AU606504B2 - Jetting race - Google Patents

Description

I -L I 606504 S F Ref: 47587 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: PI6808 17 February 1988 Accepted: Published: C Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: Gordon Aladdin Campbell Hillside Gollan via Wellington New

AUSTRALIA

South Wales 2820 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: *1 Gordon Aladdin Campbell Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys, Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Jetting Race The following statement is a full description of this invention, including'the best method of performing it known to me/us 0 T"-1 1 -J21 8 ~2 5815/2 j j r

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lF JETTING RACE This invention relates to jetting races useful in the chemical treatment of sheep and other animals. Jetting races are known in which animals are forced to traverse, in single file, a longitudinal path between two parallel walls wherein the animals are either dipped in a bath containing appropriate chemicals or are drenched by hand or sprayed from overhead, body height and floor located jets or nozzles. In one known such arrangement a substantially circular pen is provided at the end of the aforesaid race, in which pen a group of animals may be trapped to be sprayed by an arrangement which includes rotating overhead sprays.

Recirculation of the expensive chemicals used in such spraying exercises is not common and where provided for is comparatively crude resulting in loss of chemical and difficulty in ensuring that dosage rates, the chemicals being dissolved in or carried by water, are maintained.

Further, portability of conventional races is either not provided or is unsophisticated.

It is an object of this invention to provide a jetting race which provides recirculation of used chemical. It is further an object of this invention in a preferred form to provide portability in such a jetting race.

This invention in one broad form provides a jetting race for animals comprising a pair of elongated substantially parallel side walls, defining a race having an entry end and an exit end, to be traversed by individual animals, a plurality of jets locatpd to afford spraying of an animal within said race, means located adjacent the entry end of said race activatable by an animal upon entry to said race to effect spraying of liquid through said jets, said means being further adapted to effect cessation of said spraying upon progress of said animal along said race towards said exit end; a sump located below said race to catch liquid flowing from said race; means to replenish said sump to maintain liquid therein, and means to pump said liquid from said sump to said jets.

It is preferred that the race of this invention be portable and to this end the preferred race is provided with a pair of wheels, one on either side of said race, said wheels being connected by a common axle. A towing ball is preferably also provided at the exit end of the race to allow ready connection of the race to the tow bar of a vehicle to permit relocation of the race.

One preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:- TCN/1022d 2 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the jetting race of this invention from the exit end; Fig. 2 is a perspective view (part broken away) of the race of this invention; Fig. 3 is a part longitudinal section view of the said race.

In the drawing, jetting race shown generally at 1 is provided with race walls 2, 3. At entry end 4 of race 1 is provided a spring loaded trigger board located between walls 2, 3 onto which an animal entering race 1 via ramp 5 (optionally provided) must tread.

The weight of the animal causes trigger board 4A to lower against the pressure of springs 6, 7. In so doing, vertical posts 8, 9 are vertically lowered and bar 10 is rotated. This rotation of bar 10 occasions simultaneous rotation of upright 11 and drawing of horizontal bar 12 V towards the exit end of race 1 to open valve 13 and allow liquid containing chemicals pumped from sump 20 to escape to jets located behind and below (jet 15), behind and above (jet 16) and to the sides (jets 17, 18) of the animal to spray the animal. A filter device (not shown) is located in the liquid feed line between the pump motor (not shown) and shut-off valve 13.

As the animal proceeds through race 1 past trigger board 4A, springs 6, 7 act to shut off valve 13 to cease spraying.

Liquid ejected from jets 15, 16, 17, 18 during a spraying operation, to the extent That it remains within the race, proceeds via grate 19 to sump 20. Grate 19 extends from the end of trigger board 4 to the exit end 21 of race 1. Graded filters (not shown) are located beneath double sided pivot cover 25 to catch wool, grass or other detritus incorporated in said liquid.

A reservoir 22 incorporating a cistern is located at one side of race 1 in communication with sump 20. This cistern is fed with chemical containing liquid to maintain liquid level in sump 20. An external pump (not shown) pumps the liquid from sump 20 to the spray mechanism above described.

A work platform 23 is provided at either side of race 1. At the exit end of race 1 there is provided a pivotted cover 25 which, when the race is in use is used to cover towing ball 26.

Race 1 also includes height adjustment jack 28 which is in communication with the ground through wheel 29. Adjustable vertical legs are provided to allow easy adjustment of race 1 to any terrain.

Further, race 1 is preferably provided with a pair of bars (not TCW/1022d -i -3shown) which extend lengthwise of the race and are adjustable one relative to each parallel side wall of the race, the bars being adapted to effectively alter the width of the race to accommodate animals of differing proportions.

The principal intended use of this invention is in the treatment of sheep to prevent blow fly strike. Mulesing is, by virtue of use of this apparatus, either avoided or substantially simplified.

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Claims (14)

1. A jetting race for animals comprising: a pair of elongated substantially parallel side walls defining a race having an entry end and an exit end, to be traversed by individual animals; a plurality of jets located to afford spraying of an animal within said race; means located adjacent the entry end of said race activatable by an animal upon entry to said race to effect spraying of liquid through said jets, said means being further adapted to effect cessation of said spraying upon progress of said animal along said race toward said exit end; a sump located below said race to catch liquid flowing from said race; means to replenish said sump to maintain liquid therein; and means to pump said liquid from said sump to said jets.

2. A jetting race as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one pair of wheels, one on either side of said race, said wheels being connected by a common axle, to render said race readily transportable.

3. A jetting race as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a towing ball provided at the exit end of said race to allow ready connection of the race to the tow bar of a vehicle to permit relocation of the race.

4. A jetting race as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a pivoted cover at the exit end of said race, said cover acting to cover said towing ball when said race is in use.

A jetting race as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a height adjustment jack, said jack being in communication with the ground through a further wheel.

6. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising an entry ramp located at said entry end of said race.

7. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said means to effect spraying of liquid comprises a spring-loaded trigger board acting through a system of levers to operate a shut-off valve by means of which flow of spray liquid is controlled, said valve being turned to an on position when the weight of an animal is applied to said trigger board, and turned off when said animal has passed said trigger board.

8. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said means to replenish said sump comprises a reservoir incorporating a cisten, said reservoir beirg in communication with said sump, said cistern being adapted to maintain liquid level in said sump. TCW/1022d

9. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said means to pump said liquid from said sump to said jets incorporates a filter device.

A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a graded filter located between a grating forming a floor of said race on the exit end side of said trigger board, and said sump, said filter acting to catch wool, grass or similar detritus incorporated in said spraying liquid after spraying of an animal in said race.

11. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a work platform at one or both sides of said race.

12. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising adjustable vertical legs by means of which the attitude of said race may be adapted to any terrain.

13. A jetting race as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a pair of bars extending lengthwise of the race S internally of said walls, said bars being adjustable one relative to each parallel side wall of said race, and adapted to effectively alter the width of said race to accommodate animals of differing proportions.

14. A jetting race as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings. DATED this FOURTEENTH day of FEBRUARY 1989 Gordon Aladdin Campbell Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON TCN/1022d