Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for separating legs from poultry carcasses having a saddle-shaped carcass section with a pelvis, a lower portion of a vertebral column, and hip joints connecting the legs to the pelvis. The apparatus comprises a main conveyor defining a conveyance path and having shackles configured to hold the poultry carcasses by the legs to convey the carcasses along the path with the vertebral column in longitudinal direction. A guide member runs along the conveyance path between the main conveyor and the vertebral column and is configured to engage an inside contour of the pelvis and both legs along a substantial length of the legs. A support conveyor is positioned below the main conveyor and has a surface to engage the carcasses and move them along the conveyance path.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing poultry legs at the knee joint is described. The poultry legs consisting of an thigh and drumstick are suspended from the distal end of the drumstick by a conveyor and are received in recesses in a synchronously revolving supporting disc just above the knee joint. Guide rails above and below the supporting disc push the leg against a projecting edge at the base of the recesses and progressively bend the leg in the natural bending position while simultaneously lifting it until the supporting edge lies in the crook of the knee joint. This position is maintained by means of openings in the disc in which the thigh is blocked and by webs extending downwards from the trailing flank of the recesses which likewise prevent the thigh from twisting out of alignment. A cutting device then severs the joint at an angle which halves the bending angle of the leg.