EP0108866B1 - Device for facilitating delivery in animals, particularly cows - Google Patents

Abstract

Cows are assisted during the birth of calves by an instrument consisting of a bar (11) with a support (13) at one end which is pressed against the cow body. The bar has a toothed rack (12a,12b) with a slider (30a,b) which can mesh with the teeth of the rack. The slider has an attachment for a cord which can be attached to the front or back feet of the calf being born. The support has pivoted elements (14a,14b) with anatomically curved surfaces (5a,5b) which conform to the cow body. The pivoted elements are so mounted that their distance from each other can be adjusted.

Description

The present invention relates to an improved device for helping with the birth of animals. The birth of four-legged animals with hooves such as cattle, horses, etc. can cause serious difficulties due to the considerable size of the animal to be born compared to the dimensions of the mother animal. If childbirth is difficult, several people must intervene, each grasping and pulling on the hind or forefoot of the animal to be born, and it must also be possible for the individual feet to be independent of one another in a limited manner or even two Being able to pull your feet back at the same time. This is to avoid injury to the animal to be born and to reduce the pain of the mother animal.

Usually the front or hind feet of the animal to be born emerge. The feet to be grasped at birth are the front or rear pair on which the pulling force mentioned above must be exerted. In the course of childbirth, this pulling requires considerable forces from the people who assist the childbirth, which is why it has proven to be expedient to use mechanical or pneumatic devices which, on the one hand, reduce human traction, but on the other hand, allow the alternate release of the individual feet.

Some known devices provide for the use of a correspondingly shaped rod which is provided with holders of a more or less anatomical shape for supporting against the mother's body. The means for actuating the pull cords is also difficult to handle; the entire device cannot be used by one person alone without extreme difficulty. In addition, the pulling force is always the same and cannot be changed according to the respective conditions.

GB A 2 029 234 describes a device of the aforementioned type in which a rod which is anatomically shaped is roughly used, but this device has the disadvantage of difficult handling.

The present invention has therefore set itself the task of realizing a device which is convenient and practical even if it is used by only one person, which is as little as possible both for the mother animal and for the animal to be born and also not is particularly annoying.

A purpose of the invention is also to implement the device at a modest cost with secure positioning.

The object was achieved with a device according to the features mentioned in claim 1.

A particular implementation provides that the anatomical support surface has at least one downward, rocking surface, which can take the most comfortable position both for the animal and for the person assisting the birth and handling the device.

In particular, two anatomical support elements are provided, which are articulated independently of one another on the holder and whose mutual distance can be varied.

One improvement provides that the holder of the anatomical element and the rod are articulated in such a way that they can perform a full-angle rotation with respect to one another.

One implementation provides that each runner is provided with at least one connecting element, which has at least one hooking element, in order to hook into a toothed rack provided on the rod, the hooking element being elastically tensioned against the toothed rack.

A preferred solution provides that the rotor is connected to the end of an actuating lever that exerts the tensile force.

A preferred implementation provides that, in accordance with the pin, the lever end has a shaped opening in order to allow a slightly oscillating movement of the lever parallel to the rod when the runners have to be moved alternately along the rack.

A special embodiment provides that the actuating lever can be extended, for example pushed together, in order to differentiate the tensile force due to the change in the tensile force moment exerted by the person assisting the birth. This arrangement can be particularly useful if the animal has a particularly large chest and is at risk of being pressed in the mother's body and could suffer damage as a result.

A preferred implementation provides that the rod has a guide groove, on the sides of which two toothed racks for hooking up one of the runners are arranged. A special implementation provides that the engagement groove has the shape of an inverted T for each rotor, the profile of the rotor being form-fitting.

A special solution provides that to release the hooking end from the seat of the rack, the hooking element cooperates with a cam which is arranged on an externally projecting element and is optionally displaceable, and to counteract the actuation of the elastic element mentioned above. This element protruding outside also serves in particular as a handle for moving the runners along the rod.

