HEADLOCK TYPE BARRIER
20230329189 · 2023-10-19
Inventors
Cpc classification
A01K1/0613
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
Disclosed is a headlock-type barrier including: an upper pole and a lower pole; a pair of vertical uprights connected to the lower pole and to the upper pole so as to define a frame; a swing arm which pivots relative to the frame about a first transverse axis, the swing arm including an arm and a fork which is integral with an upper end of the arm, the fork including a pair of prongs arranged transversely one on either side of the upper pole, the swing arm including a rod rigidly connected to each of the prongs, the rod being arranged above the upper pole; a locking mechanism including a plate fixed to the upper pole and on which are hinged a first and a second stop wedge between a deployed position and a retracted position.
Claims
1. Headlock-type barrier comprising: a. an upper pole and a lower pole each extending in a longitudinal direction; b. a pair of vertical uprights each connected to the lower pole and to the upper pole so as to define a frame, c. a swing arm mounted so as to pivot relative to the frame about a first transverse axis, the swing arm comprising an arm and a fork which is integral with an upper end of the arm, the fork comprising a pair of prongs arranged one on either side of the upper pole in the transverse direction, the swing arm further comprising a rod rigidly connected to each of the prongs of the fork, the rod being arranged above the upper pole in the vertical direction, d. a locking mechanism comprising a plate fixed to the upper pole and on which are hinged a first stop wedge and a second stop wedge between a deployed position in which the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge are adapted to cooperate with the rod of the swing arm in order to block the pivoting of the swing arm about the first transverse axis in a locking position relative to the frame, and a retracted position in which the swing arm can pivot freely about the first transverse axis relative to the frame, e. a control member adapted to move the first stop wedge and/or the second stop wedge from the deployed position to the retracted position.
2. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge are hinged so as to pivot relative to the plate, respectively about a second transverse axis and a third transverse axis.
3. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first stop wedge and/or the second stop wedge are each adapted to be moved from the deployed position to the retracted position under the effect of the pivoting of the swing arm towards the locking position.
4. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first stop wedge cooperates with the second stop wedge so that a movement of the first stop wedge from the deployed position to the retracted position causes a movement of the second stop wedge from the deployed position to the retracted position.
5. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises means adapted to ensure a return of the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge to the deployed position.
6. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 5, wherein said means comprise elastic means.
7. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the control member comprises a collective unlocking control which comprises a bar extending parallel to the upper pole, the bar being arranged, in the vertical direction, between the upper pole and the rod of the swing arm, and wherein a rotation of the bar about the bar's axis of extension causes the first stop wedge and/or the second stop wedge to move from the deployed position to the retracted position.
8. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an individual unlocking control which comprises at least one push-button shaped to move one among the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge from the deployed position to the retracted position.
9. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 8, wherein the control member comprises a collective unlocking control which comprises a bar extending parallel to the upper pole, the bar being arranged, in the vertical direction, between the upper pole and the rod of the swing arm, and wherein a rotation of the bar about the bar's axis of extension causes the first stop wedge and/or the second stop wedge to move from the deployed position to the retracted position, and wherein the control member comprises a connecting member mounted so as to pivot relative to the plate about a fourth transverse axis, the connecting member being interposed between the bar and one among the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge on the one hand, and between the push-button and said stop wedge in question among the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge on the other hand.
10. The headlock-type barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first stop wedge and the second stop wedge are each made of plastic.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0050] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the appended drawings, in which:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] Reference is now made to
[0063] As above, in the following description the longitudinal direction X means the direction in which upper pole 11 and lower pole 12 extend. The vertical direction Z corresponds to the direction of the Earth's gravity field. Vertical direction Z is perpendicular to longitudinal direction X. Lastly, transverse direction Y corresponds to a direction perpendicular to longitudinal direction X and to vertical direction Z. In addition, the absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms “top”, “bottom”, etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., and the orientation qualifiers, such as the terms “vertical” and “horizontal”, are in reference to vertical direction Z as defined and, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures.
