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: 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: In a herringbone stall apparatus efficiency of operation is achieved by having the stall, the feeding equipment and individual gates for each stall carried by a single supporting and reciprocatable structure. The gates are split with unequal sections and all gates are opened at one time and closed at one time. Each cow exits through its own gate and all cows exit at the same time.

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.