Abstract: A fully automated, sensor-driven, catch system for a hydraulic livestock squeeze chute which includes a plurality of spaced-apart sensors positioned on the chute. One of the sensors is positioned just outwardly of the tail gate assembly of the chute and another sensor is positioned just inwardly of the tail gate assembly of the chute. A plurality of middle sensors are positioned between the tail gate and head gate assemblies of the chute. One of the sensors is positioned just inwardly of the head gate assembly and another sensor is positioned just outwardly of the head gate assembly. The sensors send signals to a control module which controls the hydraulic cylinders of the tail gate assembly, the side squeeze panels and the head gate assembly. The sensors sense the movement of the animal as it passes through the chute.

Abstract: A headgate including pair of upright frame members with a pair of weight members disposed therein which are connected to a pair of stanchions operable to move from an open position to a closed position by pivoting linkages. A release mechanism simultaneously releases the weight members from a first position such that gravity causes the weight members to move from the first position to a second position located at a lower height than the first position upon receiving a signal from a tripping mechanism which automatically detects the presence of an animal, wherein the release of the weight members causes the pair of stanchions to move from an open position, which allows an animal to pass therethrough, to a closed position, which causes the stanchions to close so as to confine the animal.

Abstract: Cow stanchion apparatus having a fixed support structure that carries a plurality of pairs of like double release stanchion bars which simultaneously swing towards and away from one another to control movement of cattle relative to such apparatus. The stanchion release bars are disposed in the path of vertically movable flaps which lock and unlock the stanchion release bars for relative swinging movement. The flaps are operatively connected to a positioner rod that is manipulated by a dairyman.

Abstract: Cow stanchion apparatus having a fixed support structure that carries a plurality of pairs of like double release stanchion bars which simultaneously swing towards and away from one another to control movement of cattle relative to such apparatus. The stanchion release bars are disposed in the path of vertically movable flaps which lock and unlock the stanchion release bars for relative swinging movement. The flaps are operatively connected to a positioner rod that is manipulated by a dairyman.

Abstract: Cow stanchion apparatus having a fixed support structure that carries a plurality of pairs of like double release stanchion bars which simultaneously swing towards and away from one another to control movement of cattle relative to such apparatus. The stanchion release bars are disposed in the path of vertically movable flaps which lock and unlock the stanchion release bars for relative swinging movement. The flaps are operatively connected to a positioner rod that is manipulated by a dairyman.

Abstract: Cow stanchion apparatus having a fixed support structure that carries a plurality of pairs of like double release stanchion bars which simultaneously swing towards and away from one another to control movement of cattle relative to such apparatus.

Abstract: Cattle stanchion apparatus in which a plurality of fixed and release stanchions define a row of head openings for animals, the release stanchions tending to pivot to open positions. A pair of latch fingers at the upper extremities of the release stanchions are engageable with locking pegs secured to a moveable positioner rod. An operating mechanism is actuable to move the positioner rod and engage the locking pegs into and out of possible engagement with the latch fingers. The arrangement give the dairyman the capability of moving all of the release stanchions to closed positions to lock the animals in the feeding stalls, or allowing the animal's individually to actuate the system to lock themselves in, or allowing the animals to enter and leave the stalls as they wish. The latch fingers are also manually manipulatable to quickly and safely release downed cattle from individual feeding stalls.

Abstract: In stanchions of the type used for milking and/or feeding but primarily the feeding of cattle, a stanchion structure having vertically-spaced upper and lower horizontal members with swing pipes defining spaced positions for accommodating cattle in spaced, captive relationship and having intermediate vertical support posts, an improved structure is provided employing an extending turn bar having spaced depending posts, detents, or tabs, wherein locking flipper members are pivotally secured to each of the swing pipes so that the individual swing pipes may be selectively opened either individually or in unison to permit free access or egress from the spaced, cattle positions by the cattle and wherein the locking mechanisms are protected by the swing pipe structure so as to inhibit opening of the locking mechanism by cattle. The invention is also directed to a conversion kit for existing stanchion structures to provide for the locking feature in a simple and economically feasible manner.