[0064] Barrier 10 comprises a first vertical upright 13a and a second vertical upright 13b each extending in vertical direction Z. The vertical uprights are each connected to lower pole 12 and to upper pole 11. Lower pole 12, upper pole 11, and the pair of vertical uprights 13a, 13b thus define a frame. Barrier 10 further comprises an angled bar 14 extending within the plane of barrier 10 inside the frame. Angled bar 14 is fixed relative to the frame. Here, a lower end of angled bar 14 is connected to lower pole 12 and an upper end of angled bar 14 is connected to second vertical upright 13b. Alternatively, the lower end of angled bar 14 can be connected to second vertical upright 13b and/or the upper end of angled bar 14 can be connected to upper pole 11.
[0065] Barrier 10 also comprises a swing arm 20. Swing arm 20 comprises a tubular arm 21 and a fork 22. Fork 22 is integral with an upper end of arm 21. Fork 22 comprises a pair of prongs 23 arranged one on either side of upper pole 11 in transverse direction Y. In other words, upper pole 11 is arranged, in transverse direction Y, between prongs 23 of fork 22 of swing arm 20. Swing arm 20 further comprises a rod 24 extending transversely between prongs 23 of fork 22. Rod 24 is rigidly connected to each of prongs 23 of fork 22. As shown in
[0066] Swing arm 20 is mounted so as to pivot relative to the frame about a first transverse axis Y1. In particular, arm 21 of swing arm 20 is hinged here so as to pivot about the first transverse axis Y1 relative to a base which is integral with angled bar 14. Consequently, when swing arm 20 pivots, rod 24 of swing arm 20 has a path which forms an arc of a circle around first transverse axis Y1. Swing arm 20 can in particular pivot between an open position O allowing the passage of an animal's head in an upper part of the frame and a release position D allowing the animal to access a trough to feed and/or to withdraw its head through a lower part of the frame. In other words, in the open position O, swing arm 20 is in a position such that a lower part of arm 21 of swing arm 20 obstructs the lower part of the frame. The passage of an animal's head through the frame is then only permitted in the upper part of the frame, longitudinally between an upper part of arm 21 of swing arm 20 and the first vertical upright 13a. In the release position D, swing arm 20 is in a position such that an upper part of arm 21 of swing arm 20 obstructs the upper part of the frame. The passage of an animal's head through the frame is then only permitted in the lower part of the frame, longitudinally between a lower part of arm 21 of swing arm 20 and the first vertical upright 13a.
[0067] The ability to lock swing arm 20 in a locking position F is further provided. In locking position F, arm 21 of swing arm 20 extends here in vertical direction Z. Thus, in the locking position, arm 21 of swing arm 20 forms, with first vertical upright 13a, a passage whose spacing, in longitudinal direction X, is identical over the entire vertical dimension of the frame. This defines a closed position, which allows either denying an animal access through the frame, or hobbling the animal by the neck.
[0068] To achieve this, barrier 10 comprises a locking mechanism 30. Locking mechanism 30 comprises a plate 31 fixed to upper pole 11. Plate 31 is in the form of a housing defining an interior volume. Plate 31 comprises a first flange 31a and a second flange 31b which are assembled together in transverse direction Y, for example by screwing, riveting, gluing, or interlocking. Plate 31 is arranged transversely between two longitudinal walls 15 of barrier 10, which are integral with upper pole 11. Each flange 31a, 31b of plate 31 is fixed to a respective longitudinal wall 15, for example by bolting, screwing, riveting, or gluing. Finally, the circular path of rod 24 about first transverse axis Y1 circles around plate 31.
