GB1576553A - Alarm device for indicating the initiation of calving - Google Patents

Description

(54) ALARM DEVICE FOR INDICATING THE INITIATION OF CALVING (71) I, HANS-JOSEF REUTER of Kaiserstrasse 28, D-5177 Titz-Höllan, Germany, a German National, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an alarm device, for indicating the initiation of calving of cows, wherein movement of a pivotable stirrup for covering the outlet of the vagina actuates an electrical switch contact, herein -after called "the kind specified".

The calving of a cow has always been an event for the farmer which requires his full attention and time, his assistance being necessary not only for economic reasons. The prevalent increase in the keeping of cows in sheds, more especially on large farms, renders occasion for such assistance becoming a considerable burden, particularly with regard to maintaining observation before the beginning of calving and especially in view of the fact that calving takes place mainly during the night time hours. When due to lack of attention the commencement of calving is missed, this frequently results in the death of the calf, and not infrequently, of the cow also.

On the other hand, due to the rationalisation of agriculture, the number of persons employed in the cow shed is limited, so that there is a genuine need to provide a device reliably for indicating the beginning of calving to the farmer.

It has been proposed to install a television camera in the cow shed. Aside from the expense and a possible faulty adjustment of the camera such a device, although giving a picture, does not transmit the alarm which alone is decisive for the farmer. Moreover limits are imposed by the existing lighting conditions.

A calving alarm of the kind specified has been proposed several decades ago wherein a pivotal stirrup covers the vaginal outlet and an electrical switch contact is responsible to pivotal movement associated with the stirrup.

Such a device had yet to be realized satisfactorily. Specification No. 632827 discloses such a device.

Comprising a box containing electrical switch contacts it has a stirrup which is connected thereto and depends from and on both sides of the tailstock of the animal over the outlet of the vagina. The box is secured to a strap which runs over the back of the animal from the girth band to the box and thence to a loop extending around the tailstock. The relatively long stirrup, the pivotal axis of which is arranged above the stock of the tail, is deflectable against the pressure of a return spring mounted in the box for actuation of a contact arm firmly connected to the pivot.

Since the box is disposed above the tail on the rump of the animal the stirrup also rests on the animal. The considerable force therefore necessary to swing the stirrup far enough against its own weight, the power of the return spring and any possible jamming or slipping is inconsistent with initiation of an acceptably unimpeded warning signal. This force must then be exerted by the issueing enveloping sac or the calf. The stirrup must be wide enough not to prevent the outflow of faeces and thus there is also the danger that a foot of the calf may become caught in the stirrup and its delivery at birth thereby hindered. Due to the relatively long length of the stirrup which needs considerable path for swivelling, there is also the additional danger that the stirrup may become warped so that it does not exactly locate over the vagina.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sturdy alarm device capable of proper application to the cow whereby in operation the device is neither disturbed by faeces nor by calving and enables a reliable warning signal to be emitted at low power.

According to the present invention an alarm device, for indicating the initiation of calving in cows, comprises a pivotable stirrup for covering the vagina and associated with an electrical switch contact responsive to pivotal movements for actuating a warning signal and has a securement ring for slipping over the tailstock and carrying a yoke for arrangement therebelow, the stirrup being connected to swivel on the ends of the yoke and formed as a flap comprising a grid frame, the upper edge of-the flap being shaped downwardly in the centre 'area relatively to the side parts connected to-the end of the yoke so that the flap, in its working condition, covers the vagina but not the rectum of the animal whereby, with the yoke and the side parts, a passage is left-in use for the outlet of faeces.

The arrangement of the yoke below the tailstock on the one hand-and the hinging of the flap to the ends of the yoke means that the flap can be relatively short-affords the advantage that, on the one hand, a relatively short swivel path and, since the flap can hang freely, only a weak force are necessary m deflecting the flap to actuate the switch con tacts. Since the side parts of the flap on both sides of the rectum are secured to the ends of the yoke, the points of connection are scarcely exposed to any appreciable soiling.

This results in a stable bearing arrangement of the flap which, since it hangs down freely, can be made relatively strong. The grid-like bars provide this 'strength, prevent the calf being held fast and allow urine to flow through freely.

