IE86709B1

IE86709B1 - Animal lifting device

Info

Publication number: IE86709B1
Application number: IE20140190A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Kiernan Vincent
Original assignee: Kiernan Vincent
Priority date: 2014-08-06
Filing date: 2014-08-06
Publication date: 2016-10-05
Also published as: GB201418445D0; IE20140190A1; GB2528995A; GB2528995B

Abstract

The present invention relates to an animal lifting device for assisting in animal handling activities. In particular the present invention can be used to lift animals for example to lift a calf from the calving bed during a caesarean section. The present invention can also be used to facilitate the lifting of animal hooves. The present invention extends to an apparatus for use in conjunction with a conventional cattle crush, calving pen or maternity pen. In particular there is provided a crush and an apparatus which allows safe lifting of an animal or part of an animal while avoiding the risk of injury to either the animal or the handler.

Description

ANIMAL LIFTING DEVICE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an animal lifting device for assisting in lifting a calf from the calving bed during a caesarean section. The present invention extends to an apparatus for use in conjunction with a conventional cattle crush, calving pen or maternity pen. In particular there is provided a crush and an apparatus which allows safe lifting of an animal while avoiding the risk of injury to either the animal or the handler.

Background to the Invention Cattle crushes are used on the majority of modern farms, performing a number of functions to assist in the day to day management of the cattle herd. The crush comprises an internal passageway having horizontal bars along the both sides of the passageway which are typically supported by a number of vertical upright bars or posts. The main purpose of the crush is to allow an animal to be held in the crush in a controlled manner, between the side walls which curtail the movement of the animal in the cattle crush. Conventional cattle crushes comprise what is called a head gate at the forward end of the cattle crush. The animal is held in position by the head gate which closes around the neck of the animal thus restricting movement of the animal to facilitate administration of various treatments or to provide assistance to an animal that is giving birth.

Very often animals, such as cows or heifers, have difficulty giving birth and if left unattended, the both the mother and calf are in serious risk of injury and/or death. An animal handler such as a farmer or a vet can provide assistance to an animal in the process of calving, usually by gripping the forelegs of the calf that is emerging and pulling the calf safely out. In certain situations, pulling the calf in such a manner can lead to injury or death of the calf and/or the mother, for example when the calf is unable to made adequate progress through natural birthing with one or more animal handlers pulling using chains or a calf puller after around 15 minutes of applied traction. This may be because the calf is malpresenting on its belly of its back or is in breach position. In other situations, the calf is simply too large to fit through the birth canal because the head and both elbows cannot be pulled into the pelvic canal, even with use of a come-along device like a calf-puller without causing significant injury or death to the calf. In these situations, it is necessary to perform a caesarean section to remove the calf safely.

The current practice during a caesarean section is that the animal handler will make an incision in the animals side and a second incision in the animals uterus. The animal handler will then locate and grip one of the calf s hind feet and tie a calving chain to that hind leg. It is then necessary for a second animal handler to hold up the calving chain while the first animal handler locates and grips the second hind foot of the calf and tie a second calving chain to the second hind leg. The second animal handler then holds up both calving chains. Both animal handlers then use the calving chains to pull the calf out of the uterus as quickly as possible. This requires significant strength and very often a third or fourth animal handler is required if the calf is particularly big and heavy because the calf must be pulled up and out to avoid further damage to the incisions. It is then necessary to ensure that the calf is breathing straight away. The calf is often held upside down for a number of seconds so that the amniotic fluid and any mucous is cleared out of the calfs nose. Again this requires a physically strong animal handler(s) and can result in injury to the calf or animal handler(s) if not carried out completely.

There is a need for an apparatus for assisting the lifting of a calf out of the calving bed in an upwardly direction that is safe for both the calf and the animal handler(s) and is suitable for use in a conventional crush, calving pen or maternity pen.

Summary of the Invention Following extensive testing and research, the present inventor has developed an apparatus to enable the animal handler to safely and easily lift an animal from the calving bed during the caesarean section of a calf while avoiding any risk of injury to either himself or the animal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for lifting an animal from a calf bed during a caesarean section comprising: (i) a rotatable bar, rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket; (ii) a mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush; (iii) a movement facilitating device attachable to the rotatable bar; and (iv) a means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal.

