AN APPARATUS FOR DIPPING SHEEP OR OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Martin, of Larbrax, in the County of Wigton,
North Britain, for the Invention of "AN APPARATUS FOR DIPPING SHEEP
OR OTHER ANIMALS."
Sealed the 23rd May 1879, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 14th November 1878
Sealed the 23rd May 1879, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 14th November 1978
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Martin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1878.
WILLIAM MARTIN, of Larbrax, in the County of Wigton, North Britain.
APPARATUS FOR DIPPING SHEEP OR OTHER ANIMALS."
"
AN
This Invention, which relates to apparatus for dipping sheep or other animals,
has for its objects as follows:-First, to enable the dipping operation of a large
quantity of sheep or other animals to be carried out more expeditiously than by the
existing practice of hand-dipping; secondly, to avoid the rough usage to which
sheep or other animals are subjected by the existing practice; and, thirdly, to ensure
the dipping operation being sufficiently carried out, that is to say, by making, it
certain that the sheep shall be kept in the dip for the proper length of time.
The Invention consists of a circular central platform, to the circumference of
which, one, two, three, four, or more tubs for containing the dip are attached. This
part of the apparatus is carried upon a central pivot or shaft, so that it is capable
of being rotated by spur or other equivalent gearing. In proximity to this rotating
part of the apparatus there is situated a platform, upon which a sheep or other
animal to be dipped walks into a clamp, which at the time of the sheep entering
therein is open, but immediately that a sheep has entered it the clamp is closed so
so as to retain the animal therein. The clamp is carried upon a pivot or centres,
upon which it is turned, together with the sheep or other animal therein, into an
inverted position, that is to say, it places the sheep or other animal with its back
downwards. When in this position the clamp is released, and the sheep on being
loosened therefrom falls on to another clamp, the lower part of which is at the time

page_text: situated at the upper part of one of the dipping tubs. The weight of the sheep
causes this clamp and the sheep therein to sink into the dip, whilst the sides of the
clamp, which are hinged to its lower part, and at the same time rest against the
edges or sides of the tub, are by the sinking action closed around the sheep's body,
so as to hold and keep it in proper position whilst in the dipping liquid. So soon
as one sheep is got into a tub in the manner herein-before described, the apparatus,
in cases where more than one tub is used, is moved round until another tub is
brought under the first mentioned clamp and inverting apparatus, when another sheep
or other animal held therein is inverted and placed in that tub in a similar manner,
and so on for any number of such tubs. When the sheep or other animal has been
in the dip for a sufficient length of time the tub or tubs in succession is or are brought
opposite a dripping platform, at which time the clamp with the sheep in the tub is
by means of a lever raised out therefrom to the level of such platform. The raising
of the clamp out of the tub opens the sides of the clamp, and the sheep imine-
diately rolls or falls out on to the dripping platform, where it is kept to allow the
dip to drip off.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Martin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd May
1879.
WILLIAM MARTIN, of Larbrax, in the County of Wigton, North Britain.
APPARATUS FOR DIPPING SHEEP OR OTHER ANIMALS."
<< 'AN
My said Invention relates to apparatus for dipping sheep and other animals, and
has for its objects to enable the operation of dipping a large number of animals to
be carried out more expeditiously than by the existing practice of hand dipping, at
the same time avoiding the rough usage to which the animals are subjected under
the said practice of hand dipping, and enabling the operation of dipping being
efficiently carried out by ensuring that the animals shall be kept in the dip for the
proper length of time.
The apparatus constructed according to this Invention consists of a platform to
which tubs containing the dip are attached. In proximity to this platform, and so
situated that as rotation is given to the platform each tub in succession is brought
under the said platform, is a platform upon which the animal to be dipped walks
into a clamp, which is then closed and secures the animal. The clamp with the
animal therein is then turned upon centres, so that the animal is brought with its
back downwards immediately over one of the tubs on the platform, when the clamp
is loosed and the animal is received by another clamp connected with the tub,
which clamp sinks into the tub with the animal, closing around the animal as it
sinks. A motion of rotation is now given to the platform, and another animal is
similarly deposited in the next dipping tub, and so on. As the platform travels
round each tub thereon arrives at a dripping platform, and here the clamp with the

