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Patent 2481191 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2481191
(54) English Title: APPARATUS FOR RAISING A SOW IN A FARROWING CRATE
(54) French Title: ELEVATEUR DE MISE EN PLACE DE TRUIE DANS UNE CAGE DE MISE A BAS
Status: Expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A01K 1/02 (2006.01)
  • A01K 29/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • KLEINSASSER, JONATHAN (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • CRYSTAL SPRING HOG EQUIPMENT LTD. (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • CRYSTAL SPRING HOG EQUIPMENT LTD. (Canada)
(74) Agent: ADE & COMPANY INC.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2008-01-22
(22) Filed Date: 2003-06-02
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2004-08-05
Examination requested: 2007-01-12
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

In a farrowing pen which includes a pit and over the pit a first floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two further floor portions on each side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the sow and confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion there is provided an apparatus for lifting the sow away from the piglets to prevent crushing. The apparatus includes a base carries above the pit on a cradle and a gas bag lift mechanism carried on the base above the manure and arranged to raise a plate carrying two parallel rails with the first floor portion thereon. An air valve extends through the flooring and is operated by pressure from contact with the sow for actuating the controlling the flow of the air. The rate of lifting is faster than the rate of lowering. A scissors lever arrangement mounted on the base above the pit acts to support and guide the floor on the bag.


French Abstract

La présente concerne une cage de mise bas qui comprend une fosse et sur la fosse une première partie de plancher sur laquelle la truie peut se tenir et se coucher et deux autres parties de plancher de chaque côté de la première partie de plancher pour recevoir les porcelets et des parois de confinement pour confiner la truie sur la première partie de plancher, et un dispositif de levage est prévu pour soulever la truie afin d'éviter qu'elle n'écrase les porcelets. L'appareil comprend une base portée au-dessus de la fosse sur un berceau et un mécanisme de levage à sac de gaz porté sur la base au-dessus du fumier et agencé de manière à soulever une plaque portant deux rails parallèles soutenant la première partie de plancher. Une soupape pneumatique s'étend à travers le revêtement de sol et est actionnée par la pression de contact exercée par la truie pour actionner la commande d'écoulement de l'air. La vitesse de montée est supérieure à la vitesse d'abaissement. Un agencement de levier en ciseaux monté sur la base au-dessus la fosse sert à soutenir et à guider le plancher sur le sac.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




17

CLAIMS:


1. A farrowing pen for sows for use with a pit for manure having a
pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions above the pit on each side of
the pit; the
farrowing pen comprising:

a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor portion and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element including a base member and a lift mechanism
carried on the base member, operated by a power source, arranged to raise and
lower the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered
position
in which the first floor portion is at a generally common height with the
second floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor
portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the, second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;

and a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to
actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;

the support element comprising a frame arranged to be mounted on
each of the side floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span
the pit;



18
the frame being mounted so as to extend underneath the first floor
portion;

the frame supporting the base member therefrom at a position
underlying the first floor portion and overlying the pit such that the base
member is
free from support from the floor of the pit.

2. The farrowing pen according to Claim 1 wherein the base
member is carried on the frame so as to be suspended underneath the frame.

3. The farrowing pen according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the base
member is arranged to be located at a height within the pit and below the side
floor
portions.

4. The farrowing pen according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the
support element carries a guide system for guiding vertical movement of the
first
floor portion and for maintaining the first floor portion horizontal.

5. The farrowing pen according to Claim 4 wherein the guide
system is carried on the base member.

6. The farrowing pen according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the guide
system comprises two pairs of levers arranged in a scissors arrangement with
each
pair on a respective side of the first floor portion.

7. The farrowing pen according to Claim 6 wherein the lift
mechanism comprises an inflatable air bag carried on the base member between
the
pairs of levers.


19
8. The farrowing pen according to Claim 5 wherein the lift

mechanism comprises an inflatable air bag carried on the base member with the
guide system.

