WO2014134131A1

WO2014134131A1 - Sow farrowing floor

Info

Publication number: WO2014134131A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/018595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Richard ECKHOFF
Original assignee: Manufacturing Network, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-02-26
Filing date: 2014-02-26
Publication date: 2014-09-04

Abstract

Raised, animal husbandry containment system including at least one sow farrowing floor system for spanning an open space between a plurality of raised structural parts adjacent to the waste containment area. The sow farrowing floor system includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected and slotted flooring sections. The respective flooring sections each include a plurality of integrally formed support beams extending longitudinally beneath the respective upper portions and stops that can prevent each of the respective flooring sections from pivoting about any such hinge by more than about 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent flooring section when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected. The stop and pivotal or hinged connections provide a floor system that is adjustable. Preferred flooring sections further are interconnected with bolts that have bushing assemblies to absorb shock.

Description

SOW FARROWING FLOOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to animal husbandry containment systems, more particularly animal husbandry containment system including an adjustable sow farrowing floor system and related structures.

RELATED ART

[0002] Known animal husbandry containment systems typically include a crate or other containment system to restrain animals. Pigs are know to present challenges during farrowing when mother pigs are known to inadvertently roll over onto baby pigs as the baby pigs are nursing from the mother pig. Crates for pig farrowing are designed to allow baby pigs to nurse from the mother pig without the risk of being crushed if the mother were to roll from one side to another. The crates are generally interconnected with a grated floor that is generally raised above a cement slab, concrete trench or the like, which is positioned below the grated floor for collection and removal of manure and other waste produced by the animals. The grated floor facilitates the passage of animal waste from the crate to the animal waste collection area and the cleaning of the areas where the animals are contained. The

containment systems further include systems for supplying feed and water, extraction systems for extracting the manure and other animal wastes and ventilation systems for communicating fresh air into the area proximate the containment system to maintain a stable temperature and reduce odor associate with the animal waste.

[0003] In such known systems, the floors are linked or connected to other types of flooring to allow for movement of smaller animals such as baby pigs to different areas of the enclosed structure. Known floor systems are typically supported by beams that are generally perpendicular to the floor segments. The floor segments are generally placed on top of the support beams and are either free floating or connected to the support beams. Flooring systems currently used for animal husbandry generally require a plurality of support beams for a series of panels that snap together in an interlocking pattern. Some known animal husbandry containment system floors are self supporting, but such floors have welded support beams that result in weak structural areas and generally are only capable of housing one animal. One further shortcoming of the current floors is that fiberglass beams are occasionally used under the flooring. The installation of fiberglass beams is costly and time consuming. These self-supporting floors do not adapt well to other existing, interlocking floor systems. Another shortcoming of known self-supporting floor systems is that is additional flooring must be purchased from the flooring

manufacturer and installed to fit the specific design of the supported flooring.

[0004] The present invention addresses these and other problems and limitations associated with the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Preferred embodiments include animal husbandry containment systems including a raised containment floor resting upon a plurality of raised structural parts of an animal waste collection area. The raised floor is elevated above the waste collection area so that animal waste can fall or be washed into the waste collection area. In preferred embodiments, the raised floor will include at least one sow farrowing floor system. Each sow farrowing floor system will preferably including a plurality of flooring sections, which are pivotally interconnected. Preferred

embodiments will have two end sections and a middle section. The animal husbandry containment system also includes at least one containment crate for containing a sow proximate the sow farrowing floor system. The preferred end sections and the preferred middle section of the sow farrowing floor system will be pivotally interconnected in series with the middle section interconnecting the respective end sections so that the plurality of end and middle flooring sections can span the animal waste collection area and rest upon the respective structural parts, or raised structures, that partially define the collection area.

[0006] Each of the flooring sections preferably include an upper portion having an upper surface which generally resides in an upper plane and a least two support beams, each having opposing side surfaces that reside in separate, generally vertical planes when the upper plane is in a horizontal plane. In preferred

embodiments, respective support beams will be integral with the upper portion of the respective flooring sections and the generally vertical planes in which the opposing side surfaces of the respective support beams reside will diverge as they extend toward the upper portion so that the support beams will have greater thickness as they extend closer to the upper surface. In addition, each support beam will preferably include at least one aperture for receiving a bolt so that the plurality of flooring sections can be pivotally interconnected by passing a bolt though each of the respective apertures of respective adjacent support beams of two adjacent flooring sections. The bolt is preferably surrounded by a resilient bushing assembly designed to minimize or cushion shock to the respective flooring sections of the preferred floor system to reduce metal fatigue within the respective sections that may otherwise develop over time. Each end or middle flooring section will preferably include a plurality of transverse slots extending entirely through a center section of the upper portion between the respective support beams of each of the respective flooring sections so that animal waste can either pass through respective end and middle flooring sections or be washed through with water. In preferred embodiments, the transverse slots will be transverse to and span perpendicular to the respective support beams so as to provide greater traction for a sow within the containment crate.