[0069] The locking mechanism is more particularly visible in
[0070] As shown in
[0071] In the retracted position, visible in
[0072] First stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b are each adapted to be moved from the deployed position to the retracted position under the effect of the pivoting of swing arm 20 towards the locking position, respectively in second direction S2 for stop wedge 40a and in first direction S1 for stop wedge 40b. This allows automatically moving first stop wedge 40a and/or second stop wedge 40b out of the way. Rod 24 of swing arm 20 can thus be brought to cooperate with first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b without it being necessary to act directly and manually on locking mechanism 30. Locking swing arm 20 is therefore easy and fast. In addition, the risk of injury to a human operator is avoided. To achieve this, upper face 42 of first stop wedge 40a and of second stop wedge 40b are each shaped so that the bearing of rod 24 of swing arm 20 against the upper face 42 in question during its pivoting of swing arm 20 towards the locking position is capable of moving respective stop wedge 40a, 40b from the deployed position to the retracted position. To achieve this, upper face 42 of each stop wedge 40a, 40b is here inclined relative to longitudinal direction X. When swing arm 20 pivots about first transverse axis Y1 towards the locking position, rod 24 presses on upper face 42 of first stop wedge 40a in its deployed position or on upper face 42 of second stop wedge 40b in its deployed position, in direction S1, S2 of rotation of swing arm 20 about first transverse axis Y1 so as to drive the stop wedge 40a, 40b concerned, by ramp effect, to rotate respectively about second transverse axis Y2 or third transverse axis Y3.
[0073] The free space formed between first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b in their deployed position can have a dimension d1 measured in longitudinal direction X enabling each stop wedge 40a, 40b to pivot between the deployed position and the retracted position when rod 24 of swing arm 20 is received in the free space. A pinching of rod 24 of swing arm 20 is thus avoided when each stop wedge 40a, 40b pivots from the deployed position to the retracted position, which would cause locking mechanism 30 to jam.
[0074] Locking mechanism 30 further comprises means adapted to ensure a return of first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b to the deployed position. Thus, first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b are each adapted to be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position when swing arm 20 is in the locking position. This allows robust locking of swing arm 20 and automatic return of first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b to their deployed position. In the absence of external stresses applied to first stop wedge 40a and to second stop wedge 40b, these means also ensure that first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b are maintained in their deployed position. In the example shown, these are elastic means. Elastic means are an economical and reliable solution for returning first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b to the deployed position. However, it is not excluded that other types of means are provided, for example motorized means suitable for driving each stop wedge 40a, 40b about its respective transverse axis of rotation.
[0075] The elastic means comprise a first torsion spring 60 and a second torsion spring 60. First torsion spring 60 is interposed between a first transverse appendage of plate 31 and a tab 45 of first stop wedge 40a. Second torsion spring 60 is interposed between a second transverse appendage of plate 31 and a tab 45 of second stop wedge 40b. First torsion spring 60 and second torsion spring 60 are arranged inside the interior volume defined by plate 31.
[0076] To maintain first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b in their deployed position under the action of the elastic means, provision may be made for first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b to be in abutment against an inner face of plate 31. To achieve this, here each stop wedge 40a, 40b comprises two lugs 44, of which one is visible for each stop wedge 40a, 40b in
[0077] Reference is now made to
[0078] In the configuration of
[0079] In the configuration shown in
[0080] Finally, in the configuration of
[0081] As is more particularly visible in
[0082] A barrier 10 as described above provides robust locking of swing arm 20 relative to the frame. In particular, fork 22 of swing arm 20 is devoid of any movable or sliding element necessary for locking swing arm 20. Also, the risks of obstruction or clogging of locking mechanism 30, due to residues, are reduced or even prevented. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows the passage of rod 24 to secure prongs 23 of fork 22, thus permitting increased mechanical strength of prongs 23 of fork 22 relative to each other.
[0083] Finally, with reference to
[0084] The control member here comprises a collective unlocking control and an individual unlocking control. The collective unlocking control and the individual unlocking control are independent of each other and each allows controlling first stop wedge 40a and second stop wedge 40b from the deployed position to the retracted position.