In embodiments, the rotatable bar is capable of rotating in any direction, preferably 45°, more preferably 90 °, more preferably 180 °, and even more preferably 360° in any direction about the vertical axis of the mounting bracket.

In embodiments, the mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush comprises a first sleeve capable of receiving the rotatable bar. In embodiments, the rotatable bar slides through the first sleeve. In embodiments, said first sleeve can be attached to a second sleeve wherein the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush. In embodiments, the second sleeve is attached perpendicular to the first sleeve.

In embodiments, the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush via the side gate which is commonly found at the head-gate end of an animal crush. In embodiments, the mounting bracket can be attached using suitable devices such as a bushing or a stub bearing. In embodiments, the bushing or stub bearing can be used to attach to the hinge bolts of the side gate of the animal crush thereby attaching the rotatable bar to the animal crush.

In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be cylindrical casings. In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be made out of any suitable metal material well known the art.

In embodiments, the animal crush can be a conventional cattle crush or chute or a calving or maternity pen or any suitable holding pen.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device can be a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device can be a ratchet system which can be a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic system.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device can be a puller moveable along a line and attached to the rotatable bar.

In suitable embodiments, the line includes, but is not limited to, rope, steel cable, wire rope or chain linkage.

In embodiments, the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal can be a line attached to a hook or other means suitable for attaching to the hooves of an animal known in the art. In suitable embodiments, the line can be rope, steel cable, wire rope or chain linkage.

In embodiments, the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of an animal can be activated by the movement facilitating device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crush comprising an apparatus for lifting an animal from a calf bed during a caesarean section comprising: (i) a rotatable bar, rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket; (ii) a mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush; (iii) a movement facilitating device attachable to the rotatable bar; and (iv) a means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal.

In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be cylindrical casings. In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be made out of any suitable metal well known in the art.

In embodiments, the crush can be a conventional cattle crush or chute or a calving or maternity pen or any suitable holding pen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of lifting an animal from the calf bed during a caesarean section, the method comprising the steps of attaching a rotatable bar rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket comprising a movement facilitating device to the animal crush; attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of the animal; activating the movement facilitating device so that the animal is lifted; rotating the rotatable bar so that the animal can be moved away from the animal crush and lowered safely to the ground.

In embodiments, the part of the animal that the rotatable bar is attached to is the animal’s hooves. In embodiments, the animal is lifted by the hooves in an upwardly direction. In embodiments, the animal is in an upside position while the animal is being lifted and moved safely away from the animal crush.

In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be cylindrical casings. In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be made out of any suitable metal material known in the art.

In embodiments, the rotatable bar is attached to the animal using an attachment means. In embodiments, the attachment means can be a line attached to a hook or other means suitable for attaching to the hooves of an animal known in the art. In suitable embodiments, the line can be rope, steel cable, wire rope or chain linkage.

In embodiments the line is lowered so that the hook or other suitable means can be attached to the animals hooves.

In embodiments, the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of an animal can be activated by the movement facilitating device. In embodiments, the movement facilitating devices allows for the lowering of the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal and also for the raising of the animal.

In embodiments, the method uses the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention and all embodiments thereof or the crush of the second aspect of the present invention and all embodiments thereof.

Preferred features and embodiments of each aspect of the invention are as for each of the other aspects mutatis mutandis unless context demands otherwise.

Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms 'comprise' or 'include', or variations such as 'comprises' or 'comprising', 'includes' or 'including' will be understood to imply the includes of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the parts of apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention in position on an animal crush.

Figure 4 illustrates the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention in a further position on an animal crush.

Figure 5 illustrates the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention in a further position on an animal crush.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Detailed Description of the Invention The apparatus of the present invention facilitates the lifting of new-born calves safely away from the cow without causing any injury to the calf, the cow or the animal handler. In particular, the apparatus of the present invention facilitates the lifting of a calf from the calf bed during a caesarean section. The apparatus of the present invention facilitates the lifting of a calf out of the calving bed in an upwardly direction that is safe for both the calf and the animal handler(s). The lifting of the calf by the hooves in an upwardly direction so that the calf is upside down allows for mucous or fluids to drain naturally from the calfs nose and wind pipe to reduce the chance of the calf choking and to allow the calf to breathe freely. This enhances the calfs survival rate without any harm or distress to the calf.