[0007] In further embodiments, one or more of the flooring sections will preferably include an adjustment mechanism that will allow the distance between the ends of the respective pivotally interconnected flooring section to be adjusted. In preferred embodiments this mechanism will include a threaded adjustment bolt and a bolt receiving opening in one of the respective sections having corresponding threads for receiving the threaded adjustment bolt. The bolt will fit tightly into the bolt receiving opening so that that considerable force will be required for a person to turn the bolt with a suitable wrench when the bolt resides within the bolt receiving opening. As the bolt is turned clockwise it will be driven further into the bolt receiving opening and the outer surface on the head of the bolt will draw closer to the bolt receiving opening and adjacent structures of the respective flooring section. The respective flooring section will be constructed and arranged so that the outer surface of the head of the adjustment bolt can limit the degree to which the respective flooring sections can pivot closer together when pivotally interconnected.

[0008] In further embodiments, the integral support beams of the respective support beams will spaced inward from each of the longitudinal edges of the respective flooring section so that the outer longitudinal edge of each of the respective flooring sections will be cantilevered outward toward the outer edge from the outer side surface of the respective support beam. In this way, the outer longitudinal edges of the respective flooring sections will provide an outer shelf that extends outwardly from the respective support beam lying underneath the upper portion. In preferred embodiments, this outer shelf will have a series of parallel slots passing through the upper portion, which are preferably generally perpendicular to the transverse slots in the center section of the upper portion of the respective flooring sections. These parallel slots are helpful in providing superior traction for baby pigs when approaching the sow within the containment crate from the side to suckle and also to provide attachment openings to attach support beams to the outer edge, so that the support beams can extend outwardly away from the sow farrowing floor system, perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the floor system to support a plurality of flooring panels as are described herein.

[0009] Disclosed embodiments include a sow farrowing floor system for spanning an open space between two raised structures, the sow farrowing floor comprising: a plurality of slotted flooring sections, the plurality of flooring sections including a middle section and two end sections, each pivotally interconnected to the middle section; wherein the respective end sections and the middle section each include an upper portion having an upper surface and a lower portion including a plurality of integrally formed support beams extending longitudinally beneath the respective upper portions; each support beam including an aperture proximate an end of the respective support beam; and a plurality of bolts; wherein each of the respective bolts extends through respective apertures proximate the ends of two support beams of two adjacent flooring sections so as to form a hinge that pivotally interconnects the respective flooring sections to one another, wherein the floor system further includes stops that can prevent each of the respective flooring sections from pivoting about any such hinge by more than about 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent flooring section when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected. The sow farrowing floor system may be configured such that the hinge includes a bushing assembly having a rubber bushing. The bushing assembly preferably includes an inner tube and an outer tube; wherein the rubber bushing is positioned in between the inner tube and the outer tube. In various embodiments, proximate the center section of each of the end and middle sections, there are a plurality of slots that are transverse to the respective flooring section; wherein proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the plurality of slots are parallel to the longitudinal edges. The sow farrowing floor system can further be configured such that support beams of the two end sections and of the middle section are pivotally interconnected to one another so that the respective pivotally interconnected support beams generally extend from one end to the other end of the sow farrowing floor system. The sow farrowing floor system preferably further includes a plurality of side slots proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the sow farrowing floor system further comprising a support beam extending from one of the end sections and the middle section;

wherein the support beam is secured within at least one of the plurality of side slots. The stops can be provided by a head of an adjustable bolt that is adjustably secured in the respective end sections proximate the respective hinges when the respective hinges pivotally interconnect the respective end sections with the middle section. In preferred embodiments, each of the stops are adjustable with by loosening or tightening the respective bolt. In preferred embodiments, each of the respective support beams has a pair of side surfaces that reside generally in separate vertical planes when the upper surface is in a horizontal plane. Moreover, in further preferred embodiments, the respective flooring sections are made of cast iron. Preferably, each support beam is oblique in shape such that it slopes toward and is thickest at the respective support beam aperture. In addition, respective support beams are preferably set in from the respective longitudinal edges of the respective flooring sections. The sow farrowing floor system disclosed herein can be used in

combination with a crate for placement upon the sow farrowing floor system for containment of animals on the upper surface of the floor sections.