9. A farrowing pen for sows for use with a pit for manure having a
pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions above the pit on each side of
the pit; the
farrowing pen comprising:

a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor portion and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element including a base member and a lift mechanism
carried on the base member, operated by a power source, arranged to raise and
lower the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered
position
in which the first floor portion is at a generally common height with the
second floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor
portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;

and a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to
actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;


20
the support element comprising a frame arranged to be mounted on

each of the side floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span
the pit;

the frame being mounted so as to extend underneath the first floor
portion;

the frame being arranged for supporting the base member therefrom at
a position underlying the first floor portion and overlying the pit such that
the base
member is free from support from the floor of the pit;

a guide system for guiding vertical movement of the first floor portion
and for maintaining the first floor portion horizontal;

wherein the base member is carried on the frame so as to be
suspended underneath the frame;

and wherein the base member carries the lift mechanism and the guide
system.

10. The farrowing pen according to Claim 9 wherein the base
member is arranged to be located at a height within the pit and below the side
floor
portions.

11. The farrowing pen according to Claim 9 or 10 wherein the guide
system comprises two pairs of levers arranged in a scissors arrangement with
each
pair on a respective side of the first floor portion.

12. The farrowing pen according to Claim 11 wherein the lift
mechanism comprises an inflatable air bag carried on the base member between
the
pairs of levers.


21
13. A farrowing pen for sows for use with a pit for manure having a

pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions above the pit on each side of
the pit; the
farrowing pen comprising:

a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor portion and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element comprising a frame arranged to be mounted on
each of the side floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span
the pit
underneath the first floor portion and a base member carried by the frame
underlying
the first floor portion and arranged so as to overly the pit such that the
base member
is free from support from the floor of the pit;

the support element including a gas bag lift mechanism carried on the
base member, operated by a compressed gas source, arranged to raise and lower
the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered position
in
which the first floor portion is at a generally common height with the second
floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor
portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;


22
a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to

actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;

and a guide system carried on the base member for guiding vertical
movement of the first floor portion and for maintaining the first floor
portion
horizontal.

14. The farrowing pen according to Claim 13 wherein the base
member is arranged to be located at a height within the pit and below the side
floor
portions.

15. The farrowing pen according to Claim 13 or 14 wherein the
guide system comprises two pairs of levers arranged in a scissors arrangement
with
each pair on a respective side of the first floor portion.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02481191 2007-01-12

APPARATUS FOR RAISING A SOW IN A FARROWING CRATE

This invention relates to an apparatus for raising a sow in a farrowing
crate relative to a floor for the piglets for reducing piglet mortality by
crushing as the
sow lies or treads during movement to access feed and water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In British patent 932189 (Hodgkinson) issued in 1963 is shown a
farrowing crate or pen for sows where the level of the outer floor section
which
carries the piglets can be raised and lowered in order to move the piglets
away from
danger from the sow when the sow is standing, Thus when the sow lies down, the

piglets are kept away from the height of the floor level on which the sow lies
to
reduce the possibility of crushing.

This arrangement uses a light beam and electric switches to detect the
movement of the sow and uses a complex Iifting arrangement. The device is
currently not available on the market.

U.S. Patent 4,793,287 of Hoffmann issued in 1988 discloses a
modified arrangement in which Iifting and lowering of the piglet floor section
is
actuated by an alternative arrangement. However again this construction is
disadvantageous and is not available in the market place.

In German Application DE 43 20 345 (Ulrich) published 22"d December
1994 is disclosed a farrowing pen with a base frame which is laid on a floor
with an
air bag carried on the base frame which can be actuated to raise a sow support
floor
section mounted on top of the base frame on levers which swing the floor
section


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

2
longitudinally and upwardly. The lifting action is controlled by a valve which
actuated
by the sow lying down on the valve or standing up from the valve.

In European Application 360 308 (Geerkens) published 280 March
1990 is disclosed a farrowing pen with a lift frame mounted over a sow support
floor
section for lifting the floor section upwardly on two motors and associated
screws,

one at each end. The lifting action is controiled by a photo-electric cell
which detects
lying or standing of the sow.

SUMMARY pi= THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an
improved apparatus for raising and iowering a sow in a farrowing pen.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a farrowing
pen for sows comprising:

a pit for manure having a pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions
above the pit on each side of the pit;

a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor poraon and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element including a base member and a lift mechanism
carried on the base member, operated by a power source, arranged to raise and


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

3
lower the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered
position
in which the first floor portion is at a generally common height with the
second floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor

portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;

and a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to
actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;

the support element comprising a frame mounted on each of the side
floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span the pit;

the frame being mounted so as to extend undemeath the first floor
portion;

the frame supporting the base member therefrom at a position
underlying the first floor portion and overlying the pit such that the base
member is
free from support from the floor of the pit.

