WO2012153047A1

WO2012153047A1 - Device for the notification of parturition

Info

Publication number: WO2012153047A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/050995
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexis BONLEUX
Original assignee: Foal Option
Priority date: 2011-05-12
Filing date: 2012-05-04
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Also published as: FR2974999A1; FR2974999B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the notification of parturition for a quadruped mammal, characterized in that it includes a pants portion forming a passage, a sensor, and a transmitter, the passage being provided such that two opposite edges are spread apart at the same time as the pelvis of the animal during parturition, the pants also including means for attaching the sensor between said two opposite edges, said sensor being provided to detect the spreading of the pelvis and to transmit a corresponding signal to the transmitter, the transmitter being designed to transmit a radio notification signal.

Description

DEVICE FOR ALERTING A DROP

The present invention relates to a device for alerting a breeder of farrowing, or parturition, of one of his animals, particularly in large mammals, including cows and mares.

The births are often at night, and the rapid intervention of a human is a guarantee of survival for the newborn. For example, the morbidity of foals at birth is about 20% in the wild, and 5% in a breeding.

Due to the growing interest in the sport horse, several methods and devices have been developed and are used to detect the imminence of a foaling.

A first of the existing devices allows detection by sweating. Indeed, when the mare calves, she sweats profusely. A sensor is placed on the neck of the mare. When sweat is detected, it transmits a radio signal to a receiver placed in the stable. However, the presence of sweat on the animal may be due to other factors, including heat or disease. Although inexpensive, this device is unreliable and its random trigger.

A second of the existing devices is a gyroscopic device that can detect the position of the mare, especially if it rolls or goes to bed, which can be a sign of imminent calving. These measures is also particularly unreliable, since the mare can lie down or roll, without getting ready to foal.

A third of the existing devices is a device that can detect the dilatation of the vulva. A miniaturized transmitter is sutured on one of the lips of the vulva of the mare. One wire is sutured on another lip and attached to the detector by a magnet. During the farrowing, the vulva expands to let the foal pass and the magnet is detached from the transmitter that emits a radio signal to a receiver placed in the stable. Such a device is much more reliable than those previously described. However, it has many disadvantages. In particular, the installation of the device requires the intervention of a veterinarian to suture it to the lips. In addition, the miniaturized transmitter has a short range, which is detrimental, especially when the mare is away from his stable. It also has a low autonomy, about 3 hours in emission condition, which combines with an impossibility to replace the batteries and check their condition. The suture creates a significant risk of vulvar infections. Finally, it requires a staff specifically trained in the use and maintenance of such a device. Overall, such a device is particularly expensive.

The aim of the invention is to propose a reliable warning device which makes it possible to reduce the morbidity rate during delivery, while increasing the comfort for the female as well as that of the breeder who does not need to ensure, without the installation of the device does not require the intervention of a veterinarian.

In the description, the foal of a mare will be taken as an example, but, of course, a device according to the invention is quite suitable for use on other animals, in particular cows or giraffes.

To achieve its purpose, the invention provides a warning device of a farrowing by a quadruped mammal, characterized in that it comprises a pant form forming a passage between two opposite edges of the breeches intended to deviate l one of the other at the same time as the basin mammal during the farrowing, the panty further comprising means for attaching a sensor for detecting the spacing of the pelvis and a transmitter for transmitting a corresponding radio alert signal. The device may include the sensor and / or the transmitter. Their fixing means are advantageously removable fastening means.

The sensor may comprise detection means adapted to open an electrical detection circuit, when the edges deviate and / or the passage of the newborn, preferably a first and a second contact adapted to detach one of the the other when the edges move apart and / or when the newborn passes.

The detection means may comprise a housing and a receptacle together forming the closed detection circuit when said receptacle is connected to said housing, the sensor further comprising a pull wire fixed to said receptacle, the pant comprising means for securing the housing adjacent one of the edges (16) and means for securing the wire in the vicinity of the opposite edge.

Alternatively, the detection means may comprise a housing and a magnet provided to keep the detection circuit closed when it is suitably disposed near said housing, the sensor further comprising a pull wire fixed to said magnet, the pant comprising means for fixing the housing in the vicinity of one of the edges, means, preferably a pocket, for positioning the magnet removably close to said housing, and means for securing the wire in the vicinity of the opposite edge.

The panty is advantageously open, so that it does not interfere with urination and defecation.

The pants may include means for attaching the transmitter to the tail of the animal. It may also include means of protection for the transmitter, preferably a flap canvas.

The device may comprise two sub-leg straps and means for fixing each strap advantageously detachable by traction, around a respective leg, the fastening means preferably comprising a velvet system and hooks, for example of the type supplied under the trademark Velcro ™.

