Patents Assigned to Agricultural Research and Development Inc.
  • Patent number: 4280447
    Abstract: A manure scraper moves along an alleyway divided into sections by a plurality of gates or partitions and as the scraper passes under each partition, a wire brush or the like attached to the gate but insulated therefrom, engages the upper surface and electrifies the scraper so that an animal touching or being engaged by the scraper, receives an electric shock. The wire brush is connected to a shocking transformer which in turn is connected to a source of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Agricultural Research & Development Inc.
    Inventor: Frank R. Laurenz
  • Patent number: 4248406
    Abstract: The drive motor is pivotally supported axially within the frame so that it rotates slightly if the torque of the motor increases due to the scraper assembly being impeded by animals, equipment, broken slats or the like. This actuates a reversing switch thus reversing the movement of the scraper assembly. If desired, an electric shock circuit can be included which is actuated first, in case the obstruction is an animal. If the animal moves away from the scraper then the scraper proceeds as the reversing switch has not been actuated at this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Agricultural Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank R. Laurenz
  • Patent number: 4243137
    Abstract: A T-shaped scraper assembly is operatively connected to a drive unit via a cable assembly and is adapted to be pulled along the floor in one direction thus scraping manure or debris from the floor, and in the opposite direction to return the scraper assembly to the starting position. When moving in the non-scraping direction, means are provided to elevate the scraper blades slightly above the floor level. The scraper blades are floatably mounted vertically thus allowing them to follow the floor contours within limits and the width is adjustable within limits also. The drive unit includes a resilient or nonmetal main, grooved cable pulley and a resilient or nonmetal idler pulley situated at an angle so that the cable engaging around these pulleys runs relatively freely aligned in the cable grooves. The angling of the idler pulley relative to the main drive pulley reduces side friction between the cable and the grooves and between the cable portions where same cross one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Agricultural Research and Development Inc.
    Inventor: Frank R. Laurenz
  • Patent number: 4123992
    Abstract: A circular area is provided having the floor sloping inwardly towards the center and having manure and urine disposal means within the center. A boom is pivotally mounted by one end thereof in the center and extends radially outwardly to the outer boundary of the area to be cleaned and a scraper component is supported by the boom and contacts the floor surface. The boom is operatively connected to a source of power for rotating same and the scraper is either straight or curved with the inner end secured at a point offset from the axis of the boom pivot so that when rotated, the outer end of the scraper is in advance of a radius line extending upwardly from the pivot and the inner end of the scraper is behind the same radius line extending from the pivot. An alternative embodiment provides a floor sloping outwardly from the central pivot to an annular sump or collector under which circumstances, the relation of the scraper is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Agricultural Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank R. Laurenz