Preferably the base member is carried on the frame so as to be
suspended underneath the frame.

Preferably the base member is located at a height within the pit and
below the side floor portions.

Preferably the support element carries a guide system for guiding
vertical movement of the first floor portion and for maintaining the first
floor portion
horizontal.

Preferably the guide system is carried on the base member.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

4
Preferably the guide system comprises two pairs of levera arranged in
a scissors arrangement with each pair on a respective side of the first floor
portion.

Preferably the lift mechanism comprises an inflatable air bag carried on
the base member between the pairs of levers.

Preferably the lift mechanism comprises an inflatable air bag carried on
the base member with the guide system.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
farrowing pen for sows comprising:

a pit for manure having a pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions
above the pit on each side of the pit;

a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor portion and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element including a base member and a lift mechanism
carried on the base member, operated by a power source, arranged to raise and
lower the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered
position

in which the first floor portion is at a generally common height with the
second floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;

and a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to
actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;

5 the support element comprising a frame mounted on each of the side
floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span the pit;

the frame being mounted so as to extend underneath the first floor
portion;

the frame supporting the base member therefrom at a position
underlying the first floor portion and overlying the pit such that the base
member is
free from support from the floor of the pit;

a guide system for guiding vertical movement of the first floor portion
and for maintaining the first floor portion horizontal;

wherein the base member is carried on the frame so as to be
suspended underneath the frame;

and wherein the base member carries the lift mechanism and the guide
system.

Preferably the base member is located at a height within the pit and
below the side floor portions.

Preferably the guide system comprises two pairs of levers arranged in
a scissors arrangement with each pair on a respective side of the flrst floor
portion.
Preferably the lift mechanism aomprises an inflatable air bag carried on

the base member between the pairs of levers.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

6
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a
farrowing pen for sows comprising:

a pit for manure having a pit floor and pit sides with side floor portions
above the pit on each side of the pit;

a floor assembly for nrceiving the sow and piglets which includes a first
floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor portions
each
on a respective side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the
sow;

the first floor portion and the two second floor portions being arranged
to span the pit;

confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion;
a support element for the first floor portion;

the support element comprising a frame mounted on each of the side
floor portions on respective sides of the pit so as to span the pit undemeath
the first
floor portion and a base member carried by the frame underlying the first
floor

portion and overlying the pit such that the base member is free from support
from
the floor of the pit;

the support element including a gas bag lift mechanism carried on the
base member, operated by a compressed gas source, arranged to raise and lower
the first floor portion relative to the base member between a lowered position
in

which the flrst floor portion is at a generally common height with the second
floor
portions to allow the piglets to access the first floor portion and the sow
thereon and
a raised position in which the first floor portion is at a height above the
second floor


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

7
portions sufficient to prevent the piglets on the second floor portions from
accessing
the first floor portion;

a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to
actuate the lift mechanism to operate the lift mechanism;

and a guide system carried on the base member for guiding vertical
movement of the first floor portion and for maintaining the first floor
portion
horizontal.

Preferably the base member is located at a height within the pit and
below the side floor portions.

Preferably the guide system comprises two pairs of levers arranged in
a scissors arrangement with each pair on a respective side of the first floor
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWfNGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view through a farrowing pen showing the
lifting apparatus according to the present invention showing the sow lift with
the sow
floor portion in the raised position.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of two farrowing pens of Figure 1
arranged side by side.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 1 showing
the sow lift mounted directly on the barn floor and with the sow floor portion
in the
raised position.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

8
Figure 4 is a top plan view of a portion only of the farrowing pen of
Figure 1 showing the actuating valve.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4
showing the actuating valve.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a second embodiment
of a sow lift mechanism according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is an isometric sketch of a third embodiment of a sow lift
mechanism according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the embodiment of the
sow lift mechanism of Figure 3 in the lowered position of the sow floor
portion.

Figure 9 is a top plan view the second embodiment of a sow lift
mechanism of Figure 3.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In Figures 1 to 5, 8 and 9 is shown the construction of the present
invention somewhat schematically showing the operation of the device and the
basic
construction of the device.