page_text: animal in it is raised from the tub to the level of the dripping platform, and the
said clamp opening out, the animal is released therefrom and rolls on to the said
dripping platform.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawing, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say-
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing represents in plan, and Figure 2 in
elevation, apparatus constructed according to my Invention. The platform A is
rotated through the hand wheel a operating through the bevel gearing a¹, the
pinion a gearing into the internal toothed wheel or circular rack a³, the platform A
being centred at a', and its outer part being furnished with wheels or rollers running
upon a circular rail at a to allow of its easy movement. Upon the platform A are
mounted tubs B. In Figure 2 one of the tubs B and the platform D (hereinafter
referred to) are shewn partly in section, the better to illustrate these parts. Figure 3
represents a transverse section with the clamp raised; Figure 4, a like view with
the clamp lowered; and Figure 5, a plan, also with the clamp lowered, of one of the
tubs B, which Figures shew the details now to be described, the said details being
in great part omitted from Figures 1 and 2 for the sake of the more clearly illus-
trating the other parts. Each tub B is furnished with a clamp C, consisting of a
number of semicircular ribs c joined by a longitudinal bar c¹. The ribs c have
hinged thereto curved flap pieces c². The bar c¹ is connected through the fork-like
rods c³ on either side of the tub with the lever c' turning upon fulcra on standards c³.
By raising or depressing this lever the clamp C can be lowered into the tub or
raised so that its bottom is near to or level with the top of the tub. A platform
at D is mounted between posts E in such a position that the tubs B pass beneath it.
The platform D has a clamp F formed of bars or sheets so curved that when the
two parts thereof are closed together they contain and hold securely the animal to
be dipped. Figure 6 represents a side view of the clamp F and its attachment.
The platform D and the clamp F are mounted upon pivots or centres at f, upon
which is a wheel f¹ having attached to it a rope f passing over a pulley f³.
Between the posts E is a curved guide e. The two parts of the clamp F may be
closed towards each other or allowed to open out away from each other by the
looped lever fpressing down the projecting ends f³ of the two parts of the clamp F.
At G is shewn the draining platform where the superfluous dip from the animals
released from the tubs is allowed to drip off.
In using the apparatus the platform A is brought into such a position that one
of its tubs is immediately under the platform D. The animals to be dipped are
driven into the pen H, and from thence, one at a time, they are driven along in the
direction indicated by the arrows on to the platform D and into the clamp F. The
two parts of the said clamp are now closed upon the animal by raising the lever f*;
fo are pins for retaining the said lever in position. The clamp F is now turned
down upon its pivots at on the side on which is the guide e, its movement being
eased or regulated by means of the rope ƒ The animal is thus brought back
downwards over the clamp C of the tub B beneath, the said clamp being in its
raised and open position. The clamp F is now opened out, and the animal falls
back downwards upon the semicircular bars c of the clamp C, the weight of the
animal causing the said clamp to sink, grasping the animal by reason of its hinged
flaps c bearing against the sides of the tub and being urged inwards and around
the animal during the descent. A collar piece c', formed with swivel joints to
accomodate itself to different sized animals, is or may be hinged to the sides or end
of the tubs B for the neck of the animal to rest in, so that its head is supported
above the dip. The hinged flaps care of a curved form best suited to the par-
ticular shape of the animals being dipped. Flaps may be turned down at the
sides of the tub to prevent the animal from splashing out the dip. The clamp F
rises into its former position as soon as the animal leaves it, the weight x causing

page_text: this rising, and the platform is moved round a portion of a revolution and an animal
deposited in like manner in the next tub B, and so on with the rest. As the tubs arrive
opposite the draining platform G the clamp C is raised by means of the lever c¹,
and opening out the animal rolls or falls on to the end of the draining platform,
which consists of a flap or shelf slightly overhanging the tubs B, and inclining,
as does also the floor of the draining platform G, downwards towards the grating g',
so that the superfluous dip dropping from the animals may flow through the said
grating and into a vessel at I containing the dip, which may be pumped therefrom
into the tubs B.
I
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or
may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that
I do not limit myself to the precise details herein before described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawing, as the same may be varied without departing from the
nature of my Invention; for instance, although I have shewn four tubs B as being
mounted upon the platform A, yet I do not limit myself to any particular number,
as one or more may be used, as may be found most convenient. Although I have
found the clamps F and C to answer well for the purposes of my Invention, yet I
do not limit myself to the precise construction of such clamps, as equivalent means
of confining the animals to be dipped may be employed; neither do I limit myself
to the mode shewn of giving motion to the platform A, as it may be effected in any
convenient manner; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
First. The apparatus for dipping sheep and other animals, the same being con-
structed essentially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing.
Second. The combination with the said apparatus of the clamps F or its equi-
valent, essentially as and for the purpose herein before described.
Third. The combination with the tubs B of the clamp C or its equivalent,
essentially as and for the purposes herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Martin, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty first day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.