• Figur 1 eine Gesamtansicht einer Verwirklichung der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung,
• Figur 2 eine Einzelheit des Schnittes entlang der Linie 2-2 in Fig. 1,
• Figur 3 eine Schnitt gemäss der Linie 3-3 in Fig. 1,
• Figur 4 eine Draufsicht, teilweise aufgebrochen, auf die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1,
• Figur 5 eine Ansicht, die insbesondere den Läufer gemäss Fig. 1 zeigt,
• Figur 6 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie 6-6 in Fig. 1,
• Figur 7 eine zweite Verwirklichung der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung,
• Figur 8 einen Schnitt entlang der Ebene 8-8 in Fig. 7,
• Figur 9 eine teilweise aufgebrochene Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 7,

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures shown in the accompanying drawing. Show it :

• FIG. 1 shows an overall view of an implementation of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 shows a detail of the section along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows a section along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 shows a top view, partly broken away, of the device according to FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 is a view which shows in particular the rotor according to FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7 shows a second implementation of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 8 shows a section along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 shows a partially broken side view of the device according to FIG. 7,

A first implementation is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The device designated by 10 consists of a rod 11 with two opposite longitudinal sides, each of which is provided with a toothed rack. For the sake of simplicity, the two toothed racks, with each of which a rotor connects, are denoted by 12a and 12b. The device ends with a support bracket 13 for the body of the mother animal.

15a and 15b, two anatomical elements 14a and 14b are attached to this support holder 13. Since the two anatomical elements 14a and 14b are the same, only the anatomical element 14a articulated in FIG. 15a is described for the sake of simplicity, while the same parts of the anatomical element 14b are given the same reference numbers but with the addition b. As can be seen from the drawing, the holder 13 has various openings 1.6, which enable the anatomical element 14a to be fastened in different positions, as a result of which the mutual spacing of these elements can be regulated. The anatomical element 14a has an anatomical surface 5a for supporting against the mother animal, while the other opposite surface 17a is curved slightly downwards, as a result of which the element can oscillate and adapt to the position of the mother animal body. This will make it easier for people to assist. The fastener which enables the seesawing can be of a known type. A non-limiting example is shown in section in FIG. 2. In this case, the pin 18 is used, which is connected to both the anatomical element 14b and the holder 13 and has a nut 20 at one end and a screw head 21 at the other end: however, any other known system can also be used.

The holder for the anatomical elements is rotatably attached to the rod, which is shown in particular in FIG. 1, where the holder 13 is articulated to the rod with a screw 25 such that a complete rotation of 360 ° is possible.

In this implementation, particular attention has been paid to the profile of the bar for receiving the specially implemented runners. This profile is particularly shown in Fig. 3, which shows that each side for connection to the rotor has guide grooves 24a and 24b in the form of an inverted T. The runners 30a and 30b shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and in perspective in FIG. 5 slide in each groove. For the sake of simplicity, only the rotor 30a is described below, since the same elements of the rotor 30b have the same shape and only the slope is changed. For sliding in the groove 24a, the rotor has a surface 31a (FIG. 5), also in the form of an inverted T. Furthermore, the runner has a hook element 34a for attaching a knitting end (not shown) while the other end of the knitting is attached to one leg of the animal to be born. 35a, the fork element 36a is articulated, the two toothed ends 37a of which engage in a rack 12a on both sides of the groove 24a. The fork 36a is actuated by an elastic element 38a, which is supported against the protruding element 48a, which forms a release button for the toothed ends 37a of the fork.

As can be noted, the grooved rod of special design in accordance with each engagement side with the runner is particularly advantageous since the runner, due to the fact that its profiled end is form-fitting with the groove of the rod, can slide in the latter. This also results in an extremely easy and economical implementation. On the other hand, any other shape can be provided for the guide groove, provided that the profile of the rotor is form-fitting in order to slide in the groove.