A farrowing crate thus comprises a first floor section 10 for receiving
the sow. The floor section 10 can be formed from many different types of
flooring all
of which are presently commercially available including plastics flooring,
cast iron
flooring and flooring of plastics coated metal. The floor section has a width
and
length sufficient to receive the sow and is in some cases formed from panels
which


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

9
are arranged end to end to form the complete floor section. On each side of
the first
floor section is provided two second floor sections 11 which are arranged for
receiving the piglets. The characteristics of the floor therefore are
significantly
different and they may include heating pads and the like to properly pravide
the
required situation for the piglets including the required ambient temperature.

The second floor sections 11 are arranged so that a next adjacent
farrowing pen provides an adjacent floor seckion 1 1A with a further floor
section 10A
for the next adjaoent sow.

Each first floor section 10 includes a crate 12 providing confining walls
which locate the sow front and back and side to side so that the sow is
maintained in
the area on top of the floor and is prevented from moving to the sides into
the area
of the floor section 11 or out of the pen in front to rear direction. The
walls are
shown only schematically since these are well known to one skilled in the art
and the
construction can vary depending upon the particular manufacture of the
farrowing

crate. A feeder 13 is provided on a front wall 13A for providing feed and
water to the
sow when required. In order to take the feed and water, the sow stands on the
floor
section 10 to feed voluntarily and then to lie down when feeding is complete.

The floor sections 10 and 11 are arranged over a pit 14 having a pit
floor 15 onto which manure collects from the pens by passing through the
flooring
which is suitably perforated. The depth of the pit is generally of the order
of 18 to 24

inches which allows manure to collect in the bottom of the pit preferably up
to a
depth of no more than 9 to 15 inches for collection through a collection
system,
although in some rare cases of malfunction filling the pit,


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

The floor section 10 is ca,rried on a pair of side rails 16 which provide a
top face 17 onto which the flooring rests so that it spans across the parallel
rails 10
and extends along the length of the rails and outwardiy beyond ends 18 of the
rails
to the front and rear of the pen. Different types of flooring rest upon the
rails 16 in a

5 different manner as required by the construction of the flooring and some
includes
fips which engage over the top face 17 and others sit within the top face 17.

The rails 16 are carried on a plate 20 which spans across the width of
the floor section 10 and extends along a part of the length of the rails 16.
The rails
are bolted to the plate 20 or may be welded to the plate along the side edges
of the

10 plate with the plate having sufficient length to provide support for the
rails 16 to
prevent bending, twisting or tilting.

The top plate 20 is supported on an inflatable gas bag 30. Such gas
bags are commercially available and are conventionally used in truck
suspension
systems but many different types of such bags having different inflation and
expansion parameters are available from commercial suppliers.

A commercially available valve 31 is provided which can be operated
to control air from an air supply 32 to a regulator vaive 34 through a line 33
and from
the valve 31 into the gas bag 30. The valve is normally maintained closed so
that
the bag is uninflated. The valve 31 includes an actuator which projects
upwardly as

a stud or button 35 extending through the siot between two of the rails 10B
(Figure
5) of the floor section 10. In some cases it is necessary to cut out a part or
one of
the rails or one of the parts of the flooring so as to allow the actuatQr pin
to project
through the floor into a position above the height of the flooring.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

11
The pin is covered by a channel member 37 which sits on top of the
pin and thus provides an elongate plate sitting on top of the floor section 10
slightly
raised from the floor. The plate has one end 38 (Figure 4) resting on the
floor and
the pin holds the other end upwardly from the floor so that the plate can be
pushed

down toward the floor by pressure from the sow. Thus the valve actuator pin 35
is
directly actuated by pressure from the sow and the channel provides an
increased
area over which the pressure from the sow can be applied causing the actuation
of
the valve. The channel 37 has depending side walls 39 which project between
the
rails I OB of the flooring to hold the plate in place. The plate may be
attached to the

top of the pin so that it cannot slide forwards and rearwards under forces
from the
sow.

The positioning of the plate is such that it is under the chest area of the
sow so as to provide effective contact when the sow lies down.

