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 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: Controlled vertically swinging exit gates for milking parlor stalls having resilient control devices for lowering the gates in a smooth and controlled manner and to stop jerking downward or upward movement of the gate upon opening and closing, comprising two horizontally movable pulleys fastened to a draw-bar which actuates opposing cables to smoothly control operation of the gates.

Abstract: An improved milking parlor construction is provided for barns of limited floor space, comprising the combination of a modular unit which comprises a module which may be utilized in fabricating milking parlors of the type wherein a central pit area has juxtapositioned on either side a cattle stand wherein each of the modules is composed of at least two space-apart, hollow vertical upright members that may be supported in concrete or the like and from each of which a feed bowl and shroud may be hung. The feed bowl is provided with feed from a feed conveyor superpositioned over the hollow vertical upright member and in communication therewith. In order to accommodate limited floor space considerations, the module also includes at least a pair of vertically raisable gates attached to the vertical upright members. A mechanism is provided for raising and lowering at least pairs of gates.

Abstract: An improved milking parlor construction comprising the combination of a modular unit which comprises a module which may be utilized in fabricating milking parlors of the type wherein a central milking pit area has juxtapositioned on either side a cattle stand wherein each of the modules is composed of a vertical upright member that may be supported in concrete or the like and from which a feed bowl and shroud and individual cattle feeding station gate may be hung. Superpositioned over the vertical upright, which is of hollow construction, is a feed conveyor having communication to the vertical upright member which has a feed chute terminating in the feed bowl by which feed may be fed to the feed bowl of each of the cattle stations. Means are utilized whereby one or plurality of the gates defining a captive station at which the cattle are milked and, incidentally fed, provides easy egress for the cattle to the exit corridor to leave the milking parlor structure.

Abstract: In stanchion constructions of the type used in feeding lots and/or milking parlors, it is desirable to be able to control the cattle stations as by locking the cattle in captive positions or, alternatively, having the cattle stations remain open to permit free feeding and the like.The herein disclosed invention employs simple mechanical expedients, not requiring expensive forming techniques and having simple structure such as an elongate bar or rod with simple abutments formed, if desired, by through bolts and nuts to cooperate with a simple latching member to provide the captive position at the cattle stations.The elongate member is supported for linear and radial or rotational movement, so as to permit selective positioning of the pivotal members making up the cattle receiving stations in a simple, expedient manner, requiring little, if any, maintenance and construction sophistication.

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 draw bar having spaced notches or slots wherein a locking member is pivotally secured to each of the swing pipes so that the individual swing pipes may be selectively opened or closed 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 downwardly extending radial arm having a hook-shaped end portion for engaging milk hoses is secured to a generally horizontal cow stall mounting rail by a self-lubricating ball and socket joint. The ball is secured to the mounting rail by a diametrically extending bolt either received through the mounting rail or through a sleeve around the rail. The socket member is formed of separable halves which upwardly clamp the ball and downwardly clamp an upper end of the support arm by a clamping bolt extending through the socket member halves.