Upon initiation of calving, either the enveloping sac or, if this is already broken, a foot of the calf appears out of the vagina of the mother, and moves the flap which triggers the desired alarm signal by actuating the electrical switch contact.

According to an advantageous feature of the present invention, an electric switch is provided directly on the yoke, with a lever or trigger secured to the flap for swivelling about the pivotal axis to trip the switch.

Another embodiment of the present invention resides in the feature that the trip lever is dis placeable relatively to the flap about the pivotal axis.

In order to avoid the device prematurely triggering the alarm signal by fortuitous deflection of the flap, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, a thermo-delay relay is provided between the electric switch and the signal device.

A further feature for avoiding inadvertent alarm in cases where the anal area curves somewhat outwardly is proposed, in accor dance with another embodiment of the pre sent invention:-- that the sides of the upper lateral parts of the flap opposed to the animal should subtend an obtuse angle relatively to the general plane of the flap.

The invention will be further described by way of example in greater detail with reference to a particular embodiment of alarm warning device according to the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a cow wearing the alarm warn ing device, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram, Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus and is a perspective detail view, Fig. 5 shows a detail on a magnified perspective view.

According to Fig. 1, a ring 3, enclosing the tail is applied to the tailstock 2 of a cow 1 by means of a harness 4 mounted on the hind quarters of the cow 1. Below the ring 3, pivotable about a horizontal axis, is a flap 4 which is angled backwardly and swivels backwardly in the direction of arrow 5 upon the issue of the enveloping sac or a foot of the calf. This actuates a warning signal device 6, shown only schematically, by means of an electrical switch.

- Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the electrical device. The current tapped from the mains Rlmp is transformed to low power emission by a transformer 7 and applied by a rectifier 8 via a relay 9 to the contacts 10, 11 of a snap toggle spring switch 12 which is in direct connection with the flap 4.

Upon actuation of the switch 12, the contact 13 thereof touches the contact 11 of the second phase of the low power supply, whereby the relay 9 is energized. The relay actuates 17 with mains current by way of a switch contact 16 normally resting against a rest contact 15.

As soon as the thermo-delay relay 17 has reached a certain temperature, it actuates the switch contact 16 and connects it with a resting contact 18 of an acoustic or optical warning signal system 19, e.g. a horn which is set in operation after the delay, determined by a thermo-delay relay 17. The thermo-delay relay, which is now without current, cools down again and, after some time, draws the switch contact 16 away from the resting contact 18 and connects it again with the resting contact 15. If the system is still switched on, the warning signal is again actuated.

This intermittent actuation is very effective.

The delay provided excludes warning signal actuation by a brief shift in the position of the flap 4, e.g. by a movement of the tail or knocking against a shed stall.

Figs. 3 and 4 show an enlarged view of the mechanical part of the device. A yoke 20 is secured to the underside of the ring 3 for attachement to the tailstock. The ring 3 may also be made in two parts. The yoke 20 may be formed as a cylindrical rod, e.g. of plastics material, but is preferably tapered in its centre portion as shown in Fig. 3.

Suitable spindles 22, on which retaining blocks 23 are mounted to rotate, are secured to the side part 21. These retaining blocks 23 may also be formed of plastics material.

The flap 4 is secured to the retaining blocks 23 and comprises, as shown in the drawings, a plurality of vertical grid bars 24, e.g. of plastics material or stainless steel, and are enclosed by a frame 25.

The centre part 26 of the upper side of the flap 4 is made somewhat lower than the side parts 27 secured to the retaining blocks 23.

In this manner a free opening 28 is formed between the yoke 20 and the flap 4 and is arranged, when the device is applied, in the area of the rectum of the cow and thus the passage of excrement is unhindered; part of the flap 4, formed by the open grid covering the vagina area, wherefor the grid bars 24 are shown, does not inhibit normal urination.

In order to prevent detachment of the apparatus if the anal area curves somewhat outwardly, the flap, as shown in Fig. 4, is offset with a backward bend in its upper area in an obtuse angle between the side parts 27 and the lower part 29 of the flap 4.