The valve 31 thus can be operated by release of pressure caused by
the animal tending to stand to allow the supply of air from the supply 32 into
the gas
bag 30 expanding the gas bag and causing the support for the floor to move
upwardly to the maximum height. This movement is effected relatively quickly
so
that the sow is lifted away from the side portions 11 of the flooring to the
raised
height while deterring any piglets from entering onto the center portion 10 of
the
flooring to be raised therewith.

As shown in Figure 2, on each side of the flooring portion 10 is
provided a panel 40 so as to close off the area on either side of the flooring
portion


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

12
to prevent the piglets from entering into the area undemeath the flooring
portion
10.

When the sow lies down, this applies pressure onto the plate 37
actuating the valve so as to close off supply of air from a supply 32 and
acting to
5 release the air from the gas bag through a discharge orif+ce. The discharge
is

arranged so that the floor 10 moves relatively slowly in the downward
direction so
that the sow is given time to lie down before the floor reaches the lowered
position at
the height of the floor 11.

The device is thus arranged to save piglets from the first second of
10 birth to the day they get weaned. This unit works on air only. The unit is
arranged to
be installed beneath the sow's floor only, in existing barns or in new barn
construction. Every farrowing barn operation will benefit from this invention.

Even if the sow only sits up, the actuator valve on this unit wifl be
activated and it only takes approximately nine seconds for the sows to raise
up to
twelve inches. This does not give the piglets enough time to get beneath the
sow if

she decides to lay down again. Once the sow is standing the unit is fully
raised, her
piglets are now confined only on the second floor sections so she can eat and
drink
the sufficient amount she needs to conserve her body fat. If the sows eat well
this
means they will also milk well and that is what is required to wean big, nice
healthy

pigs. The time it takes for this unit to retract after the sow lays down again
is
approximately twenty seconds. This is sufficient time for most sows to have
laid on
their side again and by not having any piglets in her way so that the amount
of laid-
on and stepped-on pigs will be reduced tremendously.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

13
This unit will also give that extra time for the low viability piglets to gain
strength which normally they fall over beneath the sow while she is standing
and get
crushed by her because they are not strong enough to get out of her way. This
unit
is a low cost and low maintenance device for what it is capable of saving. Pre-


weaning mortality will decrease and pigs weaned per mated female per year will
increase. At weaning time the advantage of this unit is having a shut off
valve in the
farrowing room which means the sows will get out of the crates as normal. When
comes time to pick up the weanlings, one valve that supplies the air in that
room can
be operated and this means all the weanlings in each of these pens are
confined to

their storage space, this way it becomes one third of the area to catch them.
This
unit is effcient by itself and also efficient for the work load for hog
producers.

The structure which carries the air bag 30 is supported from the sides
of the pit rather than from the floor of the pit. This allows the floor of the
pit to be
open for the use of a conventional scraper which moves along the pit for
assisting in

manure removal. The support is of a low profile construction which allows the
bottom of the bag and the bottom of the guide mechanism to be raised as high
as
possible from the floor of the pit thus keeping the available depth of the pit
for
manure to a maximum.

Thus the system comprises a cradle 50 which is defined by a pair of
parallel rails 51 connected by a series of cross members 51A is mounted on the
end
plates 49 attached to the floor at the sides 52 of the pit 15 so that the
rails of the
cradle spans the width of the pit. The cradle provides a support for the first
floor


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

14
section 10 on which the sow is supported. The first floor section 10 is
carried on the
rectangular support plate 20.

At the center section of the cradle 50 carried on the rails 51 is provided
a dropped support table 56 which is carried at a height below the rails 51 and
thus
below the top of the pit and below the floor. The table 56 carries the bottom
end 57

of the gas bag 30. The upper end 59 of the gas bag co-operates with a
receptacle
60 at the center of the rectangular support plate 20 for the first floor
section 10. The
gas bag thus provides motive force for raising and lowering the rectangular
floor
support section 10.

The floor support section 10 is guided so that it is maintained
horizontal by a scissors lift mechanism generally indicated at 61 which
comprises
diagonal link arms 62 and 63 which pivot at one end and slide at the other end
so as
to maintain the movement of the floor support section in a vertical direction
and
parallel to the cradle 50.

