GB2247955A

GB2247955A - Parturition warning means

Info

Publication number: GB2247955A
Application number: GB9117971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-20
Filing date: 1991-08-20
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Also published as: GB9018242D0; GB9117971D0

Abstract

A parturition warning means comprises a device including a power supply (10) and a transmitter (12) in electrical circuit housed in a liquid-proof casing (14). The device is carried in a sleeve (16) to be secured around the tail (18) of an animal adjacent to its root. A remote receiver is provided to receive any transmission from the transmitter. The circuit of the device has a length of twin wire flex (20) whose outer wire ends are connected to respective ends of an electrical wire loop. The wire (22) of the loop is sewn between opposite locations of the vulva of a female animal and back again whereby the pre-birth dilation of the vagina or the passage of a baby animal being born causes one or other or both of the lengths of the wire between the opposite locations to be broken and a signal to be transmitted. <IMAGE>

Description

WARNING MEANS.

This invention relates to parturition warning means for use with animals as an animal birth alarm.

Despite intensive care and attention being taken by a farmer or other husbandman during the period when the birth of a baby animal, for example a foal, a calf, a kid or a lamb, is expected, there are many occasions which arise when the husbandman is not on hand during parturition resulting in the death of the baby animal and therefore loss of revenue to the husbandman or his/her employer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide parturition warning means which obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

Accordingly, the present invention is a parturition warning means comprising a device including a power supply and a transmitter in electrical circuit housed in a liquid-proof casing, the device being carried in a sleeve to be secured around the tail of an animal at or adjacent to its root, and a remote receiver to receive any transmission from the transmitter, the circuit of the device having a length of twin wire flex whose outer wire ends are connected to respective ends of an electrical wire loop, the wire of the loop being sewn between opposite locations of the vulva of a female animal and back again whereby the pre-birth dilation of the vagina or the passage of a baby animal being born causes one or other or both of the lengths of the wire between the opposite locations to be broken and a signal to be transmitted.

Preferably, the wire of the loop is easily broken.

The wire of the loop is preferably sewn through the labia majora of the vulva and on the outside of each location on the labia majora a button or the like is provided in threaded engagement. The ends of the wire of the loop are preferably secured to a connector positioned on the outside of the button or the like, the ends of the wires of the flex being connected respectively therewith.

Preferably also, the buttons or the like have a convex reverse face.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a perspective view of the rear of a horse to which a parturition warning means has been fitted.

Referring to the drawing, the parturition warning means for use as an animal birth alarm comprises a device for each animal to be monitored. Each device is in a liquid-proof casing 10 and has a battery power supply 12 and a transmitter 14 in electrical circuit.

Each device is to be positioned at the opening of a vagina of a female animal whereby the pre-birth dilation of the vagina or the passage of a baby animal being born causes the circuit of the device to be broken and a signal to be transmitted.

The device is carried in an elasticated sleeve 16 secured around the tail 18 of an animal ie. horse as shown, at or adjacent to its root. The circuit of the device has a length of twin wire flex 20 whose outer wire ends are connected to respective ends of an electrical wire loop. The wire 22 (which is easily broken) of the loop is sewn between opposite locations of the vulva of a female animal and back again. The wire 22 is sewn through the labia majora 24 of the vulva and on the outside of each location on the labia majora a button 26 or the like is provided in threaded engagement. The ends of the wire 22 are secured to a connector 28 positioned on the outside of the button or the like with the ends of the wires of the flex 20 being connected respectively therewith.

The buttons 26 or the like have a convex reverse face to prevent chaffing. A remote receiver (not shown) of known construction is provided to receive any transmissions from the or each transmitter. The remote receiver can be a master with a slave 'bleeper' of known construction being provided for a husbandman or other to carry around with him/her.

In use, the sleeve with the device is fitted onto the tail of the animal near to its root with the wire 22 sewn as shown and described into the labia majora 24 of the vulva of the vagina of the female animal with the lengths of wire of the loop located across the vaginal passage. On the vagina dilating or on the passage of the hooves of a baby animal through the vagina, one or other or both lengths of wire 22 will be broken activating the transmittor to send the signal to the receiver. In the majority of cases, it is necessary for a farmer, a husbandsman, a veterinary surgeon or other person to repair damage caused by the birth by stitching and any damage to the vulva due to the wire 22 cutting into it before breaking is easily repaired.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described above.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A parturition warning means comprising a device including a power supply and a transmitter in electrical circuit housed in a liquid-proof casing, the device being carried in a sleeve to be secured around the tail of an animal at or adjacent to its root, and a remote receiver to receive any transmission from the transmitter, the circuit of the device having a length of twin wire flex whose outer wire ends are connected to respective ends of an electrical wire loop, the wire of the loop being sewn between opposite locations of the vulva of a female animal and back again whereby the prebirth dilation of the vagina or the passage of a baby animal being born causes one or other or both of the lengths of the wire between the opposite locations to be broken and a signal to be transmitted.

2. Warning means as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the wire of the loop is easily broken.

3. Warning means as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire of the loop is sewn through the labia majora of the vulva and on the outside of each location on the labia majora a button or the like is provided in threaded engagement.

4. Warning means as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the ends of the wire of the loop are secured to a connector positioned on the outside of the button or the like, with the ends of the wires of the flex being connected respectively therewith.

5. Warning means as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the buttons or the like have a convex reverse face.

6. Warning means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.