An Improved Sheep Dipping Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
An Improved Sheep Dipping Apparatus.
WILLIAM THOMAS HUGHES Pantmawr Llaufarian R.S.O. Aberystwyth
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It consists of a cage or platform made of galvanized iron or other suitable
material. The cage is suspended to a frame work, above, which is fitted with a
wheel & pulley to which a 1od or chain is attached so as to lower the cage ol
platform into the tub or bath below. The said tub is made so as to contain water
or other liquid. The bottom of the platform or cage is connected to the bottom.
of the tub by an improved apparatus consisting of cross pieces of iron. The lower
ends of the pieces of irou are secured with bolts on rivets The two upper ends
move in two slots. A guide or stay is also fixed to each side. The cross piece is of
iron & guides cause the upper cage to descend perpendicularly into the tub or bath
below keep the said cage steady as it descends and ascends again. At each side of
the platform on a level with same when it is raised out of bath a narrow passage is
fitted. At the end of each passage an improved door is fitted which by pressure
on an extended handle moves on one side so as to allow the sheep to pass on to the
platform. When the platform descends into the water a protected upper part of
the cage stands out of the water so as to allow the heads of the sheep to remain
out of the water while their bodies are completely submerged. After submersion
the platform is hoisted up by the chain or pulley to its former level & the other
improved door opened to allow the sheep to pass out of the platform & down
through the improved door, & down the exit passage. If required a rope or chain.
can be passed through the cage over the framework on which the cage is suspended
& down the other side & at the other end fastened by suitable weight so as to-
counterbalance the weight of the cage when the sheep are in it & thus facilitate
the raising & lowering.
Dated this Seventh day of May 1895.
An Improved Sheep Dipping Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS HUGHES, late of Pantmawr, Llanfarian, R.S.O.,
Aberystwyth, but now of Abermaid, Aberystwyth, in the County of Cardigan,
Agent 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 consists in an improved apparatus for dipping sheep in a manner
which will provide for an entite submersion of the animal in a bath without the
hands of the operator having to retain the sheep in position.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus, Figure 2 a sectional
and elevation and Figure 3 a plan of the same.
Figure 4 is a detail end elevation showing my improved gate.

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect I provide a cage or platform A which I
suspend or attach to a framework B having suitable gearing and raising and
lowering wheels and pulleys C CI secured to the top of the framing. The cage
or platform is connected to the gearing or pulley by a chain or cord D, and when
so desired a balance weight E is arranged
by means of a cord or chain F which, while or in connection with the apparatus
serving to balance the cage, affords
a means of raising and lowering the cage and the annal by pulling F.
The tub or bath G is placed below the apparatus or a tank may be formed in
the ground wheu the nature of such will allow for a liming of brick, concrete or
other suitable material may be introduced when dispensing with the independent
tank G. Within the tub we place water or other sheep dipping fluid to suit the
operation which is to be performed upon the sheep
The bottom of the platform or cage is connected to the bottom of the tank o
tub by means of links II H and vertical guide pieces K within which pins Lalude,
the whole combination or links with their sliding pins L M serving to permit of
a truly vertical motion being given to the cage A and for keeping it steady when
in operation.
At each side of the platform and on a level with the upper position of the cage
floor, narrow passages 001 are formed, having at the inner ends improved doors
or gates which gates are provided with a handle R o projecting end for
enabling the gate to be moved out of its closed position in one convenient manner
by pivoting on r. I secure the sheep in position by means of a clipping or sliding
cradle S manipulated by means of a hand lever S1 so that when the cage is
lowered and the fluid enters through the openings or perforations to cover the
animal the head is kopt above the level of the fluid and thus protected while the
body is completely submerged.
The sheep is allowed to pass through one entrance passage and out of the
other sido O 1.
I do not limit the application of my invention to any particular form of cage o
any arrangement of gearing, but I modify the same using any suitable material and
any well known 1aising and lowering device for carrying my invention into effect.
Similarly vary the method of moving the gate and constructing the apparatus
generally to suit the position in which it is to be placed and the conveniences of the
district where it is to be constructed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manuel the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―.
1. The improvements in sheep dipping apparatus substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore descubed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
2. In a sheep dipping apparatus the combination of a moving cage or platforin
with a bath or tauk into which it enters and suitable gearing for raising and
lowering the cage or platform substantially as herembefore described.
3. In a sheep dipping apparatus, the arrangement of linkage guide bars and
sliding pius for keeping the cage or the platform steady and for ensuring
perpendicular movement substantially as her ein before described, and as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
4. The construction and arrangement of a sheep dipping apparatus having
a vertically moving cago or platform with guiding passages provided with gates on
each side of the same, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of Jonas 1900.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, Loudon, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.