Movable supporting device for milking apparatus
First Claim
1. A movable supporting device for milking apparatus having a milking claw, said device comprising:
- a stationary support column;
a first pivot means having a collar portion and a plate portion;
a first arm having one end connected to said plate portion of said first pivot means so that said first arm pivots about a first predetermined axis;
a second pivot means connected to the other end of said first arm;
additional arm means having one end receiving and supporting said milking claw and the other end connected to said second pivot means to that said additional arm means pivots about a second predetermined axis that is substantially normal to said first predetermined axis regardless of movement of said first arm; and
actuating means connected with said first and additional arms to control movement of the arms in at least one direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A movable supporting device is disclosed for milking apparatus that includes a plurality of arms that are readily movable to position a claw during milking of a cow. A pair of spaced support arms are connected between vertically spaced pivots and the spaced arms have an angularly positioned spring therebetween. The two spaced arms are equal in length and joined to the pivots so that a pair of linking arms joined by an additional pivot are maintained horizontal regardless of the movement of the arms. In addition, a locking mechanism is shown connected adjacent to the vertically spaced pivots for locking the spaced arms in position when desired. A second pair of spaced support arms may also be utilized between the first pair of spaced arms and the linking arms. The milking claw is attached to the free end of the outer linking arm and since the device is movable in both horizontal and vertical axes, the claw can be readily moved as needed to facilitate milking of a cow. An automatic retraction device is also disclosed wherein hydraulic cylinders are utilized to move the arms upwardly and to rotate and fold the same with the upward movement being initially limited after a predetermined distance until the rotational and folding movement has progressed a predetermined distance.
39 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A movable supporting device for milking apparatus having a milking claw, said device comprising:
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a stationary support column; a first pivot means having a collar portion and a plate portion; a first arm having one end connected to said plate portion of said first pivot means so that said first arm pivots about a first predetermined axis; a second pivot means connected to the other end of said first arm; additional arm means having one end receiving and supporting said milking claw and the other end connected to said second pivot means to that said additional arm means pivots about a second predetermined axis that is substantially normal to said first predetermined axis regardless of movement of said first arm; and actuating means connected with said first and additional arms to control movement of the arms in at least one direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A movable supporting device for milking apparatus having a milking claw, said device comprising:
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a vertical support column; a first pivot means including a collar surrounding said support column and a vertically positioned plate unit attached thereto; a pair of parallel spaced arms one end of each of which is connected to said plate unit to pivot about horizontal axes; a spring angularly connected between said parallel arms; a second pivot means connected to the other end of each of said parallel arms; a third arm one end of which is connected to said second pivot means so that said third arm is horizontally disposed; a fourth arm one end of which supports said milking claw; and a third pivot means connected between said third and fourth arms so that said fourth arm is horizontally disposed;
said third and fourth arms being maintained in said horizontally disposed position regardless of movement of said parallel arms. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A movable supporting and automatic retraction device for milking apparatus having a milking claw, said device comprising:
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stationary support means; first pivot means mounted on said stationary support means; first movable means including a pair of spaced arms connected at one end to said pivot means; second pivot means connected to the other end of said spaced arms; linking arm means having one end connected with said second pivot means and the other end receiving and supporting said milking claw whereby said apparatus may be readily moved; first actuating means for causing said first movable means to be moved in a first predetermined direction; and second actuating means for causing said first movable means and said linking arm means to be moved in a second predetermined direction substantially normal to said first predetermined direction whereby when actuated said first and second actuating means cause said arms to be automatically retracted. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A movable supporting and automatic retraction device for milking apparatus, said device comprising:
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stationary support means; first pivot means mounted on said stationary support means; first movable means including a pair of spaced arms connected at one end to said pivot means; second pivot means connected to the other end of said spaced arms; linking arm means having one end connected with said pivot means and the other end adapted to receive and support predetermined milking apparatus whereby said apparatus may be readily moved; first actuating means for causing said first movable means to be moved in a first predetermined direction;
second actuating means for causing said first movable means and said linking arms means to be moved in a second predetermined direction substantially normal to said first predetermined direction whereby when actuated said first and second actuating means cause said arms to be automatically retracted; andmeans for limiting movement in said first predetermined direction until a predetermined amount of movement has occurred in said second predetermined direction, said limiting movement means including a rod actuated by said movement in said first predetermined direction and a cam mechanism for causing the resumption of said movement in said first predetermined direction after predetermined movement has occurred in said second predetermined direction. pg,32 - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A movable supporting and automatic retraction device for milking apparatus having a milking claw, said device comprising:
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a vertical support column; a first pivot means including a collar surrounding said support column and a vertical plate unit attached thereto; a pair of parallel spaced arms one end of each of which is connected to said plate to pivot about vertical axes; a spring angularly connected between said parallel arms; a second pivot means connected to the other end of each of said parallel arms; a third arm one end of which is connected to said second pivot means; a fourth arm one end of which supports said milking claw; a third pivot means connected between said third and fourth arms with said third and fourth arms being maintained in a horizontal position regardless of movement of said parallel arms; a first hydraulic cylinder for causing said arms to be moved upwardly in a vertical direction when said first hydraulic cylinder is actuated; a second hydraulic cylinder connected with one of said arms to cause said arms to be rotated about a horizontal axis when said second hydraulic cylinder is actuated; and limiting means for limited upward vertical movement of said arms after a predetermined amount of movement has occurred until after a predetermined amount of rotational movement has occurred whereby when said hydraulic cylinders are actuated said arms of said device are automatically lifted and retracted in a predetermined manner. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification