Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Body sling
Patent
1997-09-05
1998-12-01
Price, Thomas
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Body sling
A61D 300
Patent
active
058424431
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to apparatus used in lifting of animals that are ill and in particular to apparatus for lifting quadruped animals that are "down" or intermittently recumbent or "cast" or recovering from anaesthesia or veterinary surgery or undergoing rehabilitation.
Animals which are recumbent due to illness or musculoskeletal problems have to be raised to prevent further deterioration in their condition due to them continuing to remain recumbent. Two currently used methods of raising or lifting recumbent animals, particularly cattle, involve the use of either hip clamps or a sling.
In the former case a large clamp is positioned over the protruding ilia of the animal's hip. The jaws of the clamp are then tightened to compress onto the gluteal hip muscles surrounding the ilia. This contact provides lift points for a front end loader or a block and tackle mechanism to lift the rear end of the cow. Often a cow will stand unaided when the hind quarters have been lifted in this manner. However, a lot of muscle and skin damage occurs at the clamp contact points because of the high weight per unit area load. Cows that have been lifted in this manner on more than two occasions generally suffer very severe soft tissue damage around the hip to such an extent that they have to be destroyed because of this complication and failure to recover from the initial complaint.
Slings are satisfactory in some instances in enabling cows to be lifted. One form of sling is described in Australian patent No. 540088, which discloses a simple sling in combination with a mobile pen. However, slings have fallen out of favour because of the length of time required, and the degree of difficulty, in setting the sling on the cow. Furthermore many cows were unable to stand due to the lack of support of their hind limbs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide means which substantially lessen the above-mentioned problems, and enables animals to stand by providing more adequate and non-traumatic support.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal lifting means including a frame to which at least one weight bearing means is attachable, and to which weight lifting device connection means are also attachable, said frame conforming generally with the lower part of said animal's body and extending beyond and between the front legs and the hind legs of said animal.
Preferably the frame includes a plurality of longitudinal members portions of which extend (or "tuck up") between the front legs and brisket. In the case of cows and other ruminant animals portions of the frame pass on either side of the udder. Preferably the length and/or width of the frame is alterable to permit a more advantageous fit for the particular animal to be lifted. More preferably, if the frame is suitably shaped only the length need be alterable. The frame advantageously may be constructed of metal, e.g. iron tubing or piping, but other suitable materials, including reinforced plastics or fibreglass, may be used. Those portions of the frame which contact the animal to be lifted may be padded to reduce pressure on the body of the animal.
The weight bearing means (hereinafter called "supporting harness") preferably comprises at least one band of material, preferably of textile, capable of supporting the weight of the animal, the width of the band or bands measured in the direction of the general longitudinal axis of the frame being such that a suitably low load in terms of weight per unit area can be achieved, thereby diminishing the likelihood of trauma such as pressure sores. Preferably said at least one band is provided with means for adjusting its width measured in the direction transverse the general longitudinal axis of the frame to permit a more advantageous fit for the particular animal to be lifted and so that the weight of the animal is substantially evenly distributed along the lifting means. Preferably the said at least one band is also capable of being so dimensioned as to enable
REFERENCES:
patent: 4432306 (1984-02-01), Rossa
patent: 4489677 (1984-12-01), Handley
patent: 4556016 (1985-12-01), Snell et al.
patent: 5090368 (1992-02-01), Berghoefer
patent: 5469812 (1995-11-01), Burks
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