[0010] The invention further includes a raised, animal husbandry containment system for use to contain animals above a waste containment area having a plurality of raised structural parts adjacent to the waste containment area, said raised, animal husbandry containment system comprising: a sow farrowing floor system for spanning an open space between the plurality of raised structural parts adjacent to the waste containment area such that the sow farrowing floor system rests upon the plurality of raise structural parts above the waste containment area, the sow farrowing floor system including: a plurality of slotted flooring sections, the plurality of slotted flooring sections including a middle section and two end sections, each pivotally interconnected to the middle section; wherein the respective end sections and the middle section each include an upper portion having an upper surface and a lower portion including a plurality of integrally formed support beams extending longitudinally beneath the respective upper portions; each support beam including an aperture proximate an end of the respective support beam; and a plurality of bolts; wherein each of the respective bolts extends through respective apertures proximate the ends of the support beams of two adjacent flooring sections so as to form a hinge that pivotally interconnects the respective flooring sections to one another, wherein the floor system further includes stops that can prevent each of the respective flooring sections from pivoting about any such hinge by more than about 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent flooring section when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected; and a crate for placement upon the sow farrowing floor system for containment of animals on the upper surface of the floor sections. The hinge preferably includes a bushing assembly having a rubber bushing. The bushing assembly preferably includes an inner tube and an outer tube; wherein the rubber bushing is positioned in between the inner tube and the outer tube.

[0011] The animal husbandry containment system is preferably configured such that proximate the center section of each of the end and middle sections, there are a plurality of slots that are transverse to the respective flooring section; wherein proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the plurality of slots are parallel to the longitudinal edges. Preferably, support beams of the two end sections and of the middle section are pivotally interconnected to one another so that the respective pivotally interconnected support beams generally extend from one end to the other end of the sow farrowing floor system. The animal husbandry containment system preferably further includes a plurality of side slots proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the sow farrowing floor system further comprising a support beam extending from one of the end sections and the middle section; wherein the support beam is secured within at least one of the plurality of side slots. In preferred embodiments, each of the stops are provided by a head of an adjustable bolt that is adjustably secured in the respective end sections proximate the respective hinges when the respective hinges pivotally interconnect the respective end sections with the middle section. In various embodiments, each of the stops are adjustable with by loosening or tightening the respective bolt. Preferably, each of the respective support beams has a pair of side surfaces that reside generally in separate vertical planes when the upper surface is in a horizontal plane. In preferred embodiments, each of the respective flooring sections are made of cast iron. Preferably, each support beam is oblique in shape such that it slopes toward and is thickest at the support beam aperture and the respective support beams are set in from the respective longitudinal edges of the respective flooring sections.

[0012] These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred

embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding parts of various embodiments throughout the several views, and in which the various embodiments generally differ only in the manner described and/or shown, but otherwise include corresponding parts when such drawings are considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal containment system 10 having an animal containment crate 20 positioned on top of a raised containment system floor 38, which is positioned above an animal waste collection area 14; the raised containment system floor 38 includes a sow farrowing floor system 40 and interconnected adjacent flooring panels 106a, 106b, which rest upon support beams (not shown) that support the flooring panels 106a, 106b; [0015] Figure 2A is partially exploded, perspective view of the sow farrowing floor system 40 of Fig. 1 showing the top side of the floor system 40; wherein the floor system includes two end flooring sections 42 and one middle flooring section 43;

[0016] Figure 2B is a partially exploded, perspective view of an underside of the floor system 40 of Figs. 1 -2A illustrating how bushing assemblies 80 (see also in Figs 6 and 7 for greater detail with respect to the rubber bushing 82 not shown here) interconnect the plurality of flooring sections 42, 43;

[0017] Figure 3A is a side view of the floor system 40 of Figs. 1 -2B;

[0018] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the floor system 40 of Fig. 3A as seen from the line 3B-3B, showing the respective bushing assemblies and support beams 46, 47 in cross-section, but showing a threaded portion of each of the respective adjustment bolts 70 in phantom;

[0019] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a section of the floor system 40 of Fig. 2B illustrating a hinge section 60 between two flooring sections 42, 43;

[0020] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a section of the floor system 40 of Fig. 3B in which a portion of the end flooring section 42 is cut away to show an adjustment bolt 70 when in place within an opening (not shown) for receiving such a threaded bolt;

