Improvements in Appliances Employed for Killing Cattle.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 29th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances Employed for Killing Cattle.
I, JOHN THOMAS FEATHER, of Field House, Southowram, Halifax, in the
County of York, Butcher, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improved appliances designed for use in stunning and
killing animals such as cows and pigs, the object being to provide means and
appliances whereby the animal to be killed can with certainty and ease be rendered
helpless and insensible with less pain and fear than was heretofore caused when
the ordinary pole axe was used. The apparatus is simple in its construction and
certain in its action, and can be used by an inexperienced person.
According to this invention, I employ a case or tube in which is a strong spiral
spring, and a punch or striker similar to the striking end of a pole axe.
The spiral
spring can be compressed, and the punch or striker drawn into the case or tube
by means of a hand wheel and worm and wheels, or other gear, and when the spring
is compressed it is so held by a trigger like device. Fixed to the outside of the
case or tube is an adjustable device consisting of one or two hooks or clamps, by
which the apparatus can be fixed to the head of the animal, the clamps going
behind the horns or ears, or behind the back of the head, so that the apparatus is
fixed in position with the punch or striker opposite to the vital part.
The trigger is pressed, and the spring released, whereon the punch or striker is
forcibly driven out of the case or tube into the head of the animal, so that the
punch or striker passes through the brain, and into the pith, and the animal is at
once rendered insensible and helpless.
D d- of Man 1905
100
BRIERLEY & HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances Employed for Killing Cattle.
I, JOHN THOMAS FEATHER, of Field House, Southowram, Halifax, iu the
County. of York, Butcher, 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 relates to improved. appliances designed for use in stunning and
killing animals such as cows and pigs, the object being to provide means and
appliances whereby the animal to be killed can with certainty and ease be rendered
helpless and insensible with less pain and fear than was heretofore caused when the
ordinary pole-axe was used. The apparatus is simple in its construction, and
certain in its action, and can be used by an inexperienced person.
According to this invention, I employ a case or tube, in which is a strong spiral
spring, and a punch or striker. The spiral spring can be compressed, and the
punch or striker drawn into the case or tube by means of gear lever or screw and
when the spring is compressed, it is so held by a trigger-like device.

page_text: Fixed to the outside of the case or tube is a device by which the appa
be adjusted on the head of the animal, so that the apparatus is held in position with
the punch or striker opposite to the vital part.
The trigger is pressed, and the spring released, whereon the punch or striker is
forcibly driven out of the case or tube, into the head of the animal, so that the
punch or striker passes through the brain and into the pith, and the animal is at
once rendered insensible and helpless.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which :-
_ Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of the improved apparatus for purpose herein
set forth.
Fig. 2 is an end sectional elevation on line A. B. of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view of the end of the apparatus, shewing the device for steadying
the apparatus when in position.
According to this invention. I employ a case or tube 1, along the top, bottom,
and end of which is a stout band of metal 2. The band of metal 2 is extended
at 3 and 4 at 3 into the arc shaped rack, and at 4 into a connecting piece between
the tube or case 1 and the stock 5. Inside the tube or case is a strong spiral
spring 6, coiled around a spindle 7, on which is a collar or boss 8, and on the end
of the spindle, which protrudes beyond the tube or case 1, is a rose-like
button 10. The inner end of the tube or casing 1 is partly closed by cross
pieces 11, so that the spiral spring 6 is between the cross pieces 11 and the
collar or boss 8. The spindle 7 is jointed at 12 to the prolongation 13 which
passes through a hole 14 in the hand lever 15: and on this prolonged portion 13
is formed a notch 16. Pivoted to the hand lever 15, is a catch or holding device 17,
and a lever or trigger 18.
The action of charging the appliance is as follows :-
The catch or holding device 17 is by the lever or trigger 18, moved behind the
notch 16, which is inclined so that when the trigger is released, as hereinafter
described, the catch 17 will be forced from behind the notch 16. When the
catch 17 is moved into this position, it is locked there by the lever or trigger 18
being caught behind the holding notch 19. The spindle 7 is drawn inwards, and
the spring 6 compressed by pulling the hand lever 15, and when sufficiently
compressed, the lever is locked in position by the catch 20 engaging with one of
the teeth in the rack 3.
The appliauce is now charged, and ready for use, and is used as follows:-
The rest or steading device 21 (see Fig. 3) is placed between the horns or on the
top of the head of the beast to be killed, and the spindle 7 directed against the
brain pan, or most vulnerable part of the head. The operator rests the stock 5
against his shoulder or some part of his body, and pulls the trigger or lever 18
from behind the notch 19, and as soon as this is done, the inclined face of the
notch 16 moves the catch 17 slightly to one side, and the spindle 7 is released, the
spring 6 expands, and the spindle 7 is projected outwards, and the end enters
the head and brain of the animal, going sufficiently far into it to enter the "pith."
The animal is now killed, or stunned, and falls to the ground, when the appliance
can be removed; the shape of the rose-like button 10 greatly facilitating both the
entrance and withdrawal of the spindle 7. In order to lessen liability of the
appliance being broken by the fall of the beast, the stock 5 is jointed at 23 to
the rest of the apparatus, and a spring 24 on the stock portion, pressing on the rack 3,
holds the stock and appliance in a straight line, but gives way when great force
is used.
When the spindle 7 is released, the notch 16 passes through the hole 14, but
the prolonged part 22 still remains in the hole, so facilitating the re-charging of
the appliance by moving the band lever 15 forwards until the catch 17 can again
engage with the notch 16.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting.
the improved appliance for killing or stunning animals, as herein described, and
substantially as illustrated by Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings.
(2.) The spring 6, spindle 7 provided with a trigger-like holding and releasing
device, the hand lever 15, and rack 3, all in combination, as and for the purpose
herein described, and substantially as illustrated by Fig. 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
JOHN THOMAS FEATHER,
By his Agents, Brierley & Howard,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.
JOHN THOMAS FEATHER,
By his Agents, Brierley & Howard,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.