Abstract: The milking apparatus includes a cluster (4) connected to a retraction line (10), and a cylinder (11) having a piston (13) being movable between first and second end positions. The piston acts on the retraction line to move the cluster to a retracted rest position when moved to the second end position, and to permit the cluster to be moved to an active milking position when the piston is in the first end position. A switch device (30) may alternate between a first state and a second state. The retraction line permits the switch device to change from the first state to the second state when a movement of the cluster from the retracted rest position is initiated. The switch device initiates in the second state supply of a pressurized medium to the cylinder to force the piston to the first end position.

Abstract: A positioning system for at least one flexible tubular element (5, 6, 9) connected to a cup-shaped member (4, 8) includes a control unit (14) which is arranged to estimate an individually adapted release length of the tubular element (5, 6, 9) in response to information from a sensing unit (12, 13a, 13b) arranged to sense a parameter allowing estimation of the position of a teat of an animal. The control unit (14) is also arranged to control the positioning mechanism to adjust the release length of the tubular element (5, 6, 9) to the estimated individually adapted release length.

Abstract: A milking machine cylinder comprising a flexible element and at least one sensor element which detects at least a substantial weight relief of the flexible element in order to trigger a start signal for a milking process.

Abstract: A rear milking cluster hose support arm for supporting a milking cluster hose in an existing milking system where milking is done from a rear of a cow includes a rubber bumper for supporting an existing cluster hose and a rectilinear rod. The apparatus further includes a rod holder and a selectively adjusting mechanism with a coupling nut, an air hose, a tee union adapter, and a flattened lever. A predetermined oscillating air pressure level is introduced into the cylinder from the existing air supply source to thereby raise and lower the coupling nut and articulate the lever about the rod to thereby adjust the position of the rod and the rubber bumper respectively during non-operating conditions.

Abstract: A device for supporting milk and/or vacuum conduits (3, 4) for a milking machine, including a rail (10) at least one dropper (20) supported for longitudinal movement along the rail (10). The dropper (20) has a locating element (41) to position milk and/or vacuum conduits (3, 4) when in use.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a method for carrying a milking member (1), which includes at least one teacup (3) and which is connected to a milking machine (5) via a flexible conduit member (6). A support element (10) is fixedly mounted in or at a milking box (13) arranged to receive an animal to be milked. An arm arrangement (9) is pivotably connected to the support element and arranged to support the milking member at least in connection with the application of the teacup to a teat of the animal. The arm arrangement is movable from a first position, in which the milking member is located beside the animal, to a second position, in which the milking member is located below the animal. The device includes a first part arranged to lock the milking member in relation to the arm arrangement in order to facilitate the application of the teacup to the teat.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking livestock, which apparatus has a milking box; a milking robot disposed close to or in the milking box; and a holder for receiving therein teat cups which during use are arranged on an animal for milking by the milking robot, and a holder for such an apparatus. The holder has a guard, a carriage with an engaging mechanism for engaging the teat cups and with a displacer for displacing the carriage between a first position, in which at least the teat cups are protected by the guard in the situation engaged by the carriage, and a second position, in which the teat cups are released for removal by the milking robot.

Abstract: The invention regards an apparatus for performing an animal related operation like milking or grooming, where the animal (9) is confined in a stall (8). In order to protect animals and equipment, it is so arranged that any breaking of the functions activates an activable state, which retracts devices (21; 10) from the region of confinement before the apparatus is allowed to finally stop.

Abstract: A milking equipment comprises a milking member (1) having teatcups (3) and a milk hose (4) connected to the milking member. A balancing device (6, 10, 11), which carries the milking member and at least a portion of the milk hose, is adjustable to an application position (FIG. 1), at which the balancing device is arranged to balance essentially the weight of the milking member and the weight of said portion of the milk hose in order to permit a milker to apply the teatcups to the teats of an animal without the need for the milker to carry the whole weight of the milking member. Furthermore, the balancing device is adjustable to a milking position, at which essentially the whole weight of the milking member acts on the teats of an animal when the teatcups are attached to the teats.

Abstract: A milking arrangement comprising a milking apparatus, having at least one teatcup (2) and a teatcup magazine (5) for holding the teatcup. The teatcup (2) has an opening through which a teat of an animal is introduced during the attachment of the teatcup to the teat. The teatcup magazine (5) comprises at least one first member (6) provided to receive the teatcup and a second member (7) provided to support the first member (6). The first member (6) is movably connected to the second member (7) between a first position, in which the teatcup (2) received by the first member has its opening turned substantially downwards, and a second position in which the teatcup (2) is received by the first member has its opening turned in direction substantially deviating from the downward direction.