The operating lever 41 is articulated on the two runners 30a and 30b by an annular end 49 on the two pins arranged on each side of the blocks 40a and 40b. This articulation is shown in particular in FIG. 5, which, however, only shows the runner 30a for better clarification. One of the inlet openings (in this solution 39b) is designed as an elongated hole and the other opening 39a is designed as a circular hole. The lever 41 can also be articulated in accordance with the pins 35a and 35b.

The actuating lever 41, which is fixed on the handle 42, can be pushed together so that its length and consequently the power arm applied to the person performing childbirth can be changed. A special implementation of the collapsible lever is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, which show an outer element 46, which is firmly connected to the handle 42, in which an inner element 44 slides. An elastic element 88 is arranged between these elements. Seats 45 are provided in the inner element, so that the elastic element can expand between them and thus block the lever in the desired position. In this way, the length and the traction arm can be regulated.

Another handle 50 is slidably mounted on the rod so that it can be brought into the desired position. The handle 50 has an end 51 for Engagement in one of the grooves 24, which is shown in particular in FIG. 3. The end of the handle 50 has a stop surface 50a which abuts against the stop surface 43 of the block 40a. In this way, when the rotor is moved from right to left, the handle 50 is also shifted to the left without further intervention.

In view of the toothed end 37a of the fork compared to the formation of the tooth of the rack 12a, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that the rotor 30a which is in engagement with the rack through the toothed end can only shift to the left (arrow A). In order to move the rotor 30a in the opposite direction, that is to say to the right, the two toothed ends 37a must be disengaged by pressing the projecting element 48a downwards, which counteracts the action of the elastic element 38a. Of course, the same considerations apply to the runner 30b.

The operation of the device will now be described.

First, the group of the two runners 30a and 30b is brought in an approximate position to the support holder 13, which adapts well to the mother animal body in view of the presence of the anatomical elements. The rotor is shifted to the right after the corresponding toothed end 37a and 37b is disengaged and the projecting element 48a and 48b, which counteracts the elastic element 38a and 38b, is pressed down. The holder is then supported with the two anatomical elements against the body of the mother animal and the ends of the ropes are fastened to the feet of the animal to be born, depending on the location of the animal to be born, both the front and the rear feet can be. If the lever 42 of the lever is moved by an oscillation, the rotor 30a and the rotor 30b are also displaced to the left due to the special design of the opening 39a, 39b, so that the corresponding rope at the foot of the animal to be born is attracted.

If the handle 42 is pivoted to the right (arrow direction D - FIG. 1), the block 40a rotates around the pin and causes the rotor 30a to be shifted to the left. As a result of the formation of the opening 39b (FIG. 5), the pin rests against the end of the opening 39b in accordance with the block 40b, thereby forming a stop for this movement.

If the handle is moved to the left, i. H. in the direction of arrow S, the reverse occurs, d. H. runner 30b shifts to the left, while runner 30a remains immobile. In this way, tensile forces are alternately exerted on the animal feet, thereby making birth easier. Should it be necessary to loosen one or both feet of the animal to be born, it is sufficient to press on the projecting element 48a or 48b, whereby the corresponding tooth of the fork 36a or 36b is released and the corresponding rotor 30a or 30b can be moved becomes. A limited displacement of only one runner or both runners is possible in that only one fork element is disengaged or both fork elements are disengaged at the same time. If necessary, in the latter case both runners can be moved to the right for any run while loosening the ropes. The pulling force exerted can also be changed by shortening or lengthening the length of the lever 41. Of course, the tensile moment exerted changes in this way.

A second implementation of the device is described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. The rod 61 shown here has a different profile than the embodiment described above, which is shown in FIG. 8. The runners 60a and 60b are also realized in different ways, while the support holder 13, the collapsible lever 41 and the means for performing a complete rotation of the holder 13 relative to the rod 61 are designed in the same way as the parts already described.

