Abstract: A safety latch mechanism for anchoring an open center gate in a livestock trailer includes a spring-biased post attached to the center gate's free edge having a lifting lever at an upper end. An arcuate track embedded within the truck bed traces the path of the center gate's free edge when moving between a fully opened and a fully closed position. The track includes a series of juxtaposed, segregated compartments for receiving a lower end of the post. Accordingly, the center gate can be locked in a multitude of angular positions between the fully open and fully closed positions by lifting the lever and releasing it into one of the compartments.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: A restraining pen for livestock is provided for humane, safe and efficient handling of livestock. A restraining or knocking pen is provided that has features for securely receiving an animal such that the animal may be subject to knocking or veterinary operations and subsequently released from the pen without danger to the animal or human operators. A novel design provides for a compact footprint of the pen and an economical use of space.

Abstract: A removable corral assembly for use in a livestock trailer which includes a plurality of interlocking livestock panels. The panels are in a substantial U-shape so when they are installed in the livestock trailer a left aisle and right aisle are formed with a middle or center aisle which is segregated. The worker stands in the center aisle and is protected from livestock being worked in the left and right aisles. A catch gate or squeeze chute may be associated with the corral assembly and positioned near the rear opening of the trailer in either the left or right aisle. Rollers, wheels or similar mechanisms are fastened to the panel assembly so that the corral can easily be rolled in to and out of a livestock trailer. Varying panel sizes may be used to adjust the overall dimensions of the corral assembly for installation in trailers having varying sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first compartment and a second compartment is disclosed through which livestock animals move. The first compartment includes a first extension that is horizontally extendable and retractable. The second compartment is vertically movable and includes a second extension that is horizontally extendable and retractable. A method includes positioning a first end of an apparatus proximate a doorway of a building that contains a plurality of livestock animals; extending a first extension to the doorway; positioning a vehicle proximate a second end of the apparatus; moving at least one of the livestock animals from the building and into a first compartment; moving the animal from the first compartment to a second compartment; vertically moving the second compartment to a level of a deck of the vehicle; extending a second extension to the deck; and moving the animal from the second compartment onto the vehicle deck.

Abstract: Water distribution systems and methods for continuously supplying drinking water to one or more shipping containers holding livestock throughout the duration of a shipment.

Abstract: The trailer apparatus of the present invention includes a frame suitable for holding and supporting a livestock implement from a position above the livestock implement and a pair of actuated wheel assemblies which can extend from a retracted position to an extended position to support the livestock implement for transport. Each wheel assembly includes an arm which has a proximate end and a distal end. Each arm of each wheel assembly is pivotably mounted to one of the side members at the proximate of the arm. Each arm of each wheel assembly has a wheel rotatably mounted to the distal end of the arm. An actuator connects between each side member of the frame and the arm of each wheel assembly. The actuators are configured and controlled to extend and retract the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle for livestock transportation has a self-supporting structure that forms a load compartment delimited by two opposite lateral walls, a front frame, a rear frame, a lower base, a roof, and a lift platform with a load base joined to guide pillars by mobile pieces that slide alongside the guide pillars. The guide pillars are fixed onto the rear frame. The load base has the capacity to slide vertically alongside the guide pillars, keeping a horizontal position during movement, and tilt with respect to joint points located in the mobile pieces.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating non-human quadruped mammals includes an enclosure having an interior within which the body of a mammal can be located. The enclosure has an opening through which the head of the mammal can pass so that the mammal's head can be located outside the enclosure when the mammal's body is inside the enclosure. The enclosure is sized to allow the mammal to stand normally on its four legs inside the enclosure during treatment, or to lie down inside the enclosure during treatment. The apparatus further includes a steam generator and an ozone generator or supply arranged to feed steam and ozone into the enclosure.

Abstract: A handle actuator for dropdown doors or closures includes a handle with a pivot connector at the top and an actuator rod at the bottom. Upper and lower housing are mounted on the door in a vertically aligned and spaced apart relationship. The upper housing has a pivot connector connected with the pivot connector on the handle, and the lower housing has a sleeve slidably receiving the actuator rod therein for reception. A pivoting actuator arm has opposite ends connected with the actuator rod and handle housing respectively, such that reciprocation of the actuator rod rotates the actuator arm. A connector has one end connected with the door latch, and the opposite end connected with the actuator arm, such that the door is shifted from the raised closed position to the lowered open position by grasping the handle, pulling the handle outwardly to release the door latch and manually pivoting the door about the bottom hinge to the lowered open position.