The animal crush can also be referred to as a chute, a squeeze chute, a standing stock, cattle race, maternity pen, holding pen or any other well known alternative.

The apparatus (1) of the present invention as described in Figures 1 and 2 comprise a rotatable bar, rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket (2); a mounting bracket (3) for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush; a movement facilitating device (4) attachable to the rotatable bar; and an attachment means (5) for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of an animal.

The rotatable bar (2) of the present invention can be attached by any suitable means to the side wall or bars of the crush (1). In particular, the rotatable bar (2) can be attached to the crush by a mounting bracket (3). The rotatable bar can be configured to rotate around the axis of a vertical of the crush. The rotatable bar can rotate up to 360° in any direction about the vertical axis of the mounting bracket.

In embodiments, the rotatable bar (2) of the present invention is made from a rigid material, typically metal, such as iron, steel or the like. The rotatable bar (2) is designed to be slidable horizontally through the mounting bracket (3). The length and width of the rotatable bar (2) will depend on the size of the bars of the side wall of the crush and can be made to fit any crush.

In embodiments, the mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush comprises a first sleeve (6) capable of receiving the rotatable bar. The rotatable bar can slide through the first sleeve and said first sleeve can be attached to a second sleeve (7) wherein the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush. In embodiments, the second sleeve is attached perpendicular to the first sleeve. See Figure 2.

The second sleeve can be attached to a vertical bar (8) of the animal crush or the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush via the side gate (10) which is commonly found at the head-gate end of an animal crush. The mounting bracket (3) can be attached using suitable devices such as a bushing or a stub bearing. In embodiments, the bushing or stub bearing can be used to attach to the hinge bolts of the side gate of the animal crush thereby attaching the rotatable bar to the animal crush.

In embodiments the first and second sleeve can be cylindrical casings which can be made out of any suitable metal well known in the art.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device (4] can be a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device (4) can comprise a ratchet system which can be a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic system. In the context of the present invention, a ratchet system comprises a ratchet wheel and a pulley system. The ratchet wheel can be of standard design but preferably the ratchet system comprises a ratchet wheel and line for connecting to an attachment means for attaching the rotatable bar (2) to an animal, and in particular to an animal’s hooves. The ratchet wheel can be connected at one end of the rotatable bar, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, and is operated via a pulley system comprising a line as defined above that passes through a pulley wheel. The ratchet wheel comprises a handle that the animal handler physically rotates thus activating the pulley system. The ratchet wheel is rotated thereby lowering the line and the attachment means for attaching the line to the animal so that the attachment means can be connected to animal's hooves. The ratchet wheel is then rotated in the opposite direction so that the line recoils and pulls the animal in an upwardly direction. In particular, the animal is pulled out of the calving bed during a caesarean section.

In embodiments, the movement facilitating device (4] of the present invention can be a puller operated manually, by electric motor, by an engine, pneumatically or hydraulically. The puller employed by the present invention is of standard design and well known to the person skilled in the art. It is lightweight and powerful and easy to operate. When in operation the puller is mounted on the rotatable bar (2] which is horizontally slidable through the mounting bracket (3). The puller comprises a line running through the puller allowing the puller to move along the line. In suitable embodiments, the puller is configured to move along a line including, but not limited to, rope, steel cable, wire rope, chain linkage etc. In one example, the line includes steel cable with a diameter of from 5/16-inch (0.79cm) to 3/4-inch (1.9cm). It is noted that, while specific diameters of the steel cable are stated above, these sizes of steel cable are not intended to be limiting, and it should be understood that the puller can be configured to pull any size of steel cable, or any other type of suitable line.

In certain embodiments the puller is powered manually wherein the animal handler manually moves the puller along the line. Alternatively, the puller can be powered by an electric motor wherein the animal handler simply presses the associated start button and the puller moves along the line. In a further alternative embodiment the puller comprises an engine mounted on the puller which can be operated by pulling the associated lever. In further alternative embodiments, the puller can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically.

In embodiments, the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal (5) can be a line attached to a hook or other means suitable for attaching to the hooves of an animal known in the art. In suitable embodiments, the line can be rope, steel cable, wire rope or chain linkage.

