Abstract: A cattle stanchion has a frame supporting animal restraint mechanism which includes an enclosed latching and release mechanism and an enclosed lockout means capable of operating in various positions. The frame is comprised of relatively thin welded section materials providing strength and rigidity while retaining light weight. The animal restraint mechanism is comprised of a support bar attached to the frame and a rocker arm pivotally mounted on the support bar. The enclosed latching and release mechanism is mounted on the top of the frame and cooperates with the rocker arm to perform the cattle stanchion's free feed, self-catch, single release, and group release functions. The stanchion's lock-out function is performed by the lock-out means.

Abstract: A pivot arrangement for holding structural members, such as cattle stanchions, in pivotal engagement, with improved durability and wear resistance at the pivot point. In the stanchion (25) containing the pivot holes (36) and (37), an ultrahigh molecular weight, high density resin plastic insert (38) is positioned on the interior of the stanchion in the area surrounding the pivot holes (36) and (37). The resin insert has wear-resistant properties greater than the metal material from which the stanchion (25) is made. A pre-drilled bearing channel (42) in the plastic insert (38) is aligned to register concentrically with the pivot holes (36) and (36), and the plastic insert is secured in this position by dimples in the walls of the stanchion (25).

Abstract: An improved cattle stanchion has a frame supporting animal restraint mechanism having a moveable restraint wand and moveable wand support bar that cooperate in moving to various operative positions. The restraint wand is hinged between its ends to the knee of the support bar. The upper end of the restraint wand cooperates with a pin moveable in an arcuate slot in the upper horizontal frame, which slot pin may also be set by hand, and the upper end of the support bar is hinged in the upper frame while the bottom end of the bar is manipulated in an oscillating, dipping movement, controlled by movement of a bus bar that may be extended to control a long row of such sections. The upper end of the support bar may also be released manually to widen the space to release a downed cow. The positions may be set for free feed, self-catch, lock-out and various permutations by movement of a control for the bus bar, or manually.

Abstract: A herringbone feeding and milking stall is disclosed wherein a vertical feedbowl framework for each cow is rotatable between ingress, milking and egress positions and in so doing the ingress aisle is made wider in the ingress position, is made narrower in the milking position and urges the cow into the milking position and is made on intermediate width in the egress position.

Abstract: A latching, releasing and locking stanchion apparatus for cows and the like includes reciprocating operating bars and latching/release mechanism operated by the bars wherein the latching/release mechanism is supported completely independently of the operating bars and independently of the stanchion members. Relatively thin section materials are bent into the shapes desired and welded together to form an upper support structure having rigidity and strength while retaining light weight. Fixed, release and bracing stanchions are provided and are, appropriately, welded to a lower support at their bottom and the upper support at their top. The support structure is channel shaped and holds within itself the latching and release mechanism while the operating bars are carried externally to the channel. Self-catch, single release, delayed release, group release, lock-in, lock-out and non-catch features are provided. Manual release mechanism permits the removal of a stanchion member in an emergency situation.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a novel cow milking system which provides an adjustable width aisle having a milking side and a head side, a fixed fence disposed on the milking side, a moveable herring-bone fence adapted to move as an integral unit disposed on the head side and having stanchion means for engaging the shoulders of the cows and moving them back to a desired position; and means for moving the herring-bone fence that, in a preferred embodiment, is a plurality of links pivotally attached to the fence and to a plurality of fixed anchor points. Also, gate means to control the ingress and egress of the cows are provided.A novel feed dispensing means is also taught by the disclosure. There is provided a funnel for each cow stall, means of conveying the feed at a desired, measured rate from a source of feed to said funnels, a wheel with radial compartments for holding a measured amount of feed disposed in the funnel, and means for directing the feed into the compartments seriatim from the funnel.