Abstract: A animal trailer with corral panels system for efficiently transporting and retaining fence panels on a trailer. The animal trailer with corral panels system includes a trailer, a plurality of rear brackets, front brackets and supports. The trailer can be any general horse trailer used for transporting horses or other animals. A first rear bracket and a second rear bracket are mounted on the sides of the trailer, rearward of the trailer wheel wells. A first front bracket and second front bracket are similarly mounted forward of the trailer wheel wells spaced accordingly from the rear brackets in order to receive the fence panels. A rear support and a front support are additionally mounted to the sides of the trailer, utilized with straps to secure the fence panels to the trailer.

Abstract: A cage is provided for holding and transporting livestock. The cage includes a door with a horizontal top rod that slides along a top member of a side grate when opening and closing the door. The cage also includes four lifting lugs to assist in the moving of the cages. Also provided is a method of loading livestock into such a cage.

Abstract: An animal management system provides an alley to control the handling of animals when procedures are to be performed on the animals by veterinarians or cattle producers. The alley is formed by a base frame, and included therewith are a headgate and preferably two wedge-shaped access doors rotatably mounted with the base frame. The headgate is movable between an entrapping position to a releasing position for an animal, and coordinated movement of the at least one access door ensures that a lead animal is properly positioned while other down line animals do not interfere with care given to, or procedures performed on, the lead animal in the headgate. Each access door allows convenient access for persons to the lead animal, and the selective use of one of two doors at a time facilitates the access to and movement of animals of different sizes in the alley.

Abstract: An animal transportation and tracking system for efficiently tracking and tracing livestock during transportation thereof. The inventive device includes a frame attached to a truck, a ramp attached to the frame that is extendable from the frame, a computer, a primary transceiver in communication with the computer, an animal transponder in communication with the primary transceiver, a secondary transceiver in communication with the computer, and a position localizer in communication with the secondary transceiver.

Abstract: A horse trailer having a cover plate releasably secured to a fender such that the cover plate will provide a shield extending downwardly from the fender to cover the wheel well area and wheels against pawing and kicking of horses tied to the side of the trailer and extending upwardly from the fender to provide a support for an animal feed trough.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transporting an animal container with a towing vehicle is disclosed. The animal container is rotatable about an axis from (1) an upright position disposed on a support surface, to (2) a tilted transportable position. The apparatus includes a tongue having a pivot end pivotally connected to the animal container and an opposite towing end selectively connectable to the towing vehicle. A stop is connected to the animal container, wherein when the animal container is in the upright position and the towing end of the tongue is pulled by the towing vehicle in a direction away from the animal container, the stop engages the support surface thereby enabling the rotation of the animal container about the axis.

Abstract: A cage is provided for holding and transporting livestock. The cage includes a door with a horizontal top rod that slides along a top member of a side grate when opening and closing the door. The cage also includes four lifting lugs to assist in the moving of the cages. Also provided is a method of loading livestock into such a cage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an animal transportation hand truck for travelers. The device features wheels on one end so that it can be rolled when tilted. The container in which the animal is to be carried depends from a support mechanism so that, being pulled in one direction by gravity, the container remains level when the rest of the device is tilted. Portions of the device can be removed or collapsed for greater mobility and convenience. A luggage compartment, retractable cover, a mount for pre-existing pet containers, shock absorbers, heater/air-conditioning unit, and other enhancements to the device are also disclosed. The device can be used to transport items other than pets that a user wishes to keep level during transportation.

Abstract: A horse trailer having a cover plate releasably secured to a fender such that the cover plate will provide a shield extending downwardly from the fender to cover the wheel well area and wheels against pawing and kicking of horses tied to the side of the trailer and extending upwardly from the fender to provide a support for an animal feed trough.

