Improvements in Weigh-bridge Cattle Cages.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weigh-bridge Cattle Cages.
JOHN DOUGLAS MCJANNET of Woodlands in the Town and County of Stirling
North Britain Farmer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention which relates to improvements in weigh-bridge cattle cages has for
its object to provide a cattle cage having a blinder or blinder and pouch attached
to the front of the end door to enable large-sized cattle being weighed, on weigh
bridges which have short platforms.
It has been found that cattle on having entered a cattle cage attempt to leap out
of the same on account of the door having an opening cut in it from the top down-
wards which permits an animals head and part of the neck to project over the door
which would appear an insufficient barrier at a short height from the ground.
This invention is to prevent cattle leaping outwith the cage without interfering with
the hole in the door. It consists of an iron frame fixed by bolts and nuts to the
front of the door, the upper portion-of a bow shape-rising about 9 inches or so
above the wooden door, and extending a short piece beyond the door on both sides.
The under part of the frame has small holes drilled in it about 6 inches or so apart.
A canvas or cloth sheet in the form of a loose curtain or in the form of a pouch
may be attached to the iron frame by twine or hooks, & this being completed the
whole forms a suitable blinder which prevents the cattle seeing beyond the door and
attempting to leap out the cage. As the iron frame goes below the opening in
the door a little hay or fodder may be placed in the sheeting. While engaged
eating this the cattle stand motionless, thus enabling their weight to be accurately
and rapidly recorded.
Dated 16th day of Auril 1892.
D. DRYSDALE AUSTIN,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weigh-bridge Cattle Cages.
JOHN DOUGLAS MCJANNET of Woodlands in the Town and County of Stirling
North Britain Farmer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention which relates to improvements in weigh-bridge cattle cages, has
for its object to provide a cage having a blinder, or blinder and pouch, attached to
the front of the end door, to enable large sized cattle being weighed, on weigh-
bridges which have short platforms.
It has been found that cattle on having entered a cattle cage, attempt to leap out
of same, on account of the door having an opening cut in it, from the top down-
wards, which permits an animals head and part of the neck to project over the door
which would appear to be an insufficient barrier at a short height from the ground.
By my invention cattle will be prevented leaping outwith the cage, and from
interfering with the hole in the door.

page_text: The invention consists of an iron frame (preferably hinged at or near the centre
thereof to permit of its upper part being folded over, and so out of sight of all
cattle or animals entering the cage) fixed by bolts and nuts, or screwed nails to the
front of the door, the upper portion of a bowl shape-rising about nine inches or so,
above the wooden door and extending or projecting a short distance beyond the
door on both sides of the opening in the door. The under part of the frame has
small holes drilled in it about six inches or so apart.
A canvas or cloth sheet in the form of a loose curtain, or in the form of a pouch
may be attached to the iron frame on the door, by twine or hooks or by any suitable
means. The whole forms a suitable blinder which prevents the cattle seeing beyond
the door, and attempting to leap out of the cage. As the iron frame goes below the
opening in the door a little hay or fodder may be placed in the sheeting. While
engaged eating this the cattle stand motionless, thus enabling their weight to be
accurately and rapidly recorded.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side clevation of a blinder, pouch, framework and stays, of a weigh
bridge cattle cage, shown in position and made in accordance with and constituting
my invention.
Fig. 2. is also a side elevation, showing the blinder and pouch in the drop down
or collapsed position.
Fig. 3 is a part elevation & part plan of the framework.
Figs. 4 & 5 are respectively side and front elevation of the main lower stay with
catch.
Figs. 6 & 7 are side elevations of upper main stay and pivot piece hereinafter
more fully described.
Screwed, bolted, or otherwise attached to the door A, are the two vertical side
frames B (Figs. 1, 2, & 3). The top ends of the said frames B, terminate with a
pivot piece b, by which means the upper part vertical and part semi-circular
frame C (seen more particularly in Fig. 3) is connected therewith by a corresponding
pivot piece c and pivot D. These frames B & C are preferably formed of angle
iron and are pierced with holes e to enable the combined blinder and pouch E being
attached thereto by means of twine or other suitable means. That the said blinder
and pouch E may be distended or collapsed at will, stays F & G are pivoted to the
frames B & C at an angle to the vertical.
The stay F pivoted to the said frame B, is provided with a self locking joint or
catch H with which the upper stay G, pivoted to the upper frame C engages, when in
the raised position. Those said stays F & G as well as the pivot pieces & care
represented in detail drawn to an enlarged scale in Figures 4, 5, 6 & 7 in Sheet 3
of the drawings. The contour of the cattle cage being of an upwardly increasing
dimension, and of which the framework B & C partake, as seen from the drawings,
enables the said cage to receive cattle of any size to be weighed; it is therefore
necessary that the lower stay F should be curved at some point of its length to
correspond to this contour. This curvature I of the stay F is illustrated at Fig. 5,
Sheet 3. of the drawings. Within the hollow of the lower portion of the blinder
constituting the pouch J, hay or other fodder may be placed when the cattle are
being weighed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be carried into effect I declare that
what I claim is :-
First. In a weigh bridge cattle cage the combination of blinder and pouch formed
of canvas or analogous material laced or otherwise suitably attached to a metal
framework substantially as and for the purposes described and shewn.
Second. In a weigh bridge cattle cage the metal framework B & C formed

page_text: preferably of angle iron and capable of being extended or collapsed by means of the
stays F & G and pivot D, substantially as and for the purposes described and
shewn.
Dated, at Glasgow, the 16th day of January 1893.
D. DRYSDALE AUSTIN,
45, Hope Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agent.