[0021] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bushing assembly 80 of Figs. 2A-2B, but not showing the washer 92 or the nut 84;

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled bushing assembly 80 of Figs. 4-6 but not showing the washer 92 or the nut 84;

[0023] Figure 8A is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a portion of the animal containment system 10 of Fig. 1 , with flooring panels 106b partially removed for clarity, wherein the raised floor 38 includes a plurality of support beams 100 extending from the longitudinal edge portion 42d, 43d of the farrowing floor system 40 to support the adjacent steel flooring panels 106b;

[0024] Figure 8B is a partial perspective view of the support beams 100 of Fig. 8A as they are secured to a flooring section 42 of the floor system 40;

[0025] Figure 8C is a partial, perspective view of the support beams 100 of Figs. 8A-8B as they are secured to the flooring sections 42, 43 of the floor system 40 with brackets 102 and bolts 104;

[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective schematic view of one embodiment of another animal containment system 10, largely similar to that of Fig. 1 , wherein the animal containment system 10' includes two farrowing crates 20, each crate 20

interconnected with and resting upon a farrowing floor system 40, which is interconnected to the other with support beams 100 that are designed to support flooring panels (not shown);

[0027] Figure 10 is a perspective schematic view of further embodiment of the animal containment system 10, wherein the animal containment system 10 includes two farrowing crates 20, each crate 20 interconnected with and resting upon a farrowing floor system 40, which is interconnected to the other with support beams 100 that are designed to support flooring panels in a manner similar to that shown in the animal containment system 10' of Fig. 9, but wherein steel flooring tiles 106b are placed on support beams 100 and plastic flooring tiles 106a are interlocked to one another and installed on the support beams 100; and

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a partial schematic view of a sow S in farrowing crate 20 of the animal containment system 10 of Fig. 1 and a baby pig B on steel flooring panels 106b proximate the crate 20 illustrating the general position of the animals S, B with respect to transverse central slots 42a, 43a and longitudinal side or outer slots 42c, 43c. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Figures 1 -1 1 illustrate preferred animal husbandry containment systems 10 and elements thereof. The animal husbandry containment systems 10 preferably include at least one farrowing crate 20 positioned on a containment system floor 38, which includes one or more farrowing floor systems 40. The farrowing crates 20 can be any of the type currently known and used in the industry.

[0030] Preferred sow farrowing floor systems 40 preferably include three, or perhaps more, grated flooring sections: two end flooring sections 42 and at least one middle flooring section 43 between the two end flooring sections 42. It is possible that the floor system 40 could include two sections, however, it is believed that three or more sections are most practical for installation as each flooring section is quite large and heavy. In preferred embodiments, each floor system 40 is self supporting. The flooring sections 42, 43 are preferably cast iron slotted grates having respective upper portions 42f, 43f each having an upper surface 42g, 43g and a lower surface 42h, 43h. The respective upper portions 42f, 43f each have a center portion 42b, 43b that extends between to integral support beams 46, 47 that extend longitudinally on the lower surface 42h, 43h of the respective flooring sections 42, 43 proximate a location where the greatest portion of the weight of the sow is most likely to be. The respective support beams 46, 47 are set in from the respective longitudinal edges 42e, 43e of the respective flooring sections 42, 43, and longitudinal edge portions 42d, 43d of the respective flooring sections 42, 43 provide a cantilevered shelf to which further support beams 100 can be secured. The respective center portions 42b, 43b are perforated by a plurality of transverse slots 42a, 43a, respectively, which extend perpendicularly to the integral support beams 46, 47. The cantilevered shelf or longitudinal edge portion 42d, 43d are perforated by a plurality of

longitudinally extending slots 42c, 43c, which provides traction for baby pigs attempting to suckle from the sow and also providing attachment opening for securing support beams 100 that will support flooring panels 106a, 106b extending away from the longitudinal edges 42e, 43e of each of the respective flooring sections 42, 43. Additional support is also provided beneath the center portion 42b, 43b of each of the respective flooring sections 42, 43 by integral support ridges 44, 45, which extend side to side between the two support beams 46, 47 under each of the respective center portions 42b, 43b of the respective flooring sections 42, 43. Each support beam 46, 47 preferably has apertures 48, 49 for receiving a bushing assembly 80 that is used to pivotally interconnect the respective flooring section 42, 43. Each of the respective support beams 46, 47 of each of the respective flooring sections 42, 43 have a pair of side surfaces 46a and 46b, 47a and 47b on each of the respective sides of the respective support beams 46, 47. The side surfaces 46a, 46b, 47a, 47b reside generally in separate vertical planes when the upper surface 42g, 43g of the respective flooring section 42, 43 is in a horizontal plane. Each support beam 46, 47 is preferably oblique in shape such that it slopes toward and is thickest at its aperture 48, 49. Referring in particular to Figs. 6-7, each preferred bushing assembly 80 includes a rubber bushing 82 positioned in between an inner tube 88 and an outer tube 90. A hex bolt 86 is preferably secured through a central opening in the inner tube 88 with a nut 84 (see also, Figs. 2B and 4). One bushing assembly 80 is preferably secured within each of the apertures 48, 49 in the flooring sections 42, 43 and secured with a nut 84. In preferred embodiments, washers 92 can be used to strengthen the aperture 48, 49 (see, for, example, Fig. 2B). It is not required that the bushing assembly 80 be cushioned with rubber bushing 82, however, this embodiment is preferred because the cushioning absorbs shock, perhaps due to animal thrashing or the like, proximate the respective hinged connection 60. Shock absorption is important because it increases animal comfort and also increases the useful life of the cast iron elements, which can be brittle and subject to fracture over time.

[0031] As discussed above, each of the end flooring sections 42 are preferably hingedly connected to the middle flooring section 43 in a linear fashion as is generally illustrated in Fig. 3A. At opposing lateral ends of the middle flooring section 43, preferably in each support beam is an aperture 48, 49, which corresponds to apertures in the support beams 46, 47 of the end flooring sections 42 such that the apertures 48, 49 can be aligned and the bushing assemblies 80 can be at least partially inserted within the respective apertures 48, 49 to create a hinged connection 60 (see for example, Fig. 2B and 4). It will be understood that apertures 48, 49 do not necessarily have to be part of beams 46, 47 but can be part of other structures of the flooring sections 42, 43. If the flooring sections 42, 43 are not level, the respective flooring sections can be adjusted proximate the hinged connections 60. The nuts 84 are preferably tight enough to secure the bushing assembly 80 within the respective apertures 48, 49 without becoming loose during extended use and stress, but not too tight such that the hinge connection 60 cannot pivot freely as pivoting function is needed for folding during installation and adjustment of the flooring sections 42, 43 over time. Each bushing assembly 80 can be adjusted for tightness, for example, with two wrenches (not shown).

[0032] In preferred embodiments, integrally formed or cast into each of the respective end flooring sections 42 are two apertures or bolt receiving openings 50 each for receiving a threaded adjustment bolt 70 having a bolt head 72. Each adjustment bolt 70 is connected to the end flooring section 42, proximate a hinge connection 60, such if the bolt 70, once secured in the respective bolt receiving opening 50, is unscrewed to extend further away from the respective end section 42 and out of the respective aperture 50, the bolt head 72 extends closer to the middle section 43 and, thus, decreases a gap 51 between the respective bolt head 72 and the middle flooring section 43 (see, Fig. 5). It will be understood that the gap 51 width may not be uniform depending on how corresponding adjustment bolts 70 are adjusted, however, users will appreciate that adjustments to insure that the gap between the bolt head 72 and the edge 73 of the middle section 43 on each side of the middle section 43 will need to be equalized. Once the adjustment bolts 70 are adjusted to place the bolt head 72 in a location where it limits the pivoting of the respective end flooring section 42 about the hinge 60 with respect to the middle flooring section 43 as desired, thereby providing a stop to further rotation of the respective flooring section 42, 43, a nut 74 can be tightened on the distal end of the bolt 70 to fully secure the bolt 70 in the desired position. As the flooring sections 42, 43 rotate about the respective hinge connection 60, the adjustment bolt head 72 limits the rotational movement of the adjacent flooring sections 42, 43 about the hinge connection 60 (see, for example, Figs. 4-5) , thereby providing a stop to further rotation of the respective flooring section. Each adjustment may be about one quarter to about one half of a rotation of bolt 70, perhaps more or less depending on the adjustment needed. As is illustrated in Fig. 5, the respective stops provided by the respective bolt heads 72 can prevent each of the respective flooring sections 42, 43 from pivoting about the respective hinges 60 by more than about 180 degrees with respect to adjacent flooring sections when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected. [0033] In preferred embodiments, each flooring section 42, 43 includes a plurality of staggered central slots 42a, 43a that are generally perpendicular to the support beams 46, 47. The central slots 42a, 43a are located between longitudinal edges 42e, 43e and between the respective support beams 46, 47 of the each the preferred flooring sections 42, 43. Proximate the longitudinal edges 42e, 43e of each flooring section 42, 43 are a plurality of staggered outer slots 42c, 43c. Preferably, the outer slots 42c, 43c extend parallel to the respective support beams 46, 47 and

