Chute for immobilizing livestock

1. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted on a supporting surface comprising:

three-sided structure including a top portion connected to two laterally spaced apart side walls, each of said side walls extending downwardly from said top portion;

an entrance gate pivotably connected to one end of said structure, said entrance gate being movable between an open position for allowing entry into said structure and a closed position for blocking exit from said structure;

a retainer member pivotably connected to said entrance gate, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal, said retainer member being maintained under pressure against the rear portion of the animal;

an exit gate pivotably connected to the other end of said structure, said exit gate being movable between an open position allowing exit from said structure and a closed position blocking exit from said structure, said exit gate defining an opening wherein the head of an animal passes therethrough when the animal is position within said structure;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said structure; and

an arm assembly operatively connected to said structure for connection to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said structure between a horizontal position on the supporting surface and an upright vertical position adjacent the supporting surface, said structure being supported by said arm assembly in its upright vertical position above the ground in a free-standing position wherein no portion of the structure touches the ground.

2. The chute of claim 1 wherein said retainer member includes an elongated U-shaped arm member positioned and located on said entrance gate for engaging the thighs of the animal in an area approximately where the udder attaches to the torso of the animal when said retainer member is moved into engagement with the animal.

3. The chute of claim 1 wherein said retainer member is connected to a second fluid-operated cylinder assembly for selectively moving said retainer member into and out of engagement with the animal.

4. The chute of claim 1 wherein said exit gate further includes a stanchion member pivotably mounted on said exit gate, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening associated therewith whereby the head of the animal is immobilized with respect to said stanchion member.

5. The chute of claim 4 wherein said exit gate includes a pair of: first and second gates, said first gate being movable between an open and closed position and functioning as a headrest for the animal's head when moved to its open position, said second gate being movable between an open and closed position and including said movable stanchion member, said second gate mating with said first gate to define the opening therein when said first gate is in its open position and said second gate is in its closed position.

6. The chute of claim 1 further including:

at least one belly strap for further immobilizing the animal;

an elongated arm operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap; and

a third fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotably moving said elongated arm between a retracted position and an extended position, said at least one belly strap engaging the animal's midsection when in its extended position.

7. The chute of claim 1 wherein the supporting surface to which the chute is mounted includes a vehicle, the vehicle including a stabilizer assembly for further supporting the vehicle when said structure is pivotally rotated between its horizontal and veltical positions, said stabilizer assembly including two pivotally extending elongated stabilizer arms adapted for engagement with the ground.

8. The chute of claim 1 wherein said entrance gate includes a pair of first and second gates, said first and second gates being each movable between respective open and closed positions, said retainer member being pivotally connected to one of said first and second gates.

9. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted for rotation on a supporting surface, said chute comprising:

a frame structure including a top portion and two laterally spaced apart side walls configured to receive an animal when positioned therewithin;

an entrance gate pivotally connected to one end portion of said frame structure, said entrance gate being movable between an open position for allowing entry into said frame structure and a closed position for blocking exit from said frame structure;

a retainer member pivotally connected to said entrance gate, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said frame structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal, said retainer member including an elongated U-shaped arm member positioned and located on said entrance gate for engaging the thighs of the animal in an area approximately where the udder attaches to the torso of the animal, said retainer member applying a pre-determined pressure against the animal while in the frame structure;

an exit gate pivotally connected to the other end portion of said frame structure, said exit gate being movable between an open position allowing exit from said frame structure and a closed position blocking exit from said frame structure, said exit gate defining an opening wherein the head of an animal can pass therethrough when the animal is positioned within said frame structure, and a stanchion member pivotally mounted on said exit gate, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening associated with said exit gate and to engage the head and neck area of an animal positioned within said frame structure so as to immobilize the head and neck area of the animal with respect to said stanchion member;

at least one belly strap for further immobilizing the animal when positioned within said frame structure, and an elongated arm member operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap, said elongated arm member being pivotally movable between a retracted position wherein said at least one belly strap is not in engagement with the animal and an extended position wherein said at least one belly strap engages the animal's midsection;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said frame structure between a vertical upright position adjacent the supporting surface and a horizontal position on the supporting surface;

an arm assembly operatively connected to said frame structure for connecting to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said frame assembly between its vertical upright position and its horizontal position, said frame structure being supported by said arm assembly in its vertical upright position above ground level.

10. The chute of claim 9 wherein said retainer member is connected to a second fluid-operated cylinder assembly for selectively moving said retainer member into and out of engagement with an animal, said second fluid-operated cylinder assembly maintaining the pre-determined pressure against said retainer member for holding said retainer member in contact with and under pressure against the animal.

11. The chute of claim 9 wherein said stanchion member is connected to a third fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally moving said stanchion member to change the size of the opening associated with said exit gate.

12. The chute of claim 9 wherein said exit gate includes a pair of first and second gates, said first gate being movable between an open and closed position and functioning as a headrest for the animal's head and neck when moved into its open position, said second gate being movable between an open and closed position and including said movable stanchion member, said second gate mating with said first gate to define the opening therein when said first gate is in its open position and said second gate is in its closed position.

13. The chute of claim 9 wherein said elongated arm operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap is connected to a fourth fluid-operated cylinder assembly for selectively moving said at least one belly strap between its retracted and extended positions.

14. The chute of claim 9 wherein the supporting surface to which the chute is mounted includes the bed of a vehicle, the bed of the vehicle including a stabilizer assembly for further supporting the vehicle bed when said frame structure is pivotally rotated between its horizontal and vertical positions, said stabilizer assembly including two pivotally extending elongated stabilizer arms adapted for engagement with the ground.

15. The chute of claim 14 wherein said two pivotally extending stabilizer arms are each respectively connected to a fluid-operated cylinder assembly for extending and retracting said stabilizer arms into and out of engagement with the ground.

16. The chute of claim 9 wherein said entrance gate includes a pair of first and second gates, said first and second gates being each movable between respective open and closed positions, said retainer member being pivotally connected to one of said first and second gates.

17. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted for rotation to the bed of a vehicle, said chute comprising:

a frame structure including a top portion and two laterally spaced apart side walls configured to receive an animal when positioned therewithin;

an entrance gate connected to one end portion of said frame structure, said entrance gate including a pair of first and second entrance gates each movable between an open position for allowing entry into said frame structure and a closed position for blocking exit from said frame structure;

a retainer member connected to one of said first and second entrance gates, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said frame structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal, said retainer member being connected to a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for selectively moving said retainer member into and out of engagement with an animal;

an exit gate connected to the other end portion of said frame structure, said exit gate including a pair of first and second exit gates each movable between an open position allowing exit from said frame structure and a closed position blocking exit from said frame structure, said first exit gate being movable between its open and closed position and functioning as a headrest for the animal's head and neck when moved into its open position, said second exit gate being movable between its open and closed position and mating with said first exit gate to define an opening therein when said first exit gate is in its open position and said second exit gate is in its closed position, said opening allowing the head and neck of an animal to pass therethrough when the animal is positioned within said frame structure, and a stanchion member mounted on said second exit gate, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening and to engage the head and neck area of an animal positioned within said frame structure so as to immobilize the head and neck area of the animal with respect to said stanchion member, said stanchion member being connect to a second fluid-operated cylinder assembly for moving said stanchion member to change the size of said opening;

at least one belly strap for further immobilizing the animal when positioned within said frame structure, and an elongated arm member operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap, said elongated arm member being connected to a third fluid-operated cylinder assembly for selectively moving said at least one belly strap between a retracted position wherein said at least one belly strap is not in engagement with the animal and an extended position wherein said at least one belly strap engages the animal's midsection;

a fourth fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for rotating said frame structure between a vertical upright position adjacent the bed of a vehicle and a horizontal position on the bed of the vehicle; and

an arm assembly operatively connected to said frame structure for connecting to said fourth fluid-operated cylinder assembly for rotating said frame assembly between its vertical upright position and its horizontal position, said frame structure being supported by said arm assembly in its vertical upright position above ground level.

18. The chute of claim 17 wherein the bed of the vehicle to which the chute is mounted includes a stabilizer assembly for further supporting the vehicle bed when said frame structure is rotated between its horizontal and vertical positions, said stabilizer assembly including two pivotally extending elongated stabilizer arms adapted for engagement with the ground.

19. The chute of claim 18 wherein said two pivotally extending stabilizer arms are each respectively connected to a fluid-operated cylinder assembly for extending and retracting said stabilizer arms into and out of engagement with the ground.

20. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted on a supporting surface comprising:

a three-sided structure including a top portion connected to two laterally spaced apart side walls, each of said side walls extending downwardly from said top portion;

an entrance gate pivotably connected to one end of said structure, said entrance gate including a pair of first and second gates, said first and second gates being each movable between respective open and closed positions for allowing entry into and for blocking exit from said structure;

a retainer member pivotably connected to one of said first and second entrance gates, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal;

an exit gate pivotably connected to the other end of said structure, said exit gate being movable between an open position allowing exit from said structure and a closed position blocking exit from said structure, said exit gate defining an opening wherein the head of an animal passes therethrough when the animal is position within said structure;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said structure; and

an arm assembly operatively connected to said structure for connection to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said structure between a horizontal position on the supporting surface and an upright vertical position adjacent the supporting surface, said structure being supported by said arm assembly in its upright vertical position above the ground.

21. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted on a supporting surface comprising:

a three-sided structure including a top portion connected to two laterally spaced apart side walls, each of said side walls extending downwardly from said top portion;

an entrance gate pivotably connected to one end of said structure, said entrance gate being movable between an open position for allowing entry into said structure and a closed position for blocking exit from said structure;

a retainer member pivotably connected to said entrance gate, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal;

an exit gate pivotably connected to the other end of said structure, said exit gate including a pair of first and second gates, said first gate being movable between an open and a closed position and functioning as a headrest for the animal's head when moved to its open position, said second gate being movable between an open and a closed position and including a movable stanchion member, said second gate mating with said first gate to define an opening wherein the head of an animal passes therethrough when the animal is positioned within said structure and when said first gage is in its open position and said second gate is in its closed position, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening whereby the head of the animal is immobilized with respect to said stanchion member;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said structure; and

an arm assembly operatively connected to said structure for connection to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said structure between a horizontal position on the supporting surface and an upright vertical position adjacent the supporting surface, said structure being supported by said arm assembly in its upright vertical position above the ground.

22. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted for rotation on a supporting surface, said chute comprising:

a frame structure including a top portion and two laterally spaced apart side walls configured to receive an animal when positioned therewithin;

an entrance gate pivotally connected to one end portion of said frame structure, said entrance gate being movable between an open position for allowing entry into said frame structure and a closed position for blocking exit from said frame structure;

a retainer member pivotally connected to said entrance gate, said retainer member being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said frame structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal;

an exit gate pivotally connected to the other end portion of said frame structure, said exit gate including a pair of first and second gates, said first gate being movable between an open and a closed position and functioning as a headrest for the animal's head and neck when moved into its open position, said second gate being movable between an open and a closed position and including a movable stanchion member, said second gate mating with said first gate to define an opening therein when said first gate is in its open position and said second gate is in its closed position, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening associated with said exit gate and to engage the head and neck area of an animal positioned within said frame structure so as to immobilize the head and neck area of the animal with respect to said stanchion member;

at least one belly strap for further immobilizing the animal when positioned within said frame structure, and an elongated arm member operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap, said elongated arm member being pivotally movable between a retracted position wherein said at least one belly strap is not in engagement with the animal and an extended position wherein said at least one belly strap engages the animal's midsection;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said frame structure between a vertical upright position adjacent the supporting surface and a horizontal position on the supporting surface;

an arm assembly operatively connected to said frame structure for connecting to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said frame assembly between its vertical upright position and its horizontal position, said frame structure being supported by said arm assembly in its vertical upright position above ground level.

23. A chute for immobilizing an animal mounted for rotation on a supporting surface, said chute comprising:

a frame structure including a top portion and two laterally spaced apart side walls configured to receive an animal when positioned therewithin;

an entrance gate pivotally connected to one end portion of said frame structure for allowing entry into said frame structure, said entrance gate including a pair of first and second gates, said first and second gates being each movable between respective open and closed positions;

a retainer member pivotally connected to said entrance gate, said retainer member being pivotally connected to one of said first and second entrance gates and being selectively movable for engaging an animal positioned within said frame structure adjacent a rear portion of the animal;

an exit gate pivotally connected to the other end portion of said frame structure, said exit gate being movable between an open position allowing exit from said frame structure and a closed position blocking exit from said frame structure, said exit gate defining an opening wherein the head of an animal can pass therethrough when the animal is positioned within said frame structure, and a stanchion member pivotally mounted on said exit gate, said stanchion member being movable to change the size of the opening associated with said exit gate and to engage the head and neck area of an animal positioned within said frame structure so as to immobilize the head and neck area of the animal with respect to said stanchion member;

at least one belly strap for further immobilizing the animal when positioned within said frame structure, and an elongated arm member operatively coupled to said at least one belly strap, said elongated arm member being pivotally movable between a retracted position wherein said at least one belly strap is not in engagement with the animal and an extended position wherein said at least one belly strap engages the animal's midsection;

a first fluid-operated cylinder assembly adapted for pivotally rotating said frame structure between a vertical upright position adjacent the supporting surface and a horizontal position on the supporting surface;

an arm assembly operatively connected to said frame structure for connecting to said first fluid-operated cylinder assembly for pivotally rotating said frame assembly between its vertical upright position and its horizontal position, said frame structure being supported by said arm assembly in its vertical upright position above ground level.