greater detail;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of the lowermost circle in  FIG. 1  showing the lower winch of the tarpaulin system in greater detail;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the lower winch;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the trailer section showing the support spars and tarpaulin secured in abutting contact with the rear end of the trailer section;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer section showing the support spars in abutting contact with the rear end of the trailer section;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer section showing the support spars being rotated into position for use;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a partial top view of the rear end of the trailer section showing the tarpaulin being held on the support spars;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing tarpaulin on the support spars as in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing the first and second sections of the cable being readied for attachment to each other;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is side elevational view of the trailer section showing the cable sections joined together;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing the cable drawn taut for carrying the tarpaulin;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing the tarpaulin drawn toward the front end of the trailer section and with a first panel secured in place;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing the tarpaulin drawn closer to the front end of the trailer section and with a second panel secured in place;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the trailer section showing the tarpaulin drawn even closer to the front end of the trailer section and with a third panel secured in place; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the trailer section with the tarpaulin drawn across the entire length of the side of the trailer section. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1-3 , there is shown a poultry coop trailer in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at  10 . Trailer  10  typically includes a tractor sectionl 2  and a trailer section  14 . Trailer section  14  is designed to carry a plurality of tiered cages  16  in which poultry (not shown) may be transported. Coop trailer  10  further includes a tarpaulin system, generally indicated at  18  which is used to selectively cover the sides  20  of trailer section  14  as needed.  
         [0028]     Tarpaulin system  18  comprises a pair of tarpaulins  22  each mounted via a plurality of rings  24  onto one of a pair of cables  26 . The following description references only one cable  26  and its associated tarpaulin  22 , but it will be understood that it applies to both of the cables  26  and sheets  22 .  
         [0029]     Each cable  26  is used to support one of the tarpaulins  22  so that the sheet  22  may be selectively drawn across trailer section  14  or retracted therefrom. Cable  26  is comprised of a first section  26   a  and a second section  26   b  that may be detachably joined together. First section  26   a  of each cable  26  has a first end  28  and a second end (not shown) with a length of cable disposed thereinbetween. Similarly, second section  26   b  has a first end  34  and a second end  36  with a length of cable thereinbetween. The second end of first section  26   a  is secured to a lower winch  32 , a portion of cable  26  is wound around winch  32 , extends upwardly, wraps around an upper pulley  30  and terminates in the first end  28  thereof. Second end  36  of second section  26   b  is secured to a support spar  38  mounted on a rear end  52  ( FIG. 2 ) of trailer section  14 , and a portion of cable  26  extends outwardly away therefrom and terminates in first end  34 . First ends  28  and  34  are selectively securable to each other as will be hereinafter described so that cable  26  extends effectively between lower winch  32  and support spar  38 .  
         [0030]     Each tarpaulin  22  is made up of a plurality of panels  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  which are connected together at stiffening ribs  48 . Rings  24  are secured to the upper edges of each of panels  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  and are also connected to the upper ends of each rib  48 . Cable  26  is threaded through rings  24  on tarpaulin  22  so that the sheet is suspended therefrom and may be drawn along cable  26  in a manner similar to a drape on a curtain rod. A first end of panel  42  is connected to a first rib  48   a  and a second end is connected to a second rib  48   b . A first end of panel  44  is connected to second rib  48   b  and a second end thereof is connected to third rib  48   c . A first end of panel  46  is connected to third rib  48   c  and a second end thereof is connected to fourth rib  48   d . Finally, a first end of panel  46  is connected to fourth rib  48   d  and a second end thereof is connected to a vertical support rod  50  which is mounted at the intersection of side  20  of trailer section  14  and rear end  52  thereof. Ribs  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  and  48   d  are movably supported on cable  22  and support rod  50  is fixedly mounted. Support spar  38  extends outwardly away from rod  50  and is pivotable about rod  50 .  
