Chute Safety System and Method of Use
Patent Number: US 11968957 Grant Date: 2024-04-30 Filing Date: 2022-03-25
Overview
This patent describes a mechanically robust chute safety system that automatically closes a rear gate behind a calf while preventing harm to the animal during transition. Filed on March 25, 2022 and granted on April 30, 2024, the invention — developed by inventors based in Childress, TX — combines a trigger foot plate, a transfer rod, a spool-and-counterweight rotational force transfer, and a sleeve-pin/sleeve-channel interface to achieve controlled closing while allowing immediate disengagement if an animal is beneath the crossbar. The mechanism translates the animal’s weight into controlled spool rotation, using a counterweight to reset and regulate motion, and the sleeve design lets the crossbar swing free under upward pressure so the bovine is not trapped or crushed.
The result is a practical retrofit for manual calf chutes that addresses known safety risks with an elegant mechanical solution. The claims are drafted to cover the interplay of the foot plate, transfer rod, spool/counterweight, and sleeve interaction, reflecting careful claim construction and technical depth.
Key Features
- Weight-triggered floor plate driving a transfer rod and spool assembly
- Counterweight-driven spool for reliable reset and controlled gate motion
- Sleeve-pin safety release that prevents crushing if an animal is under the gate
- Entry ramp and spring options for smooth operation
This patent improves handler and livestock safety on ranches and training facilities and exemplifies mechanically focused innovation with clear applicability across the animal-handling industry.
Invention Details
Abstract: A chute safety system for selectively enclosing a bovine in a calf shoot by selectively closing a rear gate assembly behind the bovine. The chute safety system comprises an entryway at a rear portion, a first side enclosure, a second side enclosure and a front gate assembly at a front portion, a trigger foot plate assembly and the rear gate assembly. The chute safety system can comprise a bovine enclosure defined by a space between the rear gate assembly, the first side enclosure, the second side enclosure, and the front gate assembly. The rear gate assembly comprises a rear gate crossbar having a crossbar distal end and a crossbar proximate end, a crossbar hinge and a crossbar rotational axis.
Summary of the Invention: A chute safety system for selectively enclosing a bovine in a calf shoot by selectively closing a rear gate assembly behind said bovine. Said chute safety system comprises an entryway at a rear portion, a first side enclosure, a second side enclosure and a front gate assembly at a front portion, a trigger foot plate assembly and said rear gate assembly. Said chute safety system can comprise a bovine enclosure defined by a space between said rear gate assembly, said first side enclosure, said second side enclosure, and said front gate assembly. Said rear gate assembly comprises a rear gate crossbar having a crossbar distal end and a crossbar proximate end, a crossbar hinge and a crossbar rotational axis. Said crossbar proximate end is nearer to said crossbar hinge than said crossbar distal end. Said trigger foot plate assembly comprises a floor portion configured to transition from an untriggered configuration to a triggered configuration as an animal weight force is pressed on said floor portion. Said chute safety system is configured for: receiving said bovine into said bovine enclosure through said entryway, triggering said trigger foot plate assembly by pressing said floor portion of said trigger foot plate assembly with said animal weight force of said bovine on said floor portion, releasing said rear gate assembly from an open configuration, rotating said rear gate crossbar down as said bovine continues onto said floor portion, dropping said rear gate crossbar down from said open configuration to a closed configuration as said bovine steps on said floor portion, and releasing said rear gate crossbar from said floor portion to protect said bovine when said bovine is under a portion of said rear gate crossbar. A transfer rod comprises a first rod end and a second rod end. Said first rod end is rotationally attached to said floor portion at a distal end. Said second rod end is rotationally attached to a portion of a trigger force transfer assembly.
Patent Document
Related: Agriculture | Mechanical Engineering | Livestock | Safety Systems | Childress, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney