Method and apparatus for detecting standing heat in cattle

Claim 1

A self-contained apparatus for detecting the onset of estrus in cattle, including; a pressure responsive switch disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow, timer means connected directly to said switch means for activation thereby in count up fashion, digital readout means connected to said timer means and disposed to display the elapsed time after mounting of the cow, audible and visible signaling means connected directly to said timer means to emit a warning signal in response to activation of said timer means, means for securing said pressure responsive switch, said time means, said readou means, and said signaling means together in closely adjacent fashion to the base of the tail of a cow; said means for securing including means for displaying said elapsed time directly from the apparatus secured to the cow, and said means for securing further including means for emitting said audible and visible warning signals directly from the apparatus secured to the cow.

Claim 11

An apparatus for detecting the onset of estrus in a cow, comprising; a pressure responsive switch means disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow, timer means connected to said switch means for activation thereby in count up fashion, readout means connected to said timer means and disposed to display the elapsed time after mounting of the cow, signaling means connected to said timer means to emit a warning signal in response to activation of said timer means, sleeve means for securing and supporting said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means on the cow, said sleeve means including a flexible base member adapted to be adhered to the cow adjacent to the base of the tail thereof, a sealable pocket joined to said base member and adapted to retain said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means, said base member including a medial portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom in laterally opposed fashion, said medial portion being adapted to be secured over the rear spinal portion of the cow with said arms extending laterally therefrom, said pocket extending from said medial portion to the distal end portion of one of said arms, said pocket being formed of transparent plastic material to facilitate visualization of said readout means and said signaling means, and a plurality of vent holes in said pocket to facilitate broadcast of audible signals from said signaling means.

Claim 12

An apparatus for detecting the onset of estrus in a cow, comprising; a pressure responsive switch means disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow, timer means connected to said switch means for activation thereby in count up fashion, readout means connected to said timer means and disposed to display the elapsed time after mounting of the cow, signaling means connected to said timer means to emit a warning signal in response to activation of said timer means, sleeve means for securing and supporting said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means on the cow, said sleeve means including a flexible base member adapted to be adhered to the cow adjacent to the base of the tail thereof, a sealable pocket joined to said base member and adapted to retain said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means, said base member including a medial portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom in laterally opposed fashion, said medial portion being adapted to be secured over the rear spinal portion of the cow with said arms extending laterally therefrom, said pocket extending from said medial portion to the distal end portion of one of said arms, said pocket being formed of transparent plastic material to facilitate visualization of said readout means and said signaling means, and a plurality of vent holes in said pocket to facilitate broadcast of audible signals from said signaling means.

Claim 13

An apparatus for detecting the onset of estrus in a cow, comprising; a pressure responsive switch means disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow, timer means connected to said switch means for activation thereby in count up fashion, readout means connected to said timer means and disposed to display the elapsed time after mounting of the cow, signaling means connected to said timer means to emit a warning signal in response to activation of said timer means, sleeve means for securing and supporting said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means on the cow, said sleeve means including a flexible base member adapted to be adhered to the cow adjacent to the base of the tail thereof, a sealable pocket joined to said base member and adapted to retain said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means, said base member including a medial portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom in laterally opposed fashion, said medial portion being adapted to be secured over the rear spinal portion of the cow with said arms extending laterally therefrom, said pocket extending from said medial portion to the distal end portion of one of said arms, said pocket being formed of transparent plastic material to facilitate visualization of said readout means and said signaling means, and a resealable opening in said pocket to facilitate removal and replacement of said timer means, said readout means, said switch means, and said signaling means.

Claim 14

An apparatus for detecting the onset of estrus in a cow, comprising; a pressure responsive switch means disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow, timer means connected to said switch means for activation thereby in count up fashion, readout means connected to said timer means and disposed to display the elapsed time after mounting of the cow, signaling means connected to said timer means to emit a warning signal in response to activation of said timer means, sleeve means for securing and supporting said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means on the cow, said sleeve means including a flexible base member adapted to be adhered to the cow adjacent to the base of the tail thereof, a sealable pocket joined to said base member and adapted to retain said switch means, said timer means, and said signaling means, said base member including a medial portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom in laterally opposed fashion, said medial portion being adapted to be secured over the rear spinal portion of the cow with said arms extending laterally therefrom, said pocket extending from said medial portion to the distal end portion of one of said arms, said pocket being formed of transparent plastic material to facilitate visualization of said readout means and said signaling means, and a resealable opening in said pocket to facilitate removal and replacement of said timer means, said readout means, said switch means, and said signaling means.

Claim 15

A method for determining the onset and time of onset of estrus in a cow, comprising the steps of: providing a timer module having a count up timer, digital time display, and audible and visible local signaling devices, providing a membrane switch connected to actuate said timer module, securing said membrane switch adjacent to the base of the tail of a cow, with the timer module secured directly adjacent thereto, said membrane switch being disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow by other cows in response to onset of estrus, said membrane switch connected to activate said timer module to display elapsed time after initial mounting and to activate said local signaling device to emit said audible and visible signals directly from the animal to warn of onset of estrus in the cow.

Claim 16

A method for determining the onset and time of onset of estrus in a cow, comprising the steps of: providing a timer module having a count up timer, digital time display, and audible and visible local signaling devices, providing a membrane switch connected to actuate said timer module, securing said membrane switch adjacent to the base of the tail of a cow, with the timer module secured directly adjacent thereto, said membrane switch being disposed to be actuated by mounting of the cow by other cows in response to onset of estrus, said membrane switch connected to activate said timer module to display elapsed time after initial mounting and to activate said local signaling device to emit said audible and visible signals directly from the animal to warn of onset of estrus in the cow.