Technical Field The invention relates to stock handling and in particular to an animal identification tag reader system which uses a gate assembly as an antenna/sensor for reading animal identification tags.

Background Art At present on farms and in a number or other situations where stock is handled animal tags are used in association with animal identification schemes. The schemes are designed to track live animals up to post-mortem inspection at slaughter. The schemes include individual animal identification, and are used for example for maintaining electronic records of animal movements between properties. The movement records are designed to replace paper-based systems that are currently in use in New Zealand. The intention of such systems is to provide animal identification and traceability and to meet bio-security concerns and other on- and off-farm needs.

The meat production and handling industry is also moving toward the introduction of radio frequency identification devices (or RFIDs) which are electronic tags that emit radio signals that can be read by special readers. This use eliminates the costly need for manual data entry. The RFID tags in use contain only an identification number and any information about the animal which can then be stored on a database and linked to the animal's RFID identification number.

A number of manufacturers supply readers for such electronic tags and these readers and their associated electronic equipment are generally placed alongside a stock race, crate or bail to enable capture of an animal's unique tag number as they are weighed, treated, or identified in a yard or race. One such reader system includes a permanent antenna panel fixed in place for reading tags in a specific place. This type of system is costly and the size of the antenna panel hinders and blocks an operator from seeing the animal through the side of the stock race for example when head bailing an animal. There is also a risk that the antenna panel might be damaged by the animal's movement in the race because the panel is not always of robust construction. An object of the invention is to overcome the above identified problems and to provide an animal identification tag reader system which uses a gate assembly as an antenna/sensor for reading animal identification tags which system at least offers consumers a useful alternative choice. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an antenna/sensor for an animal identification tag reader, the antenna/sensor being formed as part of a gate assembly for a stock crate, bail or race which antenna/sensor is isolated from the crate, bail or race so it can be energised to act as the antenna/sensor capable of reading an animal identification tag and supplying its data to an associated electronic controller or storage system.

The gate assembly can be formed with a gate frame within which is mounted a sub-frame, the gate frame is isolated from both the sub-frame and mountings for the gate frame so that the gate frame can be energized to act as the antenna/sensor.

Preferably the antenna/sensor is incorporated into a frame of a crush gate while allowing side gates of the crush to be fully functional while allowing easy access to an animal, for example its neck by opening the gate antenna.

The gate frame can be formed from a pair of railings or rails which are mounted horizontally and joined to form a generally square or rectangular frame one side of which is an upright and on the other side of which is formed by two aligned members which are held in alignment by one side of the sub- frame.

Each of the two aligned members has mounted in association therewith part of a gate hinge assembly which is isolated from a gudgeon pin on which the gate assembly is mounted. The gate frame has a gate bolt mounted in association therewith which gate bolt is isolated from the gate frame.

The sub-frame is formed with at least two generally horizontally orientated and positioned rails. The two rails are joined and held in a spaced apart relationship at one end by a length of flat bar and each of the other ends of the two rails has a short length of flat bar. In use the lengths of flat bar are welded to the rails so that holes in the flat bars can then support via nylon bushes the sub-frame within the gate frame with the length of flat bar bridging the space between the aligned uprights and the short lengths of flat bar alongside the upright bar. A control box incorporating all or part of an identification reader can be mounted between the two rails of the sub-frame. The control box can be detachable for storage and security.

Advantages of this gate are as follows.

- It has a price advantage, - More animal friendly and robust, and

- Allows an operator to see through gate when head bailing an animal.

Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. Description of the Drawings An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above the front of a gate assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the gate assembly shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an end view of the gate assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is view from above of the gate assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3; and

Figure 5 is a view from the front of part of the gate assembly in which some parts are omitted and some of its parts are shown exploded apart from their normal position.

Description of the Example

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to an animal identification tag reader system designed for cattle and it is to be appreciated that with minor modifications the gate assembly can be used for other livestock in which cases the actual configuration might be changed to suit the size of the livestock to be handled.

An example of gate assembly, generally indicated by arrow 1 for an animal identification tag reader, is shown in Figures 1 to 4.

The gate assembly 1 is formed wth a gate frame 2 shown in Figure 5 within which is mounted a sub-frame 3 (shown in Figures 1 and 2). The sub-frame 3 is isolated from the gate frame 2. The gate frame 2 when mounted to a stock crate, bail or race is isolated from its mountings and gate closure mechanism so that the gate frame 2 can be energized to act as an antenna/sensor. The gate frame 2 is formed from a pair of standard rails 4, 5 which are mounted to be orientated horizontally. The rails 4, 5 are joined to form a generally square or rectangular frame by the inclusion on one side of an upright 6 and on the other side two aligned members 7, 8 which in the example are held in alignment by one side of the sub-frame 3.

Each of the two aligned members 7, 8 has mounted in association therewith part 9 of a gate hinge assembly and the upright 6 or lower rail 4 can have a gate bolt 10 (shown in Figures 1 to 4) mounted in association therewith.

The sub-frame 3 is formed with at least two generally horizontally positioned rails 1 1 , 12. The two rails 1 1 , 12 are joined and held at one end, in a spaced apart relationship, by a length of flat bar 13. Each of the other ends of the rails 1 1 , 12 has a short length of flat bar 14, 15 respectively (shown in Figures 1 and 2). In use the lengths of flat bar 13, 14 and 15 are welded to the rails 1 1 , 12 so that holes (not shown) in the flat bars 13, 14 and 15 can then support nylon bushes 16 (shown in Figures 1 to 3) which are also mounted in holes (not shown) in upright 6 and aligned members 7 and 8. The nylon bushes 16 are shown in Figure 5 exploded from their normal position in the upright 6 and members 7 and 8. The sub-frame 3 within the gate frame 2 is isolated by the use of the nylon bushes 16. The lengths of flat bar 13, 14 and 15 are spaced by a small distance from the adjacent uprights (as shown in Figure 2) to ensure that they are isolated by the insulating nylon bushes 16.

A detachable control box 17 incorporating all or part of an electronic tag reader system is shown mounted between the two rails 1 1 , 12 of the sub- frame 3. The control box can include a buzzer and/or LED confirmation of a tag read and power status. The power source for the control system can be via a 12V battery or optionally via a mains power supply via an adapter. The antenna and control system is adapted to read transponders giving half duplex (HDX compatible [ISO 1 1784/5]) or full duplex (FDX-B compatible [ISO 1 1784/5]) readings from a range of up to 70cm depending on the tags in use. In use the gate frame 2 when mounted is isolated by being mounted on gudgeons which can include nylon sleeves so that the gate frame 2 when energised acts as an antenna/sensor which is isolated from the gate assembly 1. The gate frame 2 as shown and described is mounted as part of a gate assembly for a stock crate, bail or race so that the gate frame can be energised to act as the antenna/sensor . capable of reading animal identification tags and supplying data to an associated electronic controller or storage system (not shown) . Where in the foregoing description particular mechanical integers are described it is envisaged that their mechanical equivalents can be substituted as if they were described herein.

Thus by this invention there is provided an animal identification tag reader system which uses a gate assembly as an antenna/sensor for reading animal identification tags.

A particular example of the invention has been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims.