Animal husbandry – Waste toilet or related device – Walled receptacle; e.g. – litter box – etc. – containing...
Patent
1982-09-30
1985-01-29
Swiatek, Robert P.
Animal husbandry
Waste toilet or related device
Walled receptacle; e.g., litter box, etc., containing...
A01K 2900
Patent
active
044958960
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention consists of an annular disc, developed to prevent injuries on the udder and especially the nipples of a cow. The injuries are caused by the hind leg of the cow. The disc is made of a flexible material with a central hole. It can be fitted and attached to the cow ankle close to the hoof. A similar disc has already been developed under the American patent specification nr. 4,062,323. The disc prevents injuries which occur when a cow gets up from her lying position. While standing up, the cow first moves her hind legs backwards and then pushes herself up. However, while moving her hind legs backwards and pushing herself off the ground, the udder, which is still lying on the ground, or even worse--the nipples, are often injured by the hooves of her hind legs. The protective function of the disc is based on the principle that, while the cow's hind legs move backwards, the disc, which is attached close to the hoof, will move the udder or nipples away before they can be stamped on by the hooves.
The protection disc known in America does not protect the udder sufficiently, because it is too thick and rigid. This results in the fact that the udder is only partly pushed away. The other part of the udder remains under the disc. Also, the disc can move across the upper part of the nipples or udder, causing them to get pinched between the ground and the hoof.
A further disadvantage of the known disc is that it is made of foamed material which owing to its proximity to the ground will tend to absorb moisture like leaking milk and dung. As a consequence, microbes may easily develop and possibly penetrate the nipples causing inflammations. This will affect the milk production and detract from the quality of the milk. Inflammations of the claws may tend to develop causing the cow difficulties with standing and moving which will also effect the milk production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is to invent a disc which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above but in contrast has some additional advantages.
The new disc, according to the invention and seen in a perspective view has a thickness which decreases from the central hole towards the outer rim thus giving it a wedge like shape. The flexibility of the material and the thickness of the disc are chosen in such a way that the disc is sufficiently flexible to bend as soon as it touches the ground.
As soon as the hind legs move, the disc smoothly slides under the udder or nipples. When a cow, fitted with this new kind of disc, moves her hind legs backwards, the bent part of the flexible disc will move along the ground and slide under the udder. It will lift it off the ground and out of the reach of the hooves. Another advantage of the flexible disc is the fact that it will adjust itself to the body and hind legs of the cow when she has lain down. This way, the flexible disc with its central hole and soft outer rim does not apply any pressure against the udder of the cow.
Further, the disc according to the invention being made of closed smooth resilient material does not absorb moisture or accumulate dirt and other contaminates.
The disc can be delivered in two ways: either as an undivided disc or divided in one or two places. The undivided disc can be equipped with radial incisions running from the central hole towards the outer rim. This makes it easy to adjust the disc on the hind legs of the cow. In case the disc is cut, it is possible to have the cut ends overlap each other. They can be equipped with holes for bolts, pins or other items in order to adjust its size according to the width of the hind leg it has to be fitted to.
It will be understood that this represents another distinct advantage over the disc according to the above cited reference, which disc is provided with inner stripable cut pieces concentrically formed on the peripheral edge of the central hole separated from one another by dot-like connecting parts. Thus the central opening can only be widened with the disadvantage that t
REFERENCES:
patent: 539428 (1895-05-01), Henley et al.
patent: 3036554 (1962-05-01), Johnson
patent: 3062183 (1962-11-01), Tate
patent: 4062323 (1977-12-01), Miyazawa
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