Rotary Platforms

Abstract

A rotary dairy cow milking platform that rotates about a rotational axis and has a plurality of pre-fabricated moulded bail floor defining modular components 1-10 and a supporting substructure 12, 13 14. Each modular component is detachable from the substructure and has been pre-formed independently of any components from the substructure. Each modular component is also totally or at least in part formed from a fibre reinforced resin based composite material. The modular components each have a mould defined rigid exoskeleton 34 wrapped about an inlay or an imbedded core 33 of another material moulded within the exoskeleton. The end peripheries of the modular components are substantially radially aligned with respect to the axis of rotation of the milking platform. Further, the modular components have been assembled onto the substructure to form a substantially annular deck of the milking platform.

Claims

1. A rotary dairy cow milking platform which rotates about a rotational axis, said platform comprising a plurality of pre-fabricated moulded bail floor defining modular components and a supporting substructure, wherein the modular components are detachable from the substructure and each has been: a) pre-formed independently of any components comprising or depending from the substructure, and b) totally or at least in part formed from a fibre reinforced resin based composite material, wherein each of said modular components has a mould defined rigid exoskeleton wrapped about an inlay or an imbedded core of another material moulded within the exoskeleton, each of said modular components having end peripheries substantially radially aligned with respect to the axis of rotation of the milking platform, the modular components having been assembled onto the substructure to form a substantially annular deck of the milking platform, and wherein: the composite material comprises fibreglass or other fibre reinforced plastics, or a polymeric system; and d) each modular component provides at least part of a floor for a plurality of cow milking bails.

2. The platform of claim 1, wherein each modular component has an inner and outer curved or facetted periphery.

3. The platform of claim 1, wherein the inlay or imbedded core comprises expanded foam and this has been placed in mould between glass fibre.

4. The platform of claim 3, wherein the glass fibre is in mat form.

5. The platform of claim 1, wherein each modular component has an upper surface recess into which a resilient matting material has been inserted.

6. The platform of claim 1, comprising inwardly and/or outwardly, a fringe not involving said modular components, but which nonetheless comprises an assembly or juxtapositioning of mouldings, wherein: (A) (i) the, or any, inward fringe covers plant and/or (ii) provides a walkway and/or (B) the, or any, outward fringe provides splash protection.

7. The platform of claim 1, wherein each of the modular components comprises multiple bails.

8. The platform of claim 1, wherein: a) each modular component has been formed by resin infused moulding; b) each modular component comprises a downwardly directed moulded rib; c) each modular component has an inner and outer curved or facetted periphery; d) the inlay or imbedded core comprises expanded plastics foam; e) the inlay or embedded core is between glass fibre mat; f) each modular component has a downwardly directed flange bolted to a like flange of an adjacent one of the modular components; and g) the substructure comprises a radial steel or alloy rib that runs on a roller on an annular rail.

9. The platform of claim 8, wherein each modular component has an upper surface recess into which a resilient matting material has been inserted.

10. The platform of claim 8, wherein the downwardly directed rib includes a mould provided set screw receiver that provides for attachment of the modular component to the substructure.

11. The platform of claim 8, wherein the inlay or imbedded core comprises polyurethane foam and such foam is between fibreglass mat.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0102] The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0103] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0104] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a annular milking platform made up by nine prefabricated and/or moulded components (for example each to define 6 bail areas) to provide, by way of example, a 54 bail annular platform,

[0105] FIG. 2 is a sectional view looking transverse of the radial support preferred I Beam of a platform as in FIG. 1,

[0106] FIG. 3 is a radial view of a section of a platform as in FIGS. 1 and 2, the I Beams being shown end on or in section and showing over the left hand I Beam a mating to the sub-frame structure of adjacent moulded omponents,

[0107] FIG. 4 is a view in a similar direction to that of FIG. 2 but rather than showing a section of the mouldings mid bail, instead showing the platform assembly at a point where a through platform port is shown and post members are supported directly or indirectly from the radial rib,

[0108] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the radial rib of an arrangement as in FIG. 4 showing plates fitted thereto which allows fitment of the moulded and other components thereto, and

[0109] FIG. 6 is a view in elevational section of a facility showing an exterior ramp to the platform or from the platform for entrance and exiting of animals and showing the relationship of the platform to a roof support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0110] FIG. 1 shows in plan an annular milking platform of 54 bails made up of modules 1 to 9 in series about the annulus. Each of the modules 1 through 9 defines 6 bails.

