US4217575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parturition warning devices
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-02-28
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Granted: 1980-08-12
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Expires: 1998-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A parturition warning device for an animal includes a first member intended for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, and springs urging the second member against the vulva of the animal. The second member is located to completely cover the vulva of the animal and is arranged to actuate an electrical switch when displaced, away from the vulva, indicative of a positive issue from the vulva in the early stages of birth, to activate an alarm system.
Inventors
- 👤 Rene Lorette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61D; A61D17/00; A61D17/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto about a pivotal axis alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; coil spring means, concentric with said pivotal axis between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said coil spring means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof; and said coil spring means including at least a first straight limb engaging said second member and a second straight limb engaging an actuating member for said electrical switch means, the arrangement being such that pivotal displacement of said second member in said second direction away from the vulva of the animal increases the tension in said coil spring means and thereby the force applied to said actuating member for said electrical switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto about a pivotal axis alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; coil spring means, concentric with said pivotal axis between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said coil spring means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof; and said coil spring means including at least a first straight limb engaging said second member and a second straight limb engaging an actuating member for said electrical switch means, the arrangement being such that pivotal displacement of said second member in said second direction away from the vulva of the animal increases the tension in said coil spring means and thereby the force applied to said actuating member for said electrical switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical switch means is mounted on said first member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second member comprises a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 3, further comprising means for adjusting the location of said vulva covering member relative to said first member in the length direction of said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second member is made from a rigid solid or preforated metal or plastics material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, in combination with an alarm arrangement, and wherein said electrical switch means of the said device when actuated completes an electrical circuit for said alarm arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein said alarm arrangement includes a visual alarm and/or an audible alarm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
200 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, having a size and being arranged to cover both the vulva and the anus of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
200 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, having a size and being arranged to cover both the vulva and the anus of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 8, further comprising means for attaching said second member to the upper regions of the tail of the animal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
224 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member being chamfered, curved, or otherwise reduced in thickness at its upper edge; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
224 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member being chamfered, curved, or otherwise reduced in thickness at its upper edge; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
224 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member having a concave contact surface directed toward the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, or constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
224 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member having a concave contact surface directed toward the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, or constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
225 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member being shaped to make pressure contact with the perineal region of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
225 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal, said second member comprising a vulva covering member supported from said first member on two substantially parallel arms, said vulva covering member being shaped to make pressure contact with the perineal region of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; and electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
234 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof; and an insert member intended to be inserted within the vagina of the animal and to displace said second member in said second direction to a position whereat said electrical switch means is actuated after a predetermined movement of the amniotic sac down the vagina.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
234 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm system indicative thereof; and an insert member intended to be inserted within the vagina of the animal and to displace said second member in said second direction to a position whereat said electrical switch means is actuated after a predetermined movement of the amniotic sac down the vagina.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination set forth in claim 13, wherein said insert member comprises a cylindrical body with hemispherical ends of such dimensions as to fill the vaginal cavity without risk of expulsion by vulva contractions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 13, wherein said insert member comprises a resilient body covered by an impermeable skin or film.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
252 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm arrangement indicative thereof; and said alarm arrangement having an electrical circuit including a delay device intended to be fully operated only after said electrical switch means has been closed, and remained closed, for a predetermined period of time, said delay device comprising an adjustable timing delay and said predetermined period comprising a period of time longer than the normal time for the defecation of the animal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
252 words
An animal parturition warning device comprising: a crupper strap including a portion adapted to be passed under the tail of an animal; a first member fixedly attached to said crupper strap for stable location beneath the tail but above the anus of the animal; a second member depending from said first member and displaceable relative thereto alternatively in a first direction toward the animal and in a second direction away from the animal, said second member, when moved toward the animal, completely covering the vulva of the animal; resilient means, between said first member and said second member, for constantly biasing said second member relative to said first member in said first direction into contact with the animal; said second member being displaced relative to said first member in said second direction against the biasing force of said resilient means by a positive issue from the vulva of the animal in the early stages of birth; electrical switch means, positioned to be actuated by the displacement of said second member in said second direction, for detecting the early stages of birth and for activating an alarm arrangement indicative thereof; and said alarm arrangement having an electrical circuit including a delay device intended to be fully operated only after said electrical switch means has been closed, and remained closed, for a predetermined period of time, said delay device comprising an adjustable timing delay and said predetermined period comprising a period of time longer than the normal time for the defecation of the animal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3273559A
Cited
DE2618821B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-12 | 1984-02-11 | 1984-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-12 | 1988-02-11 | 1988-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-12 | 1992-02-11 | 1992-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |