Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing cattle with a horizontally oriented inside ladder and a horizontally oriented outside ladder that is parallel to the inside ladder. The inside ladder is configured to slide laterally relative to the outside ladder. The top rail of the inside ladder is parallel to and spaced apart from the top rail of the outside ladder, and the bottom rail of the inside ladder is parallel to and spaced apart from the bottom rail of the outside ladder. The inside and outside ladders each comprises a plurality of vertically oriented, equally spaced rods that extend from the top rail to the bottom rail. The proximal end of the inside ladder is attached to a hydraulic cylinder that slides the inside ladder laterally relative to the outside ladder.

Abstract: An animal stanchion having fixed stanchion structure and a pivotal release stanchion laterally spaced apart to define a head opening. The animal stanchion further comprises an upper top control rail which is configured to interact with a latch to selectively hold and release various portions of the pivot rod from connection with the latch. This device further comprises a plurality of individual locking brackets which are configured to interact with handle catch devices so as to hold various devices within their designated location within the device.

Abstract: The head gate element comprises a frame (1), a control bar (13), a movable bar (10) able to take three positions and receiving a locking fork joint (11) carrying a slide (15) guided in translation by means situated on the internal face of each of the plates (11a, 11b) of the fork joint (11).

Abstract: The head gate element comprises a frame (1), a movable bar (10) able to adopt three positions—open (O), closed (F) or released (D)—and receiving a locking fork joint (11), and a control bar (13) intended for locking the movable bar in the closed position. The control bar (13) is solid and comprises a transverse notch arranged so that a slide, carried by the locking fork joint (11), can fit therein when the movable bar (10) and the control bar (13) are in the closed position (F).

Abstract: A method for configuring a livestock stanchion between various orientations. The method includes providing a livestock restraining stanchion having two upright members that define a stanchion opening therebetween and through which an animal's head is insertable. A pivotal restraining member is positioned within the stanchion opening and is adaptable for restricting the size of the opening for releasably restraining an animal therein by entrapping the animal's head after insertion therein. At least one of the upright members is inwardly and outwardly movable relative to the other and oppositely positioned upright member for expanding and constricting a width of the stanchion opening. In one configuration, the movable upright member is positioned away from the opposite upright member into an expanded configuration thereby enlarging the width of the stanchion opening.

Abstract: An animal stanchion having fixed stanchion structure and a pivotal release stanchion laterally spaced apart to define a head opening and a latching mechanism which includes a first latch coupler attached to the fixed stanchion structure for receiving and releasably holding a second latch coupler and a control rod mounted adjacent to the first latch coupler for rotatable positioning to a first position to make contact with the second latch coupler at any point along the control rod's longitudinal axis to release it and to rotate to a second position to permit engagement of the second latch coupler with the first latch coupler.

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 stanchion comprising a frame having a substantially horizontal extending frame member and having first and second substantially vertical extending side frame members couples to the substantially horizontal extending frame member. The second substantially vertical extending side frame member is displaced generally longitudinally from the first substantially vertical extending side frame member and the frame members define one stanchion opening therebetween. A restraining member is disposed in the stanchion opening, the restraining member being pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between a first position with the restraining member extending diagonally across the stanchion opening and a second position with the restraining member having a substantially vertical orientation.

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: 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. Double latch fingers at the upper extremities of the release stanchions are engagable with notches carried by a rotatable and axially moveable positioner rod. An operating mechanism is actuable to move the positioner rod and engage the notches into and out of possible engagement with the latch fingers The arrangement gives the operator the capability of moving all of the release stanchions to closed positions to lock the animals in the feeding stalls, or allowing the animals 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 manually manipulatable to quickly and safely release downed cattle from individual feeding stalls.