The device may further comprise at least one anterior strap, preferably two anterior straps, arranged to allow the attachment of the pants to a harness, in the vicinity of the mammalian shoulders.

In addition, the device may comprise removable traction fixing means, for maintaining the edges between them, in the vicinity of the crotch.

Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a pant according to the invention, worn by a mare, side view;

- Figure 2 is a rear view of the pants of Figure 1, still worn by the mare; and,

- Figure 3 is an unfolded view, flat of the pants of Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the position of a panty 1 according to the invention, when worn by a mare 2 which is to be alerted to foaling. In the example illustrated, the panty 1 comprises in particular three pieces of fabric 4, 5, 6 including an upper piece 4, two side pieces 5 and a caudal piece 6, two anterior straps 7, and two sub-leg straps 8.

The panty 2 further supports a sensor 9 and a transmitter 10 which are mounted removably.

The caudal part 6 is intended to be fixed around the tail of the mare at its root. The caudal piece further comprises means for attaching the transmitter 10 removably. It also allows you to wrap the transmitter to protect it. In the example shown, the caudal part 6 is made of fabric, for example cotton.

The upper piece 4 has a substantially trapezoidal shape which extends between two lateral seams 14, from the caudal part 4, flaring forward, so that it covers the kidneys of the mare 2. In the illustrated example, the upper part 4 is fabric, for example cotton.

Each lateral piece 5 extends from a respective lateral seam 14 which solidifies it with the upper piece 4. Each lateral piece 5 has a substantially triangular shape, one of the three sides 14, 15, 16 being formed by the respective seam 14. The other two sides 15, 16 are free. In the example illustrated, the side pieces 5 are made of an extensible fabric, for example of the type supplied under the Lycra ™ brand, so that when the breeches are worn by a mare, the lateral piece 5 comes to conform to the upper thighs of the breeches. the mare, without hindering the movement.

Each anterior strap 7 is attached by a proximal end to an anterior end 17 of a respective seam 14; a carabiner 18 is mounted at a distal end of each strap 7. In the use position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each front strap 7 extends substantially horizontally along a respective side of the mare and is fixed by through its respective carabiner, in the vicinity of a shoulder, to a harness 19. The harness can be of a known model and does not form part of the invention. Thus, the pants is held forward, so that it can not slide spontaneously backwards.

Each sub-leg strap 8 is sewn by a proximal end at a junction 20 of the free sides 15, 16 of a respective side piece 5. It is intended to pass between the thighs of the mare and to be fixed by its distal end 21, according to the arrows F shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3, at the anterior end 17 of the seam 14. Thus, the sub-straps 14 8 leggings ensure the maintenance of the pants around the thighs of the mare 2, at the same time they maintain the lateral parts stretched against the thighs. Preferably, the anterior end 17 of each seam 14 and the distal end 21 of the respective sub-leg strap 8 comprise complementary quick-fastening means 23, 24. Advantageously, these quick coupling means can be detachable means under the effect of traction, so that, during foaling, if the foal is impeded in one of the side pieces 5, it can easily be released . Preferably, the fastening means may be velvet type and hooks, for example provided under the trademark Velcro ™.

Thus arranged on the mare, the pants form a slot 26 opposite the vulva 27 of the mare 2. The slot 26 is defined by two edges 16, each corresponding to a free side 16 of a side piece 5 respective, which free side 16 extends substantially from the caudal part 6. In order to maintain the edges 16 close together, the edges comprise buttoning means 29 in the crotch. The slot 26 thus forms a passage 26 for the foal during foaling. Preferably, the buttoning means 29 are detachable under the effect of traction, so that, during foaling, the edges 16 can move freely from one another at the same time as the pelvis to let the passage to the nascent foal. In the example shown, the buttoning means are three snaps each of whose edges 16 comprises a means complementary to the other.

In addition, each of the straps 7.8 comprises a loop 31 for adjusting its length according to the morphology of the mare.

As is particularly illustrated in Figure 2, besides the pants 1 as described above, a device according to the invention further comprises a sensor 9 and a transmitter 10, worn by the pants 1, to alert foaling.

The sensor comprises a housing 32 disposed in a pocket 33 formed in the pants 1 in the vicinity of the left edge 16 of the slot 26, substantially at height of the vulva 27. The sensor 9 comprises detection means 34, 35, formed of a plug 34 and a pull wire 35. In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the socket 34 is connected to the housing 32, opposite the right edge 16 of the slot 26. The plug 34 ensures by its connection the electrical continuity of an electrical detection circuit, that is to say to say that it keeps this closed circuit. The pulling wire 35 is fixed to the socket 34. In the position of FIG. 2, it passes through a loop 36 formed in the edge 16 opposite that of the pocket 33, that is to say formed in the right edge. Thus, the pulling wire is disposed across the slot, substantially vis-à-vis the vulva 27. Several loops are formed in the right edge 16 in order to adjust the height of the pull wire according to the relative positions vulva 27 and panties 1.