In an attemative shown in Figure 6, the vertical movement of the plate
and therefore the floor 10 is controlled and guided by rollers 64 which roll
in
vertical guide tracks 65. The rollers are carried on the cradle 50 and co-
operate with
the guide tracks 65 in the form of posts which extend downwardly from the
underside of the floor support plate 20.

20 The mechanism shown in this embodiment can be modified but the
principle involved is that the structure is supported as a cradle from the
side walls of
the pit and is formed as a low profile construction so that it is as close as
possible to
the underside of the floor maximizing the area in the pit for manure.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

is
In Figure 7 is shown a yet further arrangement which is mounted
wholly above the pit. In this arrangement there are provided four posts 80,
81, 82
and 83 which are arranged at the four comers of the first floor section
supporting the
sow. Side walts 84 of the farrowing crate contain the sow on the floor
section. At

the top of each post is provided a pulley 85 with a cable 86 which extends
downwardly from the pulley to the respective corner of the rectangular frame
providing support for the floor section. The cables 86 are pulled by an
actuating
system generally indicated at 87 which includes a central single gas bag 88
actuating a lever 89 to the drive a cable pulling system providing equal pull
on each

of the cables thus tending to lift the rectangular frame 55 in a vertical
direction. Side
to side and end to end swinging movement of the rectangular frame is prevented
by
slide guides 89 provided on the post which co-operate with projecting elements
90
provided on the frame 55 or on the confining rolls 84. The guide arrangements
can
of course vary and can include rollers or wheels which run in a suitable track
and the
selection of which element carries the track is of course of a minor nature.

The lifting system using the air bag is advantageous as previously
described in view of the simple nature of the actuating system which allows
the
pressure switch to be operated directly by the pressure from the body of the
sow.

In all cases the frame carries the depending side walls 40 which
prevent access to the pit from the piglets so that they are protected by the
side walls
40 which thus form a vertical protection wall as the frame carrying the sow
and the
confining walls is lifted.


CA 02481191 2007-01-12

16
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the claims without departing from the invention, it is intended that
all matter
contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as
iliustrat7ve only
and not in a limiting sense.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2008-01-22
(22) Filed 2003-06-02
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2004-08-05
Examination Requested 2007-01-12
(45) Issued 2008-01-22
Expired 2023-06-02

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $200.00 2004-09-02
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2004-12-21
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2005-06-02 $50.00 2005-06-01
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2006-06-02 $50.00 2006-06-01
Request for Examination $400.00 2007-01-12
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2007-06-04 $50.00 2007-05-29
Final Fee $150.00 2007-10-26
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2008-06-02 $100.00 2008-04-10
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2009-06-02 $100.00 2009-05-25
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2010-06-02 $100.00 2010-04-26
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2011-06-02 $100.00 2011-05-25
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2012-06-04 $100.00 2012-05-02
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2013-06-03 $325.00 2013-06-19
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2014-06-02 $125.00 2014-05-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2015-06-02 $125.00 2015-06-01
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2016-06-02 $125.00 2016-05-03
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2017-06-02 $325.00 2017-06-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2018-06-04 $225.00 2018-05-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2019-06-03 $225.00 2019-06-03
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 17 2020-06-02 $225.00 2020-05-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 18 2021-06-02 $229.50 2021-03-05
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 19 2022-06-02 $229.04 2022-03-16
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CRYSTAL SPRING HOG EQUIPMENT LTD.
Past Owners on Record
KLEINSASSER, JONATHAN
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2007-07-05 6 186
Abstract 2004-09-02 1 27
Description 2004-09-02 17 717
Claims 2004-09-02 7 269
Drawings 2004-09-02 8 261
Representative Drawing 2004-12-02 1 18
Cover Page 2004-12-02 2 53
Description 2007-01-12 16 519
Claims 2007-01-12 6 165
Abstract 2007-01-12 1 21
Representative Drawing 2008-01-03 1 18
Cover Page 2008-01-03 2 54
Maintenance Fee Payment 2017-06-30 1 33
Correspondence 2004-11-02 1 35
Assignment 2004-09-02 3 94
Assignment 2004-12-21 1 27
Correspondence 2005-01-26 1 15
Correspondence 2004-12-14 1 18
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-04-18 3 116
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-01-12 26 787
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-07-05 9 277
Correspondence 2007-09-21 2 44
Correspondence 2007-10-26 2 56
Fees 2013-06-19 1 163