Animal husbandry – Body- or appendage-encircling collar or band – Having or specifically adapted to support a diverse element...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-16
2003-03-25
Abbott, Yvonne (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Body- or appendage-encircling collar or band
Having or specifically adapted to support a diverse element...
C119S719000, C119S174000, C119S908000, C340S573200, C340S573300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06536377
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to posture position monitoring and wireless alarm detection system for use on the equine specimen.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mesibov et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,660, claims an apparatus of position monitor and alarm comprising a source of infrared radiated signal directed to a radiation-sensitive patch affixed to an infantes garment The state of the infrared reflected signal is then transmitted by wireless means to alert a care-giver if said infant assumes a predetermined position. While the basic philosophy and physics of transmitting the signal of intelligence from Point B (crib-side) to Point C (care-giver) by a wireless method may be somewhat similar in scope to this invention, the utility of sensing the datum at Point A (human or equine) is not. The utilization of an infrared patch source would only be practical in a close and controlled indoor environment. Conversely, it is the intent of the present invention to be utility feasible and economical for monitoring the inverted posture of the equine specimen that might be roaming in a 20-acre paddock. The infrared patch signal source as it relates to the utility of monitoring the equine specimen in a large paddock environment would not be feasible: The line-of-sight requirement for the proper operation of the infrared apparatus might be obstructed by a fence post, forage, building, or even rain, hence, potentially assuming a state exactly opposite of the actual posture state of the equine specimen.
Nolan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,177, discloses a remote transmitter/receiver alarm fixture to detect a human's upright position. His preferred embodiment implements the use of a “. . . multiplicity (preferably four or more) of switch means . . . physically arranged in the fixture . . . so that they are more-or-less evenly spaced about the circumference of the body when the fixture is worn.” This fixture would not be practical for utility on the equine specimen as by nature the equine has tendencies in its normal daily routine to rub against natural and boundary objects which would render some of the “evenly spaced” switches and/or associated wiring inoperative. Additionally, the potential is high for damaging the switches during the normal process of the equine specimen assuming the lying (resting) position. Echols', Keep Off Your Back Alarm, U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,447, utilizes a somewhat similar sensing concept of this invention, but the invention falls short for use on the equine specimen: The signal sensing switches of his invention,
FIG. 9
, are merely attached to his harness apparatus with Velcro, and are located in a precarious and unprotected physical position; “. . . to be attached to the body at spaced locations, with one switch means being on the right and the other on the left frontal body region.” The locations of the switch means on his human chest embodiment, if they would remain in place, can be expected to cause a chaffing or galling nuisance factor when adapting to the equine specimen. Furthermore, by the mere natural and unpredictable behavior of the equine specimen, particularly in an uncontrolled pasture environment, the proximity and integrity of the unprotected switch means may readily become eschewed or disabled when adapting for installation on the equine specimen.
Another of Echol's preferred forms “. . . employs a sensor apparatus in the form of a pair of series connected gravity actuated switch means adapted to be attached in spaced relation on one's head . . . ” Any apparatus attached to a horse's head is assuredly detrimental for the operational integrity as well as the life expectancy of the apparatus. Additionally, the equine specimen readily tosses its head at whim which would detect a false indication.
Lloyd's, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,525, claims an apparatus that utilizes an unspecified harness. A harness fabricated of materials as it relates to a harness designed and employed specifically for utilization on the human specimen, may not be suitable or practical for extended use on the equine specimen. His sensing apparatus employs a gravitational switch that, according to
FIG. 5
, is actuated to the Normally Closed configuration for precisely 120 geometric degrees of rotation. That is in direct conflict to this invention which specifies +/- 90 degrees (totaling 180 geometric degrees of rotation in the Normally Closed configuration). 120 geometric degrees of difference between design of his invention and the present invention is extremely critical, as the sensing switch (120 degrees: 240 degrees/Normally Closed: Normally Open respectively) means of his apparatus of invention, adapted for use with the equine specimen, could send a false detect alarm signal when the horse was merely lying in a resting mode. If one chose to adapt Lloyd's apparatus of invention to the equine specimen by utilizing his sensing switch in the Normally Open position for a detect alarm signal of 240 degrees of geometric rotation, (e.g. rotating the housing of the sensing switch apparatus 180 degrees—‘upside down’) a requirement to alter the electrical circuit design would be forced to accommodate a constant power consumption mode in the non-detect configuration. Additionally, 120-degrees of geometric rotation-switch Normally Open in this condition—for the detect alarm position (+/−60 problematic posture alarm data, as many horses roll less drastically than others while attempting to self-correct a physical, internal abnormality.
Lloyd employs a piezo-electric buzzer within the signal sensor apparatus. Such a design subjected to the object of the equine specimen would cause the average horse to become startled and perhaps behave unpredictably when said buzzer activated.
Lloyd's signal-sensing housing apparatus contains an orifice,
FIG. 3
, which exposes the internal electronics to the exterior elements. The operational life of the internal electronic components would indeed be jeopardized when application is transferred to an exterior environment as is a requirement for this invention as it applies to the equine specimen in an outdoor pasture environment.
Lloyd illustrates,
FIG. 4
, a harness without specification. In order for lasting and substantive operation when installed on the equine specimen, the harness must be a highly integral component must be constructed of strong material for extremely high durability; be of specific width, utilizing properly sized and styled buckles for the maximum distribution of tension forces—so as not to ‘cut’ into flesh during extended wear, and, symmetrically balanced in order for the signal sensing apparatus to physically seek the lowest gravitational point of the harness in the enabled state. Lloyd states that the harness straps utilized in his invention, “can be fastened by Velcro adhesive means.” Straps attached with Velcro would not remain installed around the mid section of the equine specimen during an inversion episode.
Lloyd's monitor apparatus,
FIG. 7
, does not contain the required components to alert a ranch manager at a remote location when the detect mode of the sensor is triggered.
Relating specifically to the time-lapse delay circuitry of Mr. Lloyd's “Sleep Posture Monitor” system, it's noted that his invention specifies a maximum allowed duration of interruption of one second. An allowable duration of interruption of one second is not practical for the equine specimen application experiencing a violent posture inversion episode, as the equine specimen in this situation will roll on its back, or partially roll on its back in an effort to correct the abnormality for time periods generally less than one second in duration. In the equine specimen situation the ranch manager would seldom be alerted by an adaptation of the sensor apparatus of Lloyd's invention.
Pomerantz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,055, claims a body position monitoring device that utilizes one of a four sensing switch means,
FIGS. 9
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10
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,
12
. Non
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