FR2589675A1 - Flexible device for gathering together and restraining animals at pasture - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a flexible and deformable device making it possible to gather together and to restrain animals at pasture. It relates to a piece of equipment consisting of two parts made from a flexible and open-worked material equipped with uniformly spaced stiffeners, intended to hold it vertical. The assembly is connected to fastening posts by an elastic joint making it possible to follow the animals in their movements and equipped with hooks making it possible to grasp the device and the posts. The ends of the device are equipped with a closure means and a grasping system intended to facilitate the implementation of the assembly. The invention also relates to a method for gathering together and restraining in a flexible manner in that the device constitutes a funnel-shaped enclosure capable of gathering together and of containing the animals in a deformable system.

Description

 The present invention relates to a flexible, light, deformable, mobile device, making it possible to ensure the containment of animals in the meadow.

 It is a well-known fact on the part of breeders that the gathering of animals living in pastures, to contain them on a small surface, presents many difficulties, even risks.

 And yet, it is essential to carry out from time to time these operations for the purposes of identification, prophylaxis, change of pasture, trimming of the feet, care of injured or sick animals, I give birth, etc.

 Certainly, there are already materials allowing approach and restraint. They come in the form of rigid wooden or metal barriers, restraint cages with corridors, doors and other additions. These are generally heavy systems and difficult or restrictive to move. These devices are not very efficient because animals are afraid of them and their behavior is affected. The nervousness which appears, generates physical risks of accident for the manipulator with numerous and inevitable losses of time.

 In summary, the difficulties are such that often the remote operator suspends interventions that are nevertheless essential.

 On the basis of these considerations, the invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and relates to the concept of a flexible approach to herds using appropriate equipment, object of the invention, in order to group them easily and smoothly, without behavioral disorder, to treat them in the same movement with the minimum of risk.

 The invention relates essentially to a device made of two parts made of flexible material, one of the two parts being more perforated than the other. The height of these parts is such that it prevents animals from passing their heads over them.

 The device is characterized in that the junction between the two parts is made in such a way that it can withstand the tensile forces recorded on the device itself. The device is fitted with stiffeners intended to keep it in the vertical position. These stiffeners are regularly spaced along the length of the device and are intimately fixed to the material of the device.

 The device is characterized by the fact that the previously described assembly is connected to the fixing posts by a flexible and elastic means, this anchoring making it possible to follow the animals in their movements, that is to say expand or retract on request. The anchoring to the fixing posts consists of an elastic material provided, at its ends, with hooks making it possible to grip the device on the one hand and the posts on the other hand, ensuring a flexible and deformable junction between the device and its anchoring.

 The device is characterized by the fact that its ends are provided with a closure mode consisting of a simple attachment system for use, as well as, on one of the two ends, with a gripping system intended to facilitate the tension and the implementation of the whole.

 The invention also relates to a flexible compression method characterized in that the aforementioned device constitutes a flexible funnel pocket, capable of gathering the animals and, by deformation on itself, of bringing them to a behavior such that one can intervene directly on the herd in the best safety conditions.

 Thus, the device, object of the present invention, makes it possible to obtain a great calm of the animals. These, in fact, prisoners of a flexible pocket, eminently deformable, can move individually or in mass, without being limited by something hard. Their reaction then, is not to try to force the obstacle, but to accept the restraint without seeking to escape.

 It is important that this constituent material is sufficiently tensile and tear resistant to fulfill its role.

 Advantageously, the structure is light enough to be put in place by a single man and it must not have local rigidity liable to injure the manipulator.

 Ideally, the choice of constitutive material is carried out on grid-shaped structures with high mechanical resistance. Common polymers such as polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, PVC, or even aramids can be used. This list is in no way limiting and, obviously, it can be used any type of material obtained from any manufacturing process, without departing from the scope or the spirit of 1 ' invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example and referring to the appended drawing in which:
Figure 1 shows a view of the device according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 represents a plan view of a possible arrangement for use.

 Figures 3 and 4 show views of the details of the device.

 Figure 5 schematically shows the operation of the invention.

