Animal husbandry – Waste toilet or related device – Walled receptacle; e.g. – litter box – etc. – containing...
Patent
1983-05-19
1985-12-03
Chamblee, Hugh R.
Animal husbandry
Waste toilet or related device
Walled receptacle; e.g., litter box, etc., containing...
119103, A61D 300
Patent
active
045560161
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to lifting devices for animals. It is primarily intended to alleviate the problem of the downer cow, although it could have other bovine, equine, or general veterinary applications. In this specification it will be discussed in terms of lifting cows.
After calving, cows are sometimes unable to muster sufficient strength to get to their feet, and in this weakened state they are commonly referred to as downer cows. Certain ailments such as milk fever may have similar effects. If the cow does not get up within a period of about say six hours there is a restriction of the blood circulation, particularly in the legs, and other detrimental physical conditions develop. Before these go too far, it becomes imperative to help the cow stand up. If she does not, she will probably die.
Certain rather crude mechanical aids have been used, such as a clamp which is locked onto the cow's buttocks and then hauled up by a block and tackle. Even fork lifts on the front of a tractor have been used in emergencies. However, these methods are clumsy and potentially and sometimes actually very damaging to the animal.
The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a more gentle lifting device, and moreover one which not only raises the animal to a standing position, but also helps to keep it there while recovery takes place, and is then operable to lower it gradually to take its full weight on its feet. It is also desirable that the device should be very compact and easy to install and operate in a fairly confined space. While not every farmer may need one, it should be equipment practical for a vet to carry in his car.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lifting device for animals comprising an inflatable bag, means for stabilising the bag as it inflates with a load on top, and restraining means for holding an animal straddling the bag.
In the preferred form, the bag is of generally rectangular block-like form with a depression along its upper side for the animal's belly. As mentioned above, the device is primarily intended for downer cows and so one end of this depression will generally be accentuated to accommodate a cow's udder.
Internally, the bag may have a dividing membrane aligned with the length of the depression, which will exert a downward pull when the bag is inflated to help create that depression. The accentuated part for the udder may be formed by further internal membranes. There will also preferably be internal ties acting generally horizontally to restrain the ends of the bag from bulging. This makes for some freedom for the animal's legs, which might be unduly restricted if the bag was allowed to bulge outwardly.
The stabilising means may take the form of a rigid frame securable to the underside of the bag. Conveniently, it comprises a plurality of elements which fit together and which can be removed for deflation and stowage of the bag. Preferably, it has radial spokes with a common hub with which the spokes engage. This hub may be attached to the bag at the centre of the base, and the spokes may pass through at or near the periphery of the base. With a block-like bag, it is convenient to have just four spokes in the form of a cross, with the eyes at the bottom corners of the bag.
The restraining means will generally include a strap for fastening over the animal's back when straddling the bag. There may also be a strap for fastening round the animal's fore or hind legs. That would be primarily for preventing the animal trying to walk while straddling the bag. The restraining means may go to common anchorage points at opposite sides of the bag and preferably there will be reinforcements which will also extend to zones where the frame is secured. These reinforcements may be inverted V-shaped straps bonded to or incorporated in opposite sides of the bag, the anchorage points being at the apices.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of raising an animal from a lying down position comprising arranging the device as de
REFERENCES:
patent: 3621819 (1971-11-01), Hooper
patent: 4070989 (1978-01-01), Ganzel
patent: 4184451 (1980-01-01), Carlin
patent: 4185591 (1980-01-01), Patelis
Kerton Peter S.
Snell Thomas B.
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