perpendicular to the central slots or transverse slots 42a, 43a. The respective slots outer slots 42a, 43a, 42c, 43c are preferably arranged and configured such that animal waste such as manure and the like passes through the flooring sections 42, 43 and can be collected in the animal waste collection area 14. The flooring sections are preferably designed to further facilitate cleaning of the containment area with water from a hose under normal or enhanced pressure. The slots 42a, 43a also help the sow to have enhanced traction within the containment crate 20 and slots 42c, 43c help provide enhanced traction for baby pigs in the litter when the baby pigs are moving toward the sow to suckle. The plurality of outer slots 42c, 43c are also important as the support beams 100 are secured within the outer slots 42c, 43c. If the positioning of the outer slots 42c, 43c is such that the outer slots 42c, 43c extend along a substantial portion of each flooring section 42, 43, there is great versatility in that the support beams 100 can be secured to the flooring sections 42, 43 at any location where there is such a slot 42c, 43c. Preferably, the respective rows of outer slots 42c, 43c are staggered such that support beams 100 can be secured along any portion of the longitudinal edge of the respective flooring section 42, 43 (see, for example, Fig. 8A-8C).

[0034] As previously discussed, the preferred raised containment floor 38, which includes the respective farrowing flooring systems 40, can also include support beams 100 for supporting other types of floors (e.g. smaller grate steel floor panels 106b or plastic floor panels 106a for baby pigs). In preferred embodiments, the support beams 100 are configured such that plastic flooring panels 106a currently available in the marketplace can be secured to the support beams 100 with hooks 107 formed by slots in the plastic floor panels 106a or J hooks as is known for use in association with such plastic flooring panels 106a (see, for example, Fig. 10). Alternatively, the plastic floor panels 106a may just rest on the support beams 100. Steel flooring panels 106b can be secured to the support beams 100 with J-hooks (not shown) or other fasteners or can alternatively, simply be placed on the support beams 100.

[0035] In such embodiments, the support beams 100 include a bracket 102. The bracket 102 is arranged and configured to be positioned underneath the longitudinal edge of a flooring section 42, 43 such that the bracket 102 is directly underneath the respective flooring section 42, 43. Each bracket 102 further includes at least one aperture (not shown) that can be aligned with outer slots 42c, 43c of one flooring section 42, 43 and secured to the respective flooring section with fasteners such as nuts and bolts 104. It will be understood that support beams can come in a variety of lengths, preferably, about 18 inches to about 3 feet.

[0036] The self-supporting raised containment floor 38 and the farrowing floor system 40 of Figs. 9-10 can be installed over an animal waste trough 12 having a waste collection area 14 as illustrated in Fig. 1 . The trough structure 12 can be made of concrete, stainless steel or the like, and will typically have a pair of raised support structures 16A, 16B on opposite sides of the waste collection area 14. A ridge 52 at respective proximal ends of the respective end flooring section 42 is designed to either rest upon or be secured to the respective raised support structures 16A, 16B so the fully assembled farrowing floor system 40 can span the collection area 14.

[0037] As discussed above, the preferred flooring system is supported with integrally cast support beams 46, 47 that run longitudinally along the bottom of each flooring section 42, 43. Therefore, the support beams 46, 47 can be positioned anywhere on the flooring section 42, 43, as desired. In preferred embodiments, the support beams 46, 47 are positioned directly underneath the animal, which provides superior strength as compared to known flooring systems, which are typically supported at the outer corners or edges of the flooring system. Such strength advantages are illustrated in the test reported below. [0038] To test the strength of the flooring system discussed herein, an experiment was conducted by placing a fully assembled 7 foot flooring section on concrete blocks at each end of the flooring section. Wood blocks were placed on the center flooring section, where a load would be applied. The purpose of the wood blocks was to allow clearance for a forklift to be able to remove weights at intervals during the experiment to determine if any deflection that occurred would return back to zero when the load was removed or if the deflection was permanent.