         [0031]     As may be seen in  FIG. 5 , the lower end of each rib  48   a - 48   d  is secured to a connector  58   a ,  58   b ,  58   c  and  58   d , respectively. In each instance, a bolt  56  of any one of the connectors  58  clamps the lower end of the rib  48  against side  20  of trailer section  14  and prevents the same from moving. It will be understood that other securing means could be provided to lock lower ends of ribs  48   a - 48   d  to sides  20 . For example, an aperture (not shown) may be provided in the lower end of the rib and the bolt  56  could pass through the aperture. Connectors  58  are positioned at intervals along each the side  20  of trailer section  14 . The intervals correspond to the spacing between adjacent ribs  48  on tarpaulin  22  when the sheet is in a fully extended state. When tarpaulin  22  is drawn across the side  22  of trailer section  14 , the lower ends of ribs  48   a - 48   d  are secured in place by connectors  5 . Because the intervals between adjacent connectors  58  correspond to the distance between adjacent ribs,  48   a - 48   d , panels  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  are pulled taut. This keeps tarpaulins  22  in close contact with sides  20  of trailer section  14  and blocks access to cages  16 .  
         [0032]     A mechanism is also provided for securing tarpaulins  22  when they are fully retracted and are not covering sides  20  of trailer section  14 . This mechanism includes a plurality of gates  60  that extend outwardly away from rod  50  ( FIG. 1 ) and in substantially the same direction as support spar  38 . Gates  60  are pivotable about rod  50  between a first position where they lie along rear end  52  of trailer section  14  ( FIG. 7 ) and a second position where they lie along the side  20  of trailer section  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Gates  60  are selectively secured against rear end  52  of trailer section  14  by catches  62  ( FIG. 3 ). A plurality of straps  64  ( FIG. 3 ) are also provided to hold tarpaulin  22  against rear end  52  of trailer section  14 . Additionally, the first ends  34  of second cable section  26   b  preferably are drawn across tarpaulins  22  and are connected to pins  66  ( FIG. 7 ). This not only holds sheets  22  in place, but also prevents cable  26  from flapping around.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 6-18 , coop trailer  10  is used to transport poultry in the following manner. Birds, such as chickens or turkeys, are placed in cages  16  to be loaded into coop trailer  10 . In order for cages  16  to be loaded onto trailer section  14 , tarpaulins  22  have to be in a retracted position. This means that sheets  22  are drawn back toward the rear end  52  of trailer section  14  and preferably are secured in the position shown in  FIG. 7 , so that they do not interfere with cages  16 . Once loaded, cages  16  are secured in place in a conventional manner. Tarpaulin system  18  is then engaged to cover the sides  20  of trailer section  14  and thereby block off access to cages  16  and cut down on the free flow of air through cages  16 . The tarpaulin system  18  is engaged as follows. Catches  62 , straps  64  and first ends  34  of second cable sections  26   b  are released so that gates  60  and spars  28  are free to rotate away from rear end  52  of trailer section  14 . The operator grasps gates  60  and swings them in the direction of the arrow “A” ( FIG. 9 ) until gates  60  and spars  28  are in contact with sides  20  of trailer section  14  ( FIG. 10 ). Because tarpaulins  22  are held on support spars  38 , sheets  22  swing away from rear end  52  of trailer section  14  and into contact with sides  20  of trailer section  14 . The operator then engages a motor  68  ( FIG. 6 ) that is operationally connected to lower winch  32 , and unwinds a portion of first section  26   a  of cable  26  from lower winch  32 . The first end  28  of first section  26   a  of cable  26  is then secured to the first end  34  of second section  26   b  of cable  26  ( FIGS. 12 &amp; 13 ). The operator engages motor  68  to wind up a portion of first section  26   a  of cable  26  so that the slack in cable  26  is taken up ( FIG. 14 ) and cable  26  is reasonably taut. The operator grasps the foremost stiffening rib  48   a  ( FIG. 15 ) and walks toward the front end  70  of trailer section  14  in the direction of arrow “B”, pulling the rib  48   a  with him. As he walks toward the front end  70  of trailer section  14 , the folds in tarpaulin  22  straighten out and the panels  46 ,  44 ,  42  and  40  are sequentially unfolded ( FIGS. 15 through 18 ). When foremost stiffening rib  48   a  lies in close proximity to front end  70  of trailer section  14  ( FIG. 18 ), the operator secures stiffening rib  48   a  to connector  58   a  by engaging bolt  56  against rib  48   a  ( FIG. 5 ). The operator secures the other stiffening ribs  48   b ,  48   c  and  48   d  to  58   b b,  58   c  and  58   d  respectively in the same manner. When in this position, tarpaulin system  18  prevents access to cages  16  and furthermore substantially cuts down on the free flow of air through the cages  16 . There is a substantial decrease in the number of bird fatalities because the birds inside cages  16  are not being buffeted about by the wind when the coop trailer  10  is traveling on the roads. The fatalities tend to also be reduced because tarpaulins  22  aid in retaining heat within trailer section  14  in the winter and create shade during the summer. It has been found that bird fatalities tend to decrease substantially when the tarpaulin system  18  is engaged.  