The rod 61 has a rack 62a and 62b for each rotor 60a and 60b. In this case too, only the rotor 60a is described. The runner 60a consists of a channel-shaped element 66a which has a hook element 67a directed towards the holder 13 for fastening a rope (not shown). 68a, a pawl 69a is articulated, which at the end has a tooth 71a which engages in the rack 62a, so that displacement is only possible in one direction. The pawl is held on the rack by a leaf spring.

As can be seen in this solution, the bar slides in the rotor, while in the previously preferred embodiment, which is readily preferred, the bar is much easier to slide in the grooves specially provided on the bar.

The release means for displacing the rotors 60a and 60b to the holder 13 is particularly interesting. It consists of a cam element 73a which is articulated in 74a and connected to the side handle (only the handle 75b is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9). If the tooth 71a is to be released from the rack, the handle 75a must be rotated. so that the cam member 73a rotates and counteracts the spring 70a at the same time. The handle 75a also enables the runners to be guided manually to the position where the rack 62a is to be blocked again. In this case too, the shift is gradually made to the left by pivoting the actuating lever 41 to the right and left in the same way as already described.

It is obvious that in this way all requirements without harm to the mother or the animal to be born are taken into account.

Claims (13)

1. A device for facilitating delivery in animals, particularly cows, comprising a rod (11, 61) ending with a support (13) propping against the mother animal body, with an anatomical shaped surface (5a, 5b), said rod (11, 61) presenting on at least one of two opposing longitudinal faces a rack (12a, 12b, 62a, 62b) to which each time can be fixed, by means of a hooking tooth (37a, 37b, 71a, 71 b), a unidirectional locking device with at least a slider (30a, 30b, 60a, 60b) connected to the end of a rope the opposite end of which being tied to one of the legs (fore or hind) of the animal being born, and a lever (41) with one end (49) connected to the sliders (30a, 30b, 60a, 60b), characterized in that at least an anatomical shaped element (14a, 14b), having an anatomic surface (5a, 5b) propping against the mother animal body, is articulated at the support (13).

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two anatomical shaped elements (14a, 14b) each articulated on the propping support (13), the reciprocal distance of them being variable.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface (17a, 17b) of the anatomical shaped element (14a, 14b), which is opposed to the anatomical surface (5a, 5b) propping against the mother animal body has at least a convex part so that the element (14a, 14b) can oscillate and adjust itself against the mother animal body.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling between the support (13) propping against the mother animal body and the rod (11, 61) allows a free rotation between the two.

5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said engaging element (36a, 36b, 66a, 66b) present on the slider is resiliently biased against the rack (12a, 12b, 62a, 62b).

6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said slider (30a, 30b, 60a, 60b) is articulated at the end (49) of the actuating lever (41) which is operated to alternatively exert a tractive force alternatively on one of the legs of the animal being born.

7. A device according to claim 6 with two sliders (30a, 30b), characterized in that the end (49) of the lever articulated on a slider (30a), presents an elongated hole (39b) to allow a longitudinal oscillating mouvement to the other slider (30b) so as to alternatively shift one of the sliders (30a, 30b) along the rack.

8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuating lever (41) has a variable length and is carried out for instance in a retractable form, so as to modify the lever arm and therefore the tractive force exerted on the traction rope by the person in charge.

9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod (11, 61) presents at least two specially shaped grooves (24a, 24b) engaging the end of a sliding element (30a, 30b) having a corresponding profile so as to slide within the grooves (24a, 24b), each groove delimiting two distinct rank profiles.

10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that said groove (24a, 24b) is T-shaped.

11.. A device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it has also a hand grip (50) sliding on the rod (11) which engages in at least one of the grooves (24a, 24b) within which slides one of the sliders (30a, 30b) so that it can be brought to the desired position.

12. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said resilient engaging element (66a, 66b) cooperates with a cam element (73a, 73b) connected to an externally projecting element (75a, 75b) which is shifted so as to oppose the action of the resilient element (66a, 66b).

13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that said projecting element (75a, 75b) acts also as a hand grip to guide the displacement of the sliders (60a, 60b) along the rod (61).

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