In embodiments, the means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of an animal (5) can be activated by the movement facilitating device.

The invention extends to a crush (11) comprising the above described apparatus for lifting an animal or part of an animal. See Figures 3-5.

In embodiments, the part of the animal that the rotatable bar is attached to is the animal's hooves. The animal is lifted by the hooves in an upwardly direction. In embodiments, the animal is in an upside position while the animal is being lifted and moved safely away from the animal crush.

The apparatus of the present invention requires significantly less physical strength to operate and allows the animal handler to safely lift an animal or a part of an animal.

The crush and the apparatus of the present invention allow the handler to stand away from the animal thereby avoiding the risk of an agitated, struggling animal causing injury to either himself or the animal. The inventor of the present invention has observed that using this apparatus to lift the animal causes less distress to the animal than typical methods.

Such an apparatus for lifting an animal enables a single handler such as a lone farmer or veterinarian to lift an animal from the calving bed during a caesarean section. The use of the animal lifting device of the present invention results in a reduction in human labour requirements associated with lifting animals or parts of animals.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed for use in conjunction with conventional cattle crushes of all sizes and can be retro-fitted to existing crushes. The apparatus of the present invention can be a portable device that can be carried by the animal handler to the where the caesarean section is about to take place and mounted on the existing crush or maternity pen.

The invention is not limited to above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure that various modifications, changes, improvements and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

It is understood that although the above embodiments and accompanying drawings describe the use of the apparatus of the present invention in conjunction with what is known as a right hand cattle crush, it will however be understood that the orientation of the various components of the apparatus may be reversed in order to be suitable for use with a left hand cattle crush.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting an animal from a calf bed during a caesarean section comprising: (i) a rotatable bar, rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket; (ii) a mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush; (iii) a movement facilitating device attachable to the rotatable bar; and (iv) a means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is attached to an animal crush using a bearing and the rotatable bar is rotatable 360° in any direction about the vertical axis of the mounting bracket.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein, the mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush comprises a first sleeve capable of receiving the rotatable bar.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the first sleeve is attached to a second sleeve wherein the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the second sleeve is attached perpendicular to a first sleeve.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein, the movement facilitating device is a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system which can be a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic system.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the movement facilitating device is a puller moveable along a line attached to the rotatable bar.

9. A crush comprising an apparatus for lifting an animal from a calf bed during a caesarean section comprising: (i) a rotatable bar, rotatable about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket; (ii) a mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush; (iii) a movement facilitating device attachable to the rotatable bar; and (iv) a means for attaching the rotatable bar to the animal.

10. The crush as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mounting bracket is attached to an animal crush using a bearing and the rotatable bar is rotatable 360° in any direction about the vertical axis of the mounting bracket.

11. The crush as claimed in claims 9 or 10 wherein, the mounting bracket for attaching the rotatable bar to an animal crush comprises a first sleeve capable of receiving the rotatable bar.

12. The crush as claimed in claim 11 wherein, the first sleeve is attached to a second sleeve wherein the second sleeve can be attached to the animal crush.

13. The crush as claimed in claim 12 wherein, the second sleeve is attached perpendicular to the first sleeve.

14. The crush as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the second sleeve can be attached to a vertical bar or side gate of the animal crush.

15. The crush as claimed in claim 9-14 wherein, the movement facilitating device is a manual device, a device that is powered by an electric motor, a device that is powered by an engine, a pneumatic device or a hydraulic device.

16. The crush as claimed in claim 15 wherein, the movement facilitating device is a ratchet system which can be a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic system.

17. The crush as claimed in claim 15 wherein, the movement facilitating device is a puller moveable along a line attached to the rotatable bar.

18. A method of lifting an animal from a calf bed during a caesarean section, the method comprising the steps of attaching a rotatable bar, comprising a movement facilitating device to the animal crush; attaching the rotatable bar to the animal or part of the animal; activating the movement facilitating device so that the animal is lifted; rotating the rotatable bar about a vertical axis of a mounting bracket so that the animal can be moved away from the animal crush safely.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the part of the animal that the rotatable bar is attached to is the animal's hooves.