 We first refer to Figures 1 and 2. As shown, the device comprises two parts (1) and (2), joined, one of which (2) is intended to constitute the passage d 'entry and exit.

 Parts (1) and (2) will have a height such that animals cannot pass their heads over it, because otherwise, taking into account the flexibility of the structure, it could be feared that a sudden exit would take place .

 Depending on the nature and the need, stiffeners (3) will be inserted to keep the bag in the vertical or subvertical position, during use.

 Referring to Figure 3 we can see that the fixing posts (4) are kept away from the part (i) by a special device, taking the place of flexible spacer (5). This effect can be obtained by any elastic type system, the term elastic being taken here in the proper sense of reversible physical deformation.

 Figure (4) shows the detail of the end of part (2).

This part intended to constitute the access passage can be hooked on the part (i) so as to close the device. For this purpose, a holding handle system (7) fixed on a bulge (s) of the part (2) or an additional reinforcement associated with a fastening system (5), of whatever nature. We can consider a mechanical, magnetic hooking system, stapling, gluing, welding, "Velcro" or "zipper system, or any other means.

 Referring to FIG. 5. We see there listed, under the heading 'position A', the actual position that part (2) must take, so as to form, with part (1) made fixed, a funnel allowing channel the herd to the bottom of the pocket. Position B is that taken by the device in the final phase of gathering the animals inside the pocket.

 Alternatively, one could use any material other than plastic, giving the same characteristics to the invention. In the same way, it is understood that the use of the invention can be envisaged in a context other than that of the pastures and that the example indicated and described in Figures 2 and 5, is in no way limiting to the scope of the invention, that various modifications can be made to it without departing from its scope or its spirit.

Claims (6)

 10) - Device for gathering and restraining animals in the meadow, flexible, light, deformable, characterized in that it consists of two parts (1) and (2) of non-rigid material having, in its plane, openings , one of the two parts having a more openwork appearance than the other which is made of a more tight material. The assembly device thus constituted is characterized by the fact that it is capable of deformation on itself to follow the animals in their movement by expanding and retracting on demand, this effect being obtained by the flexible character and eminently deformable of the assembly and of its fixing elements (5) to the fixed posts (4) inserted in the ground.  20) - Device according to claim 1,  Characterized by the fact that the assembly previously described (1) and (2), is connected to the fixing posts (4) by a flexible and elastic means (5) t This anchoring making it possible to follow the animals in their movements, it that is, to expand and retract on demand. This device (5) keeps the parts (1) and (2) away from the fixing posts (4) by playing the role of a deformable spacer. It is made of an elastic material provided, at its ends with hooks making it possible to grip the device (1) and (2) on the one hand and the posts (4) on the other hand, ensuring a flexible and deformable junction ( 5) between the device (i) and (2) and its anchor (4).  30) - Device according to claim 1,  Of which the two parts (1) and (2) must have a height such that it prevents the animal or animals from passing their head over it.  40) - Device according to claims i and 2,  Characterized in that the junction between the two parts (1) and (2) is made in a durable and definitive manner, the mode of connection being obtainable by welding, stitching, gluing or any other means.  50) - Device according to any one of the preceding claims,  Characterized by the fact that the two flexible parts (1) and (2) linked together are provided with stiffeners (3) intended to maintain the device in a vertical position and ensuring contact with the ground. These stiffeners (3) are regularly spaced over the entire length of the device and are intimately linked to the material of the device without being able to be separated.  6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims,  According to which the ends (5) of the parts (1) and (2) are provided with a closure method consisting of a simple attachment system (8) as well as on one of the ends: at least one gripping system (7) intended to facilitate tensioning and implementation of the assembly.  70) Device according to any one of the preceding claims,  Characterized by the fact that the part (2) held vertically by stiffeners (3) can pivot laterally with respect to the part (1), so as to close the access device in the form of a funnel door (alternately position A and C ).  o) - Flexible restraint methodg  Characterized in that the device according to any one of the preceding claims constitutes a flexible funnel pocket, capable of gathering the animals then, by deformation on itself, of bringing them to a behavior such that one can intervene directly on the herd in the best security conditions.