         [0034]     When the coop trailer&#39;s destination is reached, tarpaulins  22  are removed from sides  20  of trailer section  14  to allow access to cages  16 . In order to retract sheets  22 , bolt  56  is disengaged from connector  58   a  thereby releasing rib  48   a  and thereby panel  40  for movement along first section  26   a  of cable  26 . The operator grasps rib  48   a  and walks toward the rear end  52  of trailer section  14 . As he does so, he pulls rib  48   a  with him causing panel  40  to be drawn backwardly and to form folds  72  ( FIGS. 11-17 ). When rearmost fold  72   a  of panel  40  reaches secured rib  48   b  ( FIG. 17 ), connector  58   b  is loosened. This allows rib  48   b  and panels  40  and  42  to slide along first section  26   a  of cable  26 . As panel  42  is drawn toward rear end  52  of trailer section  14 , it too folds up. When rearmost fold  72   b  ( FIG. 16 ) of panel  42  reaches next secured rib  48   c , connector  58   c  is loosened. This allows rib  48   c  and panels  40 ,  42  and  44  to slide backwards along first section  26   a  of cable  26 , over the connection between ends  28  and  34  of cable  26  and onto second section  26   b  of cable  26 . When rearmost fold  72   c  reaches secured rib  48   d  ( FIG. 15 ), connector  58   d  is loosened so that rib  48   d  and panels  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  may slide backwardly. The rings  24  of folded panels  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  slide onto spar  38  ( FIG. 14 ) until front rib  48   a  lies rearwardly of the end  74  of spar  38 . The tension on cable  26  is released by engaging motor  68  and unwinding a section of cable  26  from lower winch  32 . This allows cable  26  to drop downwardly toward the ground giving the operator access to ends  28  and  34  of first and second cable sections  26   a ,  26   b . Ends  28  and  34  are disconnected from each other and motor  68  is engaged to wind some of the cable in first section  26   a  onto lower winch  32 . When first end  28  is disposed proximate lower winch  32 , with a segment of cable  26  still wrapping around upper pulley  30 , first end  28  is attached to a pin  76  ( FIG. 11 ) to lock end  28  in place.  
         [0035]     At this point, each tarpaulin  22  is folded up and is held on one of the spars  38  as is shown in  FIG. 11 . The operator then grasps rib  48   a  or gate  60  and walks toward the rear end  52  of trailer section  14 , rotating spar  38  and gate  60  from the position shown in  FIG. 10  to the position shown in  FIG. 8 . Once sheet  22  abuts rear end  52  of trailer section  14 , gates  60  are secured against tarpaulins  22  by catches  62 . Straps  64  are positioned and fastened to hold tarpaulins  22  against rear end  52  of trailer section  14 . Furthermore, each first end  34  of second cable sections  26   b  is drawn across the respective tarpaulin  22  ( FIG. 7 ) and is secured to a pin  66 . This aids in holding sheets  22  in place and also secures cables  26  so that they do not flap around or interfere with the removal of any cages  16  from coop trailer  10 . At this stage, sides  20  of trailer section  14  are open and the cages  16  containing the birds can be easily accessed and removed from the trailer section  14 . Once cages  16  have been unloaded, the poultry can be removed from cages  16 .  
         [0036]     It will be understood that instead of the operator physically manipulating tarpaulins  22  by holding ribs  48  and walking along the sides  20  of trailer section  14 , the movement of ribs  48  and therefore sheet  22  may be motor-driven. Furthermore, a handle or some other grasping device may be provided on rib  48   a  to aid in physically manipulating tarpaulin  22 . It will be understood that tarpaulins  22  may also be only partially drawn across or retracted along the sides  20  of trailer section  14 . If this is the case, then foremost rib  48   a  may be secured to any one of connectors  58   b ,  58   c  and  58   d.    
         [0037]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0038]     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1