Patent Application
20080223309
The invention generally relates to an immobilizing sow chute to allow for hoisting and horizontal holding of a sow for foot treatment, all done in a manner that can be accomplished by a single operator.
Lifting devices for animals are generally known. In the most general sense, they often incorporate a winch having a cable attached thereto and some form of sling lifted by the winch to cradle the animal inside of the sling apparatus. While such lifting devices are generally described and known, there is a need for a very specific lifting device, designed especially for sows to allow for foot inspection and treatment. Such a device presents unique problems. For example, an effective immobilizing sow chute must be ‘sow friendly’. That is to say, the chute must be easy to enter, easy to exit, and causes no harm or alarm to the sow when she is restrained. An effective chute must prevent the sow from fighting, squealing, and kicking while her feet are inspected and/or treated.
Another special problem with sows is they are very heavy and that the hoist must allow hoisting of the animal in a manner that does not risk injury either to the animal's legs, shoulders, hips, or cause other internal injuries. Furthermore, the chute must present the sow in a manner which is safe for persons to inspect/treat the sow's feet. One way of avoiding injuries to the animal is to provide adequate support through the sling, while maintaining the animal in a standing position during lifting. Therefore the weight is equally distributed.
Finally, an effective sling to immobilize sows for foot examination must be one which can be operated by a single operator, because many times no one else is around.
A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a sling which solves each of the above problems and fulfills each of the needs created by these problems; that is to say this sow chute is one in which the animal can be easily driven; one in which the animal can be hoisted without high risk of injury; one in which the animal can be immobilized and held substantially horizontally; and one which can be operated by a single operator.
Another object of the invention is to provide an immobilizing sow chute which fulfills each of the above needs and accomplishes each of the above objectives with a device that is easy to manufacture and simple and effective in operation.
The method and means of accomplishing each of the above objectives as well as others will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows.
An immobilizing sow chute to allow hoisting and holding horizontally a sow for foot treatment. The device immobilizes the animal, allows it to be conveniently lifted and allows close work on the animal's feet to provide needed inspection and treatment/therapy without risk of either harm to the animal or the operator by being kicked by the sow.
Referring to the drawings and initially to
It goes without saying that while this general description has been given for sows, the system can be used for gilts, boars or other animals as well. In general it has use for any domestic animal of considerable weight that needs to be held suspended upright for foot inspection.
From the above description it can be seen how the immobilizing sow chute can assist an animal handler in lifting a sow in need of foot examination and perhaps treatment. The sow 52 is driven through entrance 14 to stand in the sling 24 which rests on the ground 54. The sow's feet rest on ground 54 inside of the sling 24 through apertures 38, 40, 42 and 44. Thereafter the user or animal handler raises hand powered winch 26 up under the animal's belly by turning handle 26 so that the sling 24 gently moves into proper position of supporting the belly or underside of the sow 52. After the slack is out, motor driven power winch 46 is operated and since it is operably connected to the cage 50, the cage rises vertically in chute frame 12. The animal then is immobilized and suspended in the air above the ground 54, as shown in
From the above description it can be seen that the animal can be easily driven into the cage 50, will not go through the cage because of bars 18, 20 and 22 and that it can be easily hoisted and maintained in a horizontal position without significant injury risk. Likewise while immobilized it's feet 56 can be examined and, if necessary, treated and then the animal 52 lowered and egress allowed. Importantly, this can all be accomplished by a single operator.
It therefore can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
