AU2009212954A1

AU2009212954A1 - Stock lift race

Info

Publication number: AU2009212954A1
Application number: AU2009212954A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rod Holland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-04
Filing date: 2009-09-04
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-04
Also published as: AU2009212954B2; AU2009212954C1

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICANT: Rod HOLLAND INVENTION TITLE: STOCK LIFT RACE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: - 2 STOCK LIFT RACE 5 Field of the Invention This invention relates to animal handling devices, and in particular, to a stock race lift which provides a means of moving stock for individual handling with limited disruption and discomfort to the animal. 10 Whilst the invention may be applied to the handling of any suitable animal or stock such as cattle, goats or the like, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a stock lift race for the handling of lambs. Background to the Invention 15 Stock races are commonly used on stock yards for holding animals and as a passageway to guide the animals to a suitable location for individual handling. The standard races generally comprise a barrier that is fixed to the ground which the animals can be moved in between. Once the animals are moved to a suitable location for handling they must generally be carried from the barrier onto the ground or a platform for individual handling 20 which can be back-breaking work for a handler and uncomfortable and distressing for an animal. In order to alleviate some of the physical burden on animal handlers, modular clamping lift races have been developed which are designed to mechanically lift the animals from the 25 ground to an elevated position. These current clamping lifts operate by moving two side tine racks inwardly to push the animals together and consequently, raise them in an upward direction. However, these lifts result in discomfort for the animals by pushing the animals and removing their stability as their legs no longer contact a floor surface when lifted. 30 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a stock race lift which provides a means of moving stock for individual handling with limited disruption and discomfort to the animal.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a stock lift race including: a body portion; a cradle member; and 5 a lifting assembly whereby the stock race lift provides a means of moving stock for individual handling with limited disruption and discomfort to the animal. In a particular form the present invention provides a stock lift race comprising an elongated body portion having floor and walls and a gated entrance at one end and further 10 comprising a cradle member extending along a side wall and a lifting assembly for raising at least the floor relative to the cradle member to raise stock in the elongated body portion to a height that allows easy movement to the cradle member. It is preferred that the body portion of the stock lift race is preferably defined by a 15 rectangular frame assembly. It is preferred that the race preferably has provided at least one, preferably two, side walls. It is preferred that the body portion preferably has provided a floor portion. The floor 20 portion may preferably be solid or grated to suit the stock being handled and/or application for the stock lift race. It is preferred that the stock lift race preferably has provided at least one gate member. 25 It is preferred that the cradle member is preferably adapted to be secured to a side wall of the race via a suitable securing means such as a mounting bracket. It is preferred that the lifting assembly preferably has provided at least one support member to which the body portion of the stock lift race can be attached. 30 It is preferred that the lifting assembly preferably has provided a means for controlling movement of the stock lift race.