[0111] Other relationships between moulded modular components are nonetheless envisaged as typical examples can range from, say, 20 to 80 bails without necessarily being restricted thereto. Typical examples include as few as 26 bails. Other examples include and are not limited to 50, 54, 60, etc.

[0112] For some sizes there may be a desirability to provide two or more types of module that complement to the resulting annulus or substantially annular platform shape.

[0113] A preferred module 1 through 9 is preferably formed by resin (e.g. vinylester-epoxy ex-Nuplex) infused moulding (eg, fibreglass) that provides an exoskeleton and structural form about an expanded plastics foam form (or forms) previously placed in mould between glass fibre ravings, mats, textile, etc (e.g. multiple layers of matting such as of Kevlar (ARRAMAT), and double bias and/or biaxial glassfibre mats (e.g. Owens Corning, Dongil, or others)).

[0114] Any suitable surface coating geticoat (e.g. Nuplex) can be used. It is envisaged that whilst each module to be used as a module of the annulus can be in totality a composite material such as fibreglass there is an advantage when moulding such a material, particularly when using resin infusing techniques, to preload the tooling with not only the fibre reinforcement materials for the exoskeletal areas but to lay that about a filler or core material that not only reduces the resin quantities required to infuse about the fibres but also keeps the fibres appropriately positioned for the infusion process. Suitable fillers can be any suitable material rigid or flexible. A core or filler can be of one or more parts most preferably however it is a foam plastics material such as for example foamed polyurethane or foamed polystyrene.

[0115] The use of an appropriate choice as the filler or core reduces the weight of the overall moulding. A high density polyurethane foam is preferred. Preferably as a consequence of the use of a filler or core each bail floor area is preferably underlaid by such a core of material and has by way of example fibreglass above and below of sufficient thickness and strength not withstanding a preferred provision of a depression or placement of a rubber or elastomeric mat for the animals to stand on.

[0116] Preferably shapes vary but the platform may be substantially as shown in the attached drawings.

[0117] FIG. 2 shows, for a typical annulus, the moulded component 10 with an upper recess into which a matting material, for example reinforced natural or synthetic rubber, can be inserted. Such an arrangement is shown as 11A in FIG. 1. Whilst it can be in mould affixed, preferably to allow ease of replacement it is affixed post moulding.

[0118] As shown in the drawings, preferably each module 16 or 17 is provided with downwardly moulded ribs with mould provided receivers for set screws to allow attachment to the substructure eg, via flanges or brackets. These downwardly directed ribs which may include female threaded members therein as shown as 32 in FIG. 4.

[0119] The filler of foam plastics material is preferably that region of each module shown as 33 whilst the fiberglass is 34.

[0120] A person skilled in the art will appreciate how similar techniques can be used for the walkway providing modules 35. These modules 35 are preferably not used to extend the length of the milking position but rather to allow access to the head of the cow when in the milking condition.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 2, a radial steel or alloy rib 12 of the sub-frame structure is preferably able to run with roller 13 on an annular rail 14 and be confined to be supported thereby in a manner typical of the platforms of Waikato Milking Systems of Hamilton, New Zealand, as shown on their website www.waikatomilking.co.nz or as discussed in New Zealand patent specification NZ 551609 granted to Rotary Platforms NZ Limited, or with pinch rollers.

[0122] Shown inwardly of the moulded member 10 is a further moulded member 15 which can be used as an internal walkway, if desired, beyond the bail floor for milking.

[0123] FIG. 3 shows the radial ribs 12, a first module 16 and a second proximate module 17 fitted to be supported by such a sub-frame. Shown are alloy blocks 18, 19 and 20 imbedded in the composite mouldings so as to allow fixing by bolting to flanges 21 and 22 respectively. Examples of such flanges are shown in FIG. 5 with some flanges (eg, 23) being adapted to accommodate fitment of posts 24 whilst others, (eg, 25 and 26) being adapted to allow the bolting of an access port providing fitting 27 for a post 28. Such affording 27 serves much the same purpose as disclosed in aforementioned patent specification 551609 granted to Rotary Platforms Limited.

[0124] As can be seen in the drawings each module can have a downwardly directed flange 29 to allow bolting to a like flange of the adjacent module.

[0125] Provision can be made, for example, at 30 and 31 for post and/or post footing/port fitment.