Abstract: A flexible, rotatable, removably detachable tie-out system configured to mount easily for set-up, adjustment, storage, and the like on horse trailers or other structures. The tie-out system includes a base. Coupled to the base is a receiver configured to both receive a connector and allow rotation of the same therein. The connector is coupled to a tie-out that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion configured to both allow substantially universal motion of the tie-out and dampen the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer or other structure, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out may be rotated and stored attached to or removed from a trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached tie-out may be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

Abstract: A cable includes a structural core and an outer layer having glow-in-the-dark properties. In an advantageous embodiment, there is provided a cable of coaxially laminated structure, which includes a structural core, an inner layer surrounding the structural core, and an outer layer, or “skin”, surrounding the inner layer and having glow-in-the-dark properties. The inner layer presents a light colored or reflective outer surface such that a major portion of incident light striking the surface is reflected back.

Abstract: A flexible and removably detachable tie-out and tie-out system are provided. The tie-out includes a rigid portion removably coupled to a flexible portion. The flexible portion allows total universal motion of the tie-out and absorbs the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out system includes a base. Secured to the base and set out by a spacer is a receiver that is adapted to receive a connector. The connector couples the receiver to the tie-out. The tie-out system may be mounted easily for set-up on horse trailers or other structures. The connector and tie-out can be left attached or removed from the trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached connector and tie-out can be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

Abstract: A flexible and removably detachable tie-out and tie-out system are provided. The tie-out includes a rigid portion removably coupled to a flexible portion. The flexible portion allows total universal motion of the tie-out and absorbs the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out system includes a base. Secured to the base and set out by a spacer is a receiver that is adapted to receive a connector. The connector couples the receiver to the tie-out. The tie-out system may be mounted easily for set-up on horse trailers or other structures. The connector and tie-out can be left attached or removed from the trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached connector and tie-out can be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

Abstract: An animal transporting system for easily loading, unloading, sorting, separating and transporting animals within an enclosed structure. The inventive device includes a frame attached to a truck, a ramp attached to the frame that is extendable from the frame, a pair of first doors pivotally attached to the frame adjacent the ramp, and a pair of second doors pivotally attached to the first doors. When the ramp is fully extended, the first doors and the second doors are extended from the frame along side the ramp for retaining animals being loaded and unloaded from the frame. The frame is formed for receiving one or more animals within having a plurality of partitions and inner doors. A side door and a rear door are positioned within the frame for allowing loading and unloading animals from heightened areas such as a dock or ground level with the use of a level loading attachment. A catwalk attached to the upper portion of the frame for allowing an individual to view the interior portion of the frame.

Abstract: A flexible and removably detachable tie-out and tie-out system are provided. The tie-out includes a rigid portion removably coupled to a flexible portion. The flexible portion allows total universal motion of the tie-out and absorbs the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out system includes a base. Secured to the base and set out by a spacer is a receiver that is adapted to receive a connector. The connector couples the receiver to the tie-out. The tie-out system may be mounted easily for set-up on horse trailers or other structures. The connector and tie-out can be left attached or removed from the trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached connector and tie-out can be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel collapsible pen that is used in combination with a widely available modular unit used in the shipping industry. The present invention is economical to use by virtue of the fact that the pen may be stored inexpensively in a minimum of space in a disassembled state, may be assembled quickly, and may be easily and readily disassembled to permit alternate uses of the modular freight unit. The present invention consists of a collapsible pen erected on a standardized rectangular platform which has at least one side open to the air. The pen is made up of modular panels. The panels are attached to the rectangular platform, and can be used alone or in combination with any side or end walls present on the rectangular platform to create an enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel collapsible pen that is used in combination with a widely available modular unit used in the shipping industry. The present invention is economical to use by virtue of the fact that the pen may be stored inexpensively in a minimum of space in a disassembled state, may be assembled quickly, and may be easily and readily disassembled to permit alternate uses of the modular freight unit. The present invention consists of a collapsible pen erected on a standardized rectangular platform which has at least one side open to the air. The pen is made up of modular panels. The panels are attached to the rectangular platform, and can be used alone or in combination with any side or end walls present on the rectangular platform to create an enclosure.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided that is capable of recovering, supporting and transporting sick or injured large animals in their natural upright position. The mobile apparatus having a telescoping boom associated with the support structure of the apparatus. The telescoping boom having a hoist associated therewith which is capable of lifting and holding a large animal in a vertical position.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided that is capable of recovering, supporting and transporting sick or injured large animals in their natural upright position. The mobile apparatus having a telescoping boom associated with the support structure of the apparatus. The telescoping boom having a hoist associated therewith which is capable of lifting and holding a large animal in a vertical position.