[0085] The control member also comprises a connecting member 51 mounted so as to pivot relative to plate 31 about a fourth transverse axis Y4. Connecting member 51 is interposed between the collective unlocking control and first stop wedge 40a on the one hand, and between the individual unlocking control and first stop wedge 40a on the other hand. Connecting member 51 is arranged inside the interior volume defined by plate 31.
[0086] Connecting member 51 cooperates with first stop wedge 40a such that a rotation of connecting member 51 about fourth transverse axis Y4 in a first direction S1′ causes a rotation of first stop wedge 40a about second transverse axis Y2 from the deployed position to the retracted position. To this end, connecting member 51 bears against a bearing wall 48 of first stop wedge 40a, in particular on a lower face of bearing wall 48.
[0087] The collective unlocking control comprises a bar 52 extending longitudinally along a third transverse axis Y3. The unlocking control also comprises a cam 53 fixedly mounted on bar 52 so as to rotate about third longitudinal axis X3. To achieve this, bar 52 has a square-shaped cross-section and cam 53 has a hole 53a traversed by bar 52, hole 53a having a shape suitable to be associated with bar 52 due to complementary shapes and to allow connecting bar 52 and cam 53 to be integral in rotation about third longitudinal axis X3. Here, hole 53a of cam 53 is also square in shape.
[0088] As shown in
[0089] Thus, by means of the arrangement of the collective unlocking control, a rotation of bar 52 about third longitudinal axis X3 controls a rotation of first stop wedge 40a about second transverse axis Y2 from the deployed position to the retracted position. The cooperation between cam 53 and the control member is such that first stop wedge 40a is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position by a rotation of bar 52, about third longitudinal axis X3 over an angular sector equal to 45°. Rotation of bar 52 over a small angular sector allows easy use of bar 52 by an operator of barrier 10.
[0090] Advantageously, bar 52 is not exposed to the forces induced by an animal on swing arm 20. In addition, bar 52 only undergoes torsional forces. In particular, the bar 52 does not undergo any bending force and does not undergo any cantilever force.
[0091] Bar 52 traverses plate 31 of locking mechanism 30 from one end to the other in longitudinal direction X. Bar 52 can thus extend longitudinally over the entire length of upper pole 11 so as to allow simultaneous control of a plurality of locking mechanisms carried by upper pole 11.
[0092] Bar 52 is also arranged, in vertical direction Z, between upper pole 11 and rod 24 of swing arm 20. Such an arrangement allows bar 52 to be placed as close as possible to upper pole 11 in vertical direction Z. In other words, this allows reducing the spacing el between first longitudinal axis X1 and third longitudinal axis X3, which reduces the space occupied by the arrangement.
[0093] The individual unlocking control comprises a push-button 54. Push-button 54 extends in longitudinal direction X. Push-button 54 cooperates with connecting member 51 so that a translational movement of push-button 54 in longitudinal direction X along a first direction S1′″ of translation causes rotation of connecting member 51 about fourth transverse axis Y4 in first direction S1′. To achieve this, push-button 54 bears, in longitudinal direction X, against connecting member 51 at a distance from fourth transverse axis Y4 in vertical direction Z. Moreover, push-button 54 extends partly outside plate 31 so as to be accessible to a human operator by using his hand or by using a pitchfork handle or any other tool. Indeed, the pitchfork handle or any other tool can be slid on bar 52 to strike push-button 54 and thus cause retraction of first stop wedge 40a. Plate 31 has a hole on one side face, which is traversed by push-button 54. The individual unlocking control allows selectively unlocking a locking mechanism 30, in particular when barrier 10 comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms carried by upper pole 11.
[0094] The control member is described above as an example. Provision may be made for selective or grouped control, possibly actuated remotely. It is not excluded to provide another type of control member. For example, according to a variant embodiment, a control member may be provided which is arranged to allow motorization in which the kinematics concern translational and/or rotational movement.