The transmitter 10 is carried by the caudal part 6. It is electrically connected to the housing 32 by a cable 38.

During foaling, the separation of the pelvis of the mare and / or a push of the nascent foal pulls on the wire 35 so that the plug 34 disconnects from the housing 32. The socket no longer ensuring the continuity of the circuit detection, this circuit is open, this triggers an electric warning signal. The electric warning signal is transmitted to the transmitter via the cable 38, and then transmitted in the form of a radio alert signal. The radio alert signal is then received by a receiver that can be placed in a stable occupied by the mare, or in the vicinity of a meadow in which the mare is located.

Preferably, and to avoid untimely alerts, it is preferred that the gauge of the basin is not sufficient to trigger the alert. Thus, it is preferred that the alert be triggered by traction, exerted back on the pull wire, by the passage of the foal. The delay, one or two minutes, caused by this adjustment, is negligible compared to the duration of foaling which, without human intervention, lasts about fifty minutes. This adjustment can be achieved by using a sufficient length of pull wire, so that it is not stretched only by the gap of the basin. Preferably, the power supply of the sensor and / or the transmitter is made using batteries, easily replaceable, for example batteries.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments which have just been described, but on the contrary the invention is defined by the following claims.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching that has just been disclosed.

Thus, in particular, the canvas parts can be made in one piece. The pieces may not be in the same number and arranged differently, without the general arrangement of the pants differs.

In pants according to the invention, all or part of the cloth parts can be replaced by a system of straps.

Moreover, other detection means can be used. Thus, one can use a magnet instead of the plug, attached to the pull wire. The sensor is designed so that when the magnet is properly positioned near the housing, it keeps the detection circuit closed, and when the lover moves away, the detection circuit is opened, triggering the alert. In this embodiment there may be provided a pocket for receiving the magnet, and suitably disposed near the pocket containing the housing; during the farrowing, the traction wire dislodges the magnet from its pocket which triggers the alert. This embodiment has the advantage of being able to produce an isolated housing in which no dirt, liquid or solid, can penetrate.

A detection device according to the invention is particularly advantageous. It can be removed during the day and worn only at night. The sensor and the transmitter being removable, the pants can be washed as necessary.

Claims

claims

1. Warning device for a farrowing birth by a quadruped mammal (2), characterized in that it comprises a panty shape (1) forming a passage (26) formed between two opposite edges (16) of the breeches ( 1) provided to deviate from each other at the same time as the mammal's pelvis during the farrowing, the breeches further comprising means (6,33) for attaching a sensor (9) provided for detecting the gauge of the pelvis and a transmitter (10) for transmitting a corresponding radio warning signal.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the sensor and / or the transmitter.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the fixing means are removable fixing means.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of fabric, preferably an elastic fabric.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor (9) comprises detection means (32,34) adapted to open an electric detection circuit, when the edges (16) deviate and / or the passage of the newborn, preferably a first and a second contact adapted to detach from each other when the edges deviate and / or the passage of the newborn.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the detection means (32,34) comprise a housing (32) and a socket (34) together forming the closed detection circuit when said socket is connected to said housing, the sensor (9) further comprising a pull wire (35) attached to said socket, the panty comprising means (33) for fixing the casing in the vicinity of one of the edges (16) and means for fixing the wire (35) in the vicinity of the opposite edge (16).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first contact is housed in the housing and the plug forms the second contact.

8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the detection means (32,34) comprises a housing (32) and a magnet arranged to keep the detection circuit closed when it is suitably disposed near said housing, the sensor (9) further comprising a pull wire (35) attached to said magnet, the pant comprising means (33) for securing the housing adjacent one of the edges (16), means, preferably a pocket, for positioning the magnet removably close to said housing, and means for securing the wire (35) in the vicinity of the opposite edge (16).

9. Device according to one of claims 6 or 8, characterized in that the housing is sealed.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means (6) for fixing the transmitter to the tail of the animal.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises protection means, preferably a cloth flap, for the transmitter.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises two sub-leg straps (8) and means (23,24) for securing each strap detachably by traction, around a respective leg, said fixing means preferably comprising a velvet system and hooks.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one anterior strap (7), preferably two anterior straps (7), arranged to allow the attachment of the pants (1) to a harness (19), in the vicinity of the mammalian shoulders.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises means (29) for releasably fixing by traction, to maintain the edges (16) between them, in the vicinity of the crotch.