A cap 30 (Fig. 5) with an abutment 31 which, upon pivoting of the flap 4 and the retaining block 23, trips the switch contact 13 provided on the yoke 20, is located on one of the two retaining blocks 23. In order to adapt the device to the anatomy of the cow, it is proposed that the cap 30 should be adjustable in its angle of rotation by means of a screw 33 engaging in a curved slot 32.

The rotatable mounting of the flap 4 on the yoke 20 may also be effected thereon directly, e.g. by means of bearings which enclose the yoke onto the side parts.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An alarm device, for indicating the initiation of calving in cows, comprising a pivotable stirrup for covering the vagina outlet, said stirrup being associated with an electrical switch contact which responds to pivotal movements for actuating a warning signal, said device having a securement ring for slipping onto the tailstock and carrying a yoke for arrangement therebelow, said stirrup being connected to swivel on the ends of the yoke and formed as a flap comprising a grid frame, the upper edge of the flap being shaped downwardly in the centre area relative to the side parts connected to the ends of the yoke so that in its operating condition the flap covers the vagina but not the rectum of the animal whereby with the yoke and the side parts, a passage is left in use for the outlet of faeces.

2. An alarm device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrical switch is connected directly to the yoke and a switch trip is secured to the flap to swivel about the yoke ends for cooperation with the switch.

3. An alarm device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch trip is adjustable about the swivel axis relatively to the flap.

4. An alarm device as claimed in any of Claims 1-3 wherein a thermo delay relay is provided in the circuit from the electrical switch to the warning signal mechanism.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 14 wherein the sides of the upper lateral portions of the flap, opposed to the animal, subtend an obtuse angle relatively to the general plane of the flap.

6. An alarm device as claimed in any of claims 1-5, wherein the yoke is of plastics material.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is formed with mutually parallel upstanding grid bars.

8. An alarm device of the kind specified for giving an indication signalling the initiation of calving of cows and substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. In this manner a free opening 28 is formed between the yoke 20 and the flap 4 and is arranged, when the device is applied, in the area of the rectum of the cow and thus the passage of excrement is unhindered; part of the flap 4, formed by the open grid covering the vagina area, wherefor the grid bars 24 are shown, does not inhibit normal urination. In order to prevent detachment of the apparatus if the anal area curves somewhat outwardly, the flap, as shown in Fig. 4, is offset with a backward bend in its upper area in an obtuse angle between the side parts 27 and the lower part 29 of the flap 4. A cap 30 (Fig. 5) with an abutment 31 which, upon pivoting of the flap 4 and the retaining block 23, trips the switch contact 13 provided on the yoke 20, is located on one of the two retaining blocks 23. In order to adapt the device to the anatomy of the cow, it is proposed that the cap 30 should be adjustable in its angle of rotation by means of a screw 33 engaging in a curved slot 32. The rotatable mounting of the flap 4 on the yoke 20 may also be effected thereon directly, e.g. by means of bearings which enclose the yoke onto the side parts. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An alarm device, for indicating the initiation of calving in cows, comprising a pivotable stirrup for covering the vagina outlet, said stirrup being associated with an electrical switch contact which responds to pivotal movements for actuating a warning signal, said device having a securement ring for slipping onto the tailstock and carrying a yoke for arrangement therebelow, said stirrup being connected to swivel on the ends of the yoke and formed as a flap comprising a grid frame, the upper edge of the flap being shaped downwardly in the centre area relative to the side parts connected to the ends of the yoke so that in its operating condition the flap covers the vagina but not the rectum of the animal whereby with the yoke and the side parts, a passage is left in use for the outlet of faeces.

2. An alarm device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrical switch is connected directly to the yoke and a switch trip is secured to the flap to swivel about the yoke ends for cooperation with the switch.

3. An alarm device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch trip is adjustable about the swivel axis relatively to the flap.

4. An alarm device as claimed in any of Claims 1-3 wherein a thermo delay relay is provided in the circuit from the electrical switch to the warning signal mechanism.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 14 wherein the sides of the upper lateral portions of the flap, opposed to the animal, subtend an obtuse angle relatively to the general plane of the flap.

6. An alarm device as claimed in any of claims 1-5, wherein the yoke is of plastics material.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is formed with mutually parallel upstanding grid bars.

8. An alarm device of the kind specified for giving an indication signalling the initiation of calving of cows and substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.