Patent · US Expired

Support and withdrawal mechanism for milking clusters

US4586462A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 1985
Grant dateMay 6, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 8, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01J5/017
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a support and withdrawal mechanism for milking clusters, a support pipe is positioned inside a main column in such a way that it can be rotated and moved up and down inside it. At the bottom of the support pipe is an articulated extension arm with its free end connected to the milking cluster. A clamping component that surrounds the support pipe and in the horizontal position does not impede its free motion is positioned below the main column. The clamping component is secured on one side by a spring and a sloping chain and on the other side by the piston rod of an operating cylinder. The spring, chain, and cylinder are attached to points of suspension on the main column. When the piston rod moves out, the clamping component is tilted and clamps onto the support pipe, carrying the pipe down as it moves. The sloping chain, however, allows a downward motion only if the clamping component simultaneously rotates. This combined lowering and rotating motion is transmitted to the extension arm and generates sloping tension on the milking cluster, initiating the follow-up milking phase.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.