Abstract: A stanchion bumper is provided for use with a cattle stanchion having a head opening typically defined by a stationary, vertically-oriented stanchion and a pivotal release stanchion which, when tilted in one direction, enlarges the upper part of the opening so that the animal can insert its head through the opening, a closed position where the pivotal stanchion is vertical and defines a head opening through which an animal cannot withdraw its head, and a downed animal position wherein an enlarged lower opening exists so that a downed animal can withdraw its head. The stanchion bumper is positioned below the pivot point of the release stanchion, such that the lower portion of the release stanchion will engage the stanchion bumper when the animal inadvertently moves the release stanchion past the closed position toward the downed animal position.

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: A cattle stanchion which has posts (24) supporting a top and bottom rail (20) and (22) with spacing bars (26) in between. A number of head openings permit animal feeding through the stanchion. Each head opening includes a side bar (36) and a swing bar (46) which is supported by a pivot bar (38). The swing bar has a yoke (40) on the top aligning and retaining one end onto the top rail. A guide block (54) attached between the forked fingers (42) of the yoke slidably receives a floating locking latch (62) that interfaces with notches (72) in a drawbar positioned above the top rail. An optional lever arm (88) slides the drawbar from an open to a closed position fop each head opening and individual locking latches may be disengaged for sorting animals or if an animal is down. A rotating handle (84) permits the drawbar to be manually pivoted disengaging the locking latches from the notches providing a free feeding position for the stanchion.

Abstract: A control system for use with a self-locking pen paneling arrangement includes a series of retaining bars which are movable from a first access position to a first retaining position in response to downward movement of an animal's neck toward the feeding area. A movable locking member is mounted to each retaining bar, and is engageable with a latch member when the retaining member is in its first retaining position. A release mechanism is operable to disengage the locking member from the latch member to provide movement of the retaining bar to its first access position. If desired, the retaining bar can be moved to a second retaining position, distinct from the first retaining position, in which movement of the release mechanism does not disengage the locking member from the latch member. This "locks out" certain animals to prevent withdrawal from the feeding area, to enable the operator to dehorn, vaccinate or perform any other procedure, treatment or operation on the animal as necessary.

Abstract: A walk-through flat barn parlor comprises a number of modular stalls for managing dairy cows. Each module has a frame to which a pair of gates are mounted. The axes of rotation for the gates make compound angles with the vertical such that the gates are biased by gravity to rotate from a closed mode to a ready open mode. A control mechanism is actuated by a cable mechanism from a milking station to unlock the gates for automatic rotation by gravity from the closed mode to the ready open mode. A cow walks to the ready open gates and pushes them to the closed mode, where she is constrained for milking. After completion of milking, the farmer actuates the cable mechanism to unlock the gates and enable the cow to push them to an exit open mode. When the cow has cleared the gates, they automatically rotate by gravity back toward the closed mode. A pawl on a bar connecting the gates co-acts with the control mechanism to enable the gates to rotate past the closed mode all the way to the ready open mode.

Abstract: A cattle stanchion for restraining the head of an animal. The stanchion includes a coplanar frame having an upper frame member and a pair of side frame members depending from the upper frame member and defining one stanchion opening therebetween. A restraining bar disposed in the stanchion opening is pivotally mounted to one side frame member for movement between a first position with the restraining bar extending diagonally across the stanchion opening and a second position with the restraining bar having a substantially vertical orientation. The stanchion also includes a securement assembly for securing the restraining bar in the second position.

Abstract: An improved livestock handling apparatus and method include a frame mounted on wheels having a plurality of stanchions arranged in side-by-side relationship along sides thereof such that livestock can place their heads through the stanchions in a first position, and reach feed placed in troughs and bales placed on rails spaced interiorally to the apparatus. Locking mechanisms, each comprising a pivotally mounted latch abutting an upper end of a pivotable sidebar of each of the stanchions, automatically lock the sidebar in a second position such that an animal cannot pass its head into, or remove its head from, one of the stanchion. A deactivator, including an axially rotatable rod having nubs spaced therealong, interacts with the latches to deactivate the locking mechanisms such that the livestock can pass their head through and remove their head from the stanchions.