Importance

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Abstract

An implement for milking an animal, such as a cow, that comprises a milking parlor where the animal can be positioned so that a robot arm which carries teat cups for application to the animal's teats can be positioned between the animal's front and rear legs. The robot arm is linked to a padded sensor that contacts the animal's hindquarters such that the robot arm maintains a relatively stable position between the animal's legs upon the animal's forward or rearward movement. The end of the robot arm can be located precisely relatively to the teats by an ultrasonic sensor. The implement provides for individual application of each teat cup to a teat and, once the teat cup is attached to the teat, the teat cup to be released from the robot arm so that a flexible connecting member provides the link between the rotor arm and the teat cup during milking. Upon completion of the milking, the flexible connecting member is used to pull the teat cup to the robot arm and seat it thereon.

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First Claim