[0039] Then, 42 inch wide, 73 pound iron castings were sequentially applied to the flooring system to serve as weights. Measurements were taken at intervals noted below in Table 1 . Measurements included the initial deflection of the flooring sections and the deflection after a period of time to determine if any deflection that occurred was permanent or temporary. The deflection was measured from the floor of the facility to the bottom edge of the iron castings. At 1600 lbs. there were no more iron castings to add for weight so it was decided to add a person weighing approximately 200 lbs. on top of the 1600 lbs. of iron castings. A second person, also weighing approximately 200 lbs. was also added for a total of 2000 lbs. at which point the test was ended since this weight exceeds the estimated maximum load the flooring system would need to withstand. The maximum deflection measured at 2000 lbs. was 2.6 inches, which was reduced to 1 .125 inches when the weight was removed. Upon examination of the flooring system after the experiment, it was determined that the metric grade 10.9 bolts had yielded slightly and not the flooring sections themselves, causing the deflection. At no point was there a total failure of any component of the flooring system.

[0040] Next, a similar experiment was conducted using flooring components commonly found on the market today. The flooring components was of the type including two 24" x 42" gray cast iron flooring sections placed on two 5" x 84" pultruded fiberglass beams. The beams each had a plastic foot placed on each end and were separated with a beam to beam bracket placed at each end between them. The cast iron flooring sections were held in place with four 5" J bolts. All parts except the castings were purchased from Jimdi Inc. of Township, Michigan. This flooring assembly was placed on concrete blocks on each end as with the previous experiment and wood blocks were added to the center where the load would be applied, as before. Then, 42 inch wide, 73 pound iron castings were placed on the flooring assembly as was previously done, stopping occasionally to measure deflection of the castings and removing the weight at intervals to see if the casting deflection would return to its original position. The deflection was measured from the floor of the facility to the bottom edge of the iron castings. Similar to the prior experiment, at 1600 lbs. a person weighing approximately 200 lbs. was added to the load applied. This time however, as the person began stepping onto the stack of iron castings, the fiberglass beams twisted out of shape to the point where the whole assembly collapsed. While this assembly did not seem to deflect as much, it did fail at the approximately 1800 lbs. load level.

[0041] The purpose of this comparison testing was to prove that flooring systems disclosed herein could hold as much weight, if not more, as the commonly used flooring systems in used at the time of filing this application. The results indicate that the flooring systems disclosed herein are at least as strong, if not stronger, than those known and used at the time of filing this application. The results of this test are reported in Table 1 , below.

TABLE 1

Approximate Deflection of disclosed

Load Applied flooring system of the Deflection of known flooring system

(lbs.) invention

Starting point.

No load applied. 9" 13"

730 8.125" 12.75"

0 8.8125" 13"

1 100 7.75" 12.5"

0 8.625" Not measured

1240 7.5625" 12.5"

1440 7.25" Not measured

0 8.625" Not measured

1600 7.125" 12.25"

1800 6.75" Flooring system failure

2000 6.4" Not measured

0 7.875" Not measured

[0042] Preferred containment system floors 38 include at least one flooring systems 40 that are simple to use and install. Preferred flooring systems 40 are self supported, strong, durable and stable. Preferred flooring systems 40 can expand to meet installation, animal farrowing and husbandry requirements. Preferred floor systems 40 are strong, increase animal comfort and provide enhanced traction for animals. Moreover, preferred floor systems 40 easily interconnect to different kinds of flooring types such as steel and plastic flooring panels 106a, 106b. The preferred farrowing floor system 40 is simple to use, includes a limited number of parts, maintains the strength and durability of flooring panels, and the preferred flooring systems 40 reduce the likelihood of animal slippage by increasing traction. As shown in Fig. 1 1 , central slots 42a, 43a in the flooring sections 42, 43 are arranged generally perpendicular to where the sow will be positioned such that there is greater traction for the sow's forward and backward movement. On the sides of the flooring sections 42, 43, proximate where the nursing baby pigs are located, the outer slots 44a, 44c are preferably parallel to the sow, which his perpendicular to the forward and rearward movement of the baby pigs, thus providing the baby pigs with enhanced traction.

[0043] These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred

embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A sow farrowing floor system for spanning an open space between two raised structures, the sow farrowing floor comprising:

a plurality of slotted flooring sections, the plurality of flooring sections including a middle section and two end sections, each pivotally interconnected to the middle section; wherein the respective end sections and the middle section each include an upper portion having an upper surface and a lower portion including a plurality of integrally formed support beams extending longitudinally beneath the respective upper portions; each support beam including an aperture proximate an end of the respective support beam; and

a plurality of bolts; wherein each of the respective bolts extends through the respective apertures proximate the ends of two support beams of two adjacent flooring sections so as to form a hinge that pivotally interconnects the respective flooring sections to one another, wherein the floor system further includes stops that can prevent each of the respective flooring sections from pivoting about any such hinge by more than about 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent flooring section when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected.

2. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein the hinge includes a bushing assembly having a rubber bushing.

3. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 2, wherein the bushing assembly includes an inner tube and an outer tube; wherein the rubber bushing is positioned in between the inner tube and the outer tube.

4. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein proximate the center section of each of the end and middle sections, there are a plurality of slots that are transverse to the respective flooring section; wherein proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the plurality of slots are parallel to the longitudinal edges.

5. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein support beams of the two end sections and of the middle section are pivotally interconnected to one another so that the respective pivotally interconnected support beams generally extend from one end to the other end of the sow farrowing floor system.

6. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of side slots proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the sow farrowing floor system further comprising a support beam extending from one of the end sections and the middle section; wherein the support beam is secured within at least one of the plurality of side slots.

7. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the stops are provided by a head of an adjustable bolt that is adjustably secured in the respective end sections proximate the respective hinges when the respective hinges pivotally interconnect the respective end sections with the middle section.

8. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 7, wherein each of the stops are adjustable with by loosening or tightening the respective bolt.

9. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the respective support beams has a pair of side surfaces that reside generally in separate vertical planes when the upper surface is in a horizontal plane.

10. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein the respective flooring sections are made of cast iron.

1 1 . The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein each support beam is oblique in shape such that it slopes toward and is thickest at the respective support beam aperture.

12. The sow farrowing floor system of claim 1 , wherein the respective support beams are set in from the respective longitudinal edges of the respective flooring sections.

13. The sow farrowing floor system of any of claims 1 -12 in combination with a crate for placement upon the sow farrowing floor system for containment of animals on the upper surface of at least one floor section.

14. A raised, animal husbandry containment system for use to contain animals above a waste containment area having a plurality of raised structural parts adjacent to the waste containment area, said raised, animal husbandry containment system comprising:

a sow farrowing floor system for spanning an open space between the plurality of raised structural parts adjacent to the waste containment area such that the sow farrowing floor system rests upon the plurality of raise structural parts above the waste containment area, the sow farrowing floor system including:

a plurality of slotted flooring sections, the plurality of slotted flooring sections including a middle section and two end sections, each pivotally interconnected to the middle section; wherein the respective end sections and the middle section each include an upper portion having an upper surface and a lower portion including a plurality of integrally formed support beams extending longitudinally beneath the respective upper portions; each support beam including an aperture proximate an end of the respective support beam; and

a plurality of bolts; wherein each of the respective bolts extends through respective apertures proximate the ends of the support beams of two adjacent flooring sections so as to form a hinge that pivotally interconnects the respective flooring sections to one another, wherein the floor system further includes stops that can prevent each of the respective flooring sections from pivoting about any such hinge by more than about 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent flooring section when the respective flooring sections are pivotally interconnected; and

a crate for placement upon the sow farrowing floor system for containment of animals on the upper surface of the floor sections.

15. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein the hinge includes a bushing assembly having a rubber bushing.

16. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 15, wherein the bushing assembly includes an inner tube and an outer tube; wherein the rubber bushing is positioned in between the inner tube and the outer tube.

17. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein proximate the center section of each of the end and middle sections, there are a plurality of slots that are transverse to the respective flooring section; wherein proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the plurality of slots are parallel to the longitudinal edges.

18. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein support beams of the two end sections and of the middle section are pivotally interconnected to one another so that the respective pivotally interconnected support beams generally extend from one end to the other end of the sow farrowing floor system.

19. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of side slots proximate the longitudinal edges of each of the end sections and the middle section, the sow farrowing floor system further comprising a support beam extending from one of the end sections and the middle section; wherein the support beam is secured within at least one of the plurality of side slots.

20. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein each of the stops are provided by a head of an adjustable bolt that is adjustably secured in the respective end sections proximate the respective hinges when the respective hinges pivotally interconnect the respective end sections with the middle section.

21 . The animal husbandry containment system of claim 20, wherein each of the stops are adjustable with by loosening or tightening the respective bolt.

22. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein each of the respective support beams has a pair of side surfaces that reside generally in separate vertical planes when the upper surface is in a horizontal plane.

23. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein the respective flooring sections are made of cast iron.

24. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein each support beam is oblique in shape such that it slopes toward and is thickest at the support beam aperture.

25. The animal husbandry containment system of claim 14, wherein the respective support beams are set in from the respective longitudinal edges of the respective flooring sections.