A hinge locking system is provided for locking pivotable hinge parts at a desired angular position relative to one another. The hinge locking system includes a locking pin, a plate with a locking pin receiver, a movable pin receiver defining an axial bore for receiving the locking pin, and a pair of spaced-apart limit stops along the plate. The movable pin receiver is movable relative to the plate, and the limit stops are selectively contacted by the movable pin receiver to limit the maximum relative movement of the movable pin receiver. When the axial bore of the movable pin receiver aligns with the plate's locking pin receiver, the locking pin is insertable through the locking pin receiver and the axial bore in the movable pin receiver, to thereby lock the movable pin receiver and the hinge parts against further movement.

A system for herding a group of animals includes a master autonomous vehicle including a controller, a camera in communication with the controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the master autonomous vehicle, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object to the autonomous vehicle in communication with the controller. The system further includes a plurality of client autonomous vehicles, each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles being operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a herding apparatus for keeping the group of animals between the master autonomous vehicle and each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles.

A robotically controlled system including a fence enclosure that can move and/or shape-shift itself autonomously and automatically without manual intervention. The system includes coils of electric fence wire that are spring-loaded or otherwise tensioned so that the length of electric fence wire between each post robot is able to contract or expand as the system of robots adapts to optimize the shape of the fence enclosure as the entire enclosure is moved by the robots around a field or other grazing pasture on an area of land.

A system for herding a group of animals includes a master autonomous vehicle including a controller, a camera in communication with the controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the master autonomous vehicle, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object to the autonomous vehicle in communication with the controller. The system further includes a plurality of client autonomous vehicles, each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles being operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a herding apparatus for keeping the group of animals between the master autonomous vehicle and each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles.

A livestock living quarter for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides livestock stalls and mangers inside the trailer. The living quarter includes at least one stall for a livestock animal, the stall defined by a chest wall, an interior wall, and a front wall set parallel to the interior wall. A second stall may be provided, with the interior wall of the first stall providing a divider wall between the first and second stalls, and acting as a front wall of the second stall. The stall divider may be pivotable to allow for entry of a livestock animal into the stall. A manger is disposed in front of the stall for storage of feed that is accessible to the livestock animal in the stall. Optionally, a water trough is accessible at the manger, and other spaces may provide living quarters or facilities for an operator.

A portable electric fence system including a fence assembly having at least one multi-post, at least one step-in post, a reel and an electric gate. The fence assembly comprises in a series, the at least one step-in post with the at least one multi-post being positioned at corner-portions of a temporary electrified perimeter fenced area. The bottom-end of the at least one multi-post and the at least one step-in post are configured to be inserted into a ground surface. Poly-wire is strung through and supported by a series of reels. The reel is battery powered and configured to reel in the poly-wire. The at least one multi-post, the at least one step-in post, the reel, and the electric gate are configured to be used in combination to define a temporary electrified perimeter fenced area for retaining livestock.

A transportable corral includes a plurality of fence panels that are hinged to each other in an end to end manner, manually releasable fence panel latches that are mounted to the fence panels and are arranged to engage and latch together adjacent fence panels so that the plurality of fence panels are able to be folded into a compact fence panel set to facilitate transport. Retractable wheel assemblies that are mounted to the fence panels to facilitate movement of a fence panel set or to facilitate the movement of an individual fence panel.

An element-shielding device includes a first rod including a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod. The barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod. An element-shielding system includes a plurality of element-shielding devices.

A livestock living quarter for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides livestock stalls and mangers inside the trailer. The living quarter includes at least one stall for a livestock animal, the stall defined by a chest wall, an interior wall, and a front wall set parallel to the interior wall. A second stall may be provided, with the interior wall of the first stall providing a divider wall between the first and second stalls, and acting as a front wall of the second stall. The stall divider may be pivotable to allow for entry of a livestock animal into the stall. A manger is disposed in front of the stall for storage of feed that is accessible to the livestock animal in the stall. Optionally, a water trough is accessible at the manger, and other spaces may provide living quarters or facilities for an operator.

A portable livestock corral is configured to be operably attached to a vehicle for advancement in a forward direction. The portable livestock corral includes a wheeled chassis and opposed sets of corral panels. The wheeled chassis includes an elongated corral frame and a ground-engaging transport wheel operable to support the corral frame above ground. The corral frame includes a spine extending longitudinally along the forward direction and at least partly defining opposed storage areas to receive corresponding corral panels, with the transport wheel being longitudinally spaced from the storage areas. The corral panels are positioned to extend longitudinally along respective sides of the spine in a stored condition.