4 It is further preferred that the means for controlling movement is preferably at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram which is adapted to be connected to the support members and/or body portion of the race. 5 The invention further provides a method of moving stock comprising the steps of providing an entrance to an enclosure; activating a lift assembly in an upward direction to a desired height; providing a means to transfer stock from an enclosure to a narrow area in which to allow individual stock handling; providing means to transfer stock from a narrow area in which to allow individual stock handling, to an enclosure; activating a lift assembly in a 10 downward direction and providing an exit from an enclosure. In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof. 15 Description of Drawings In order that the invention can be more readily understood an embodiment will be described by way of non-limiting examples by reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a photographic view of the stock race lift in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 20 Figure 2 is a photographic view of the stock race lift from an overhead perspective illustrating such features as the elongated body portion, including the side walls, floor portion, gate member and cradle member wherein the floor portion is open with bars in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a photographic view of the stock race lift illustrating from an overhead 25 perspective the cradle member in use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a photographic side view of the stock race lift illustrating the features of the stock race lift including a single ram the in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 30 Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides a stock race 10 lift which provides a means of moving stock for individual handling with limited disruption and discomfort to the 5 animal. The stock race lift shall be described herein for the individual handling of lambs. However, it should be acknowledged that the invention may also be applied to the handling of other animals including, cattle, goats or the like. It is envisaged that the shape, style, dimensions and/or features of the invention may be varied as required to suit 5 different animals and/or other applications. The stock lift race is made of a metal material. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable material may also be adopted so long as it is strong, durable, weather-resistant and meets the requirements of the invention. The stock lift race has provided a body 10 portion 20. The body portion 20 of the stock lift race is preferably defined by a rectangular frame assembly. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable shape may also be employed. The race has provided at least one, preferably two, side walls 22. The side walls 22 are welded to the frame of the body portion 20. However, it is envisaged that the side wall 22 may also be secured to the frame assembly via any other suitable securing 15 means. The side walls 22 may be at least partly solid to assist in firmly holding the stock within the race and prevent the stock from getting caught within any open railings. However, it is envisaged that the side walls 22 may also be partially or fully created as a frame assembly having at least one vertical support and at least one horizontal railing which is adapted to be spaced apart from an adjacent railing by a prescribed distance to 20 provide breathing space and access to the animals. It is envisaged that the side wall(s) 22 on the sides where the stock are not being handled will be higher to ensure that the stock remain within the race. The stock life race has provided a floor portion 24. The floor portion 24 may be solid or 25 grated to suit the stock being handled and/or application for the stock lift race. The floor portion 24 is preferably welded to the frame of the body portion 20. However, it is envisaged that the floor portion may also be secured to the frame assembly via any other suitable securing means. 30 The stock lift race has provided at least one gate member 26. The gate member 26 is adapted to be located at the front and/or back end of the stock lift race. Where there is no gate provided at a particular end of the race it is envisaged that a solid back or front end will be provided. The gate member 26 has provided a locking mechanism which is 6 adapted to keep the door secured in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism may preferably include a latch or lever or the like. A first end of the latch/lever may be pivotally secured to the adjacent frame and/or support member whilst the second end can be brought down in front of the gate member 26 to 5 keep it in a closed position against the frame and/or support member. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable locking mechanism may also be employed. In an alternate embodiment, it is envisaged that the adjacent frame or support member may have provided an elongated aperture or slit portion which is adapted to receive a rod or the like which is preferably attached to the gate and moveable within the aperture or slit 10 for raising or lowering the gate as required to move stock in and out of the lift race. The stock lift race has provided at least one cradle member 30 or trough for enabling an animal to be handled. The cradle member 30 is preferably adapted to be secured to a side wall of the race via a suitable securing means. In a preferred embodiment, the securing 15 means is a mounting bracket which is adapted to be secured to the bottom of the cradle member 30. A support arm may be integrally formed with or attached to the side wall and/or mounting bracket. The support arms are preferably mounted at an angle which will be dependent on the size of the cradle member 30 in order to keep the cradle member 30 substantially horizontal relative to the side wall 22. 20 The stock lift race has provided a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly is preferably adapted to raise the floor portion 24 of the stock lift race to a suitable height for transferring animal from within the race onto the cradle member 30 or trough for handling. The lifting assembly has provided at least one support member to which the body portion 25 20 of the stock lift race can be attached. In a preferred embodiment, the invention has provided vertical supports located at either side of the race and/or horizontal supports for the base and/or top of the body portion 20. The lifting assembly has provided a means for controlling movement of the stock lift race. The means for controlling movement is preferably at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram which is adapted to be connected to 30 the support members and/or body portion 20 of the race. At least one line is provided to connect the ram to a hydraulic or other suitable source. The stock lift race preferably has provided at least one switch or the like which is adapted to activate the ram in order to raise or lower the floor portion 24 of the stock lift race as required. It is envisaged that any 7 other suitable means for raising the floor portion 24 and/or body portion 20 of the stock lift race may also be employed. It is envisaged that the switch and/or ram may be connected to an external power source for the operation of the lifting assembly. 5 The invention further provides a method of moving stock as, in practice, the gate member 26 at one or both ends of the stock lift race is opened and the stock 5 are led into the race. The gate member(s) 26 is/are then closed and the switch is turned on to raise the floor of the race and stock 5 to a working height. Once at a working height, the stock can be transferred to the cradle member 30 or trough for individual handling for various 10 activities such as tagging or marking. While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a stock lift race, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be 15 understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. The present invention provides a stock lift race including: a body portion; 5 a cradle member; and a lifting assembly whereby the stock race lift provides a means of moving stock for individual handling with limited disruption and discomfort to the animal.

2. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is defined by a 10 rectangular frame assembly.

3. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the body portion has provided at least one, preferably two, side walls. i5

4. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the body portion has provided a floor portion.

5. A stock lift race according to claim 4, wherein the body portion is solid. 20

6. A stock lift race according to claim 4, wherein the body portion is grated.

7. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the body portion has at least one gate member. 25

8. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the cradle member is adapted to be secured to a side wall of the stock lift race via a securing means.

9. A stock lift race according to claim 8, wherein the securing means is a mounting bracket. 30

10. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the lifting assembly has provided at least one support member to which the body portion of the stock lift race can be attached. 9

11. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the lifting assembly has provided a means for controlling movement of the stock lift race.

12. A stock lift race according to claim 11, wherein the means for controlling 5 movement is at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram which is adapted to be connected to the support members and /or body portion of the stock lift race.

13. A stock lift race according to claim 1, wherein the lifting assembly raises the floor portion, at least the floor relative to the cradle member, to raise stock in the 10 elongated body portion to a height that allows easy movement to the cradle member.

14. A method of moving stock comprising the steps of: i. Providing an entrance to an enclosure 15 ii. Activating a lift assembly in an upward direction to a desired height iii. Providing a means to transfer stock from an enclosure to a narrow area in which to allow individual stock handling. iv. Providing means to transfer stock from a narrow area in which to allow individual stock handling, to an enclosure. 20 v. Activating a lift assembly in a downward direction vi. Providing an exit from an enclosure.

15. A stock lift race substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. 25

16. A method of using a stock lift race substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.