A bail element for animal bail apparatus, an animal bail apparatus comprising a plurality of the bail elements, and a method for providing animal bail apparatus

摘要

Bail apparatus (1) comprises an overhead support member (3) which is suspendedfrom an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operatingmember (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative statefor separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals froma milking parlour (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apartlocations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element comprisesa partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overheadsupport member (3) at an angle α of approximately 78.5°. A couplingbracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3).A mounting plate member (18) extending downwardly from the coupling bracket(17) is bent along a bend axis (50) which defines first and second forward abutmentfaces (51,52) and first and second rearward abutment faces (55,56) for facilitatingengagement of the corresponding partition element (22) in a selected one of firstand second selectable orientations with the partition element (22) extendingin respective different directions from the overhead support member (3) at therespective angles α, α' of 78.5°. A forward engagementmember (35) of a forward part (20) of each partition element (22) is provided forengaging a selected one of the first and second forward abutment faces (51,52)of the mounting plate member (18), and a rearward engagement member (30) of a rearwardpart (21) of each partition element (22) is provided for engaging a selected onethe first and second rearward abutment faces (55,56) for locating the partitionelement (22) in the selected one of the first and second orientations.