IES980728A2 - Safety device for suckling piglets - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety device for protecting suckling pigs from being accidentally crushed by a feeding sow. The device including a support for preventing sudden movements of the sow. The support being restricted in its movement by a resistance means which is adjustable to accommodate sows of varying size and weights and to vary the rate of descent of the sow. <Figure 5>

Description

SAFETY DEVICE FOR SUCKLING PIGLETS The present invention relates to a safety device for protecting suckling piglets frombeing accidentally crushed by a feeding sow.

It is well known in pig husbandry that feeding sows accidentally crush their offspringwhen moving from an upright position to a recumbent position for feeding. Themovement is often a sudden one and offspring mortality can be high.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety device for preventing a sow fromaccidentally crushing one or more piglets when the sow moves from an upright positionto a recumbent position, the safety device comprising a support for the sow whichcontrols the rate of descent.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety device comprises a support paneland a support frame for slowing the rate of descent of a sow from an upright to arecumbent position. Conveniently, the support panel has a curved surface which assists%i supporting the animal in the upright position and allows for a comfortable descent toie recumbent position. The rate of movement is controlled by a resistance means,deally the resistance means is adjustable so that the safety device can be used withnimals of different weights. Conveniently, the resistance means comprises a hydraulicam. n an alternative embodiment of the invention, the safety device comprises a safetyramess assembly, the assembly comprises a set of straps, a strap for the forelimbs and a' strap for the hindlimbs of the animal. These straps are connected to a supportnechanism. The support mechanism is capable of preventing the animal assuming arecumbent position suddenly. The support mechanism slows the rate of descent of theanimal by means of resistance, this resistance is preferably provided by a spring. Thisresistance is conveniently adjustable so as to allow for use of the safety device with animals of different weights and sizes.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show by way of example only two embodiments of asafety device according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an elevation view of a safety device in the first embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 2 shows an end view of the safety device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the safety device in the first embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 4 shows an end view of a pair of safety devices and a sow in an upright position.

Figure 5 shows an end view of the pair of safety devices and the sow in a recumbentposition.

Figure 6 shows a sow S in a support harness. In accordance with the safety device in thesecond embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to figure 2, a support panel 2 is pivotablyattached to a support frame 1 by a support arm 3. There are two support arms 3 fixed atone end to the support frame I and at the other end pivotably attached to the supportpanel 2 at a pivot point 5. The support panel 2 and the support frame 1 are alsoconnected by a resistance device 4. The resistance device 4 is attached at one end to thesupport frame 1 at a pivot point 7 and at the other end to the support panel throughanother pivot point 6. The resistance device 4 allows for movement of the support panel2 against the animal when it moves between an upright position and a recumbentposition. The resistance device 4 is adjustable so that animals of different weights canbe accommodated.

Figure 4 illustrates a pair of safety devices 50 with an animal S in an upright positionbetween the pair of safety devices 50. The support panel 2 is shown in a position withthe lower end of the support panel 2 positioned against the side of the animal S while itis in an upright position. The support panel 2 fits between the fore and hind legs on oneside of the animal S. The support panel moves with the animal S as it lowers itself froman upright position to a recumbent position. As this movement is taking place theresistance devices 4 are slowing the rate of movement of the support panels 2 and hencethe rate of decent of the animal S from its upright position to a recumbent position.

When the animal S moves from a recumbent position to an upright position the supportpanels 2 move as well so that the support panels 2 return to their initial starting positionwith the animal S in an upright position, ready to slow the animals S decent once more.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the safety device. The drawings show asafety harness 60. The harness 60 comprises a pair of strap arrangements 8 ,9. The firststrap arrangement 8 comprises a strap 10 which fits about the forelimbs F of the sow S.The second strap arrangement 9 comprises a strap 11 which fits about the hindlimbs Hof the sow S. Each of these strap arrangements 8, 9 are attached to a respective plate 12.The plates 12 hold the straps 10, 11 in position. The plates 12 have a ring fitting 13.This ring fitting 13 is used to attach the plates 12 to a connecting strap 14. Theconnecting strap 14 is connected to a resistance device 15 by a loop arrangement 16.

The resistance mechanism 15 comprises a spring 17 and a dampner 18. The resistancemechanism 15 is secured to an overhead support. The overhead support must becapable of supporting the w'eight of a sow S. The overhead support may consist of aboom which would allow for movement of the sow S about its pen, while being heldwithin the safety device.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific detailsdescribed herein, which are given by way of example only, and that variousmodifications and alterations are possible.