Head mounted animal information means

An animal information means which utilizes a region behind an animal's ear and adjacent its skull composed of skin, sub-cutaneous fascia and fat in which is formed a cavity, the temperature in the cavity being indicative of the animal's body temperature; the attachment including a temperature actuated warning assembly sensitive to a fever temperature in the animal, the warning assembly having a flanged end arranged to produce a conspicuous visual signal, the warning device being removably received and secured in a retainer assembly adapted to be inserted in the cavity, the retainer having an outer flanged end forming an exposed disk and an inner expansible end, the flanged and expansible end serving to clamp the fascia and skin surrounding the cavity; the retainer also being arranged to receive and secure a shield or guard underlying the flanged end of the retainer and projecting laterally beyond the warning assembly to prevent the surrounding hair growth from covering the warning device, the guard also serving as an identification and a record tag which may be marked to indicate past history of the animal, the retainer sleeve also providing, upon removal of the warning device an access opening into the cavity for insertion of therapeutic substances.

BACKGROUND 
In the raising and feeding of animals continual vigilance must be 
maintained to notice any sickness. Sickness is usually accompanied by rise 
in body temperature. By the time the fever is evident by observation of an 
animal, the illness has often progressed too far to save the animal and 
other animals may have become infected. Heretofore, the means of measuring 
animal body temperature has been in the anal region. Such measurement has 
required confinement of the animal and thus is expensive. Experimentation 
has been undertaken in which an anal thermometer is used coupled with an 
exposed indicator that is permanently attached, for example, to the base 
of the tail; however, this type of fever indicating means has been limited 
to feed lot use, and has been extremely expensive. 
It has been discovered that there exists a region of an animal's head near 
the juncture of the back portion of the ear and skull in which is formed a 
cavity protected by tissue including gristle and hide and further isolated 
at its lateral and under sides by tissue and bone so that the temperature 
therein is closely and accurately related to the animal's body 
temperature, in fact the difference being in the order of 1.degree. F. 
This region may be more accurately described as follows: The area bounded 
cranially by the posterior border of the conchal cartilage and caudally by 
the anterior border of the cleido-occipitalis muscle. The area is composed 
of skin, sub-cutaneous fascia and fat. Furthermore, the cavity seems to 
provide a means whereby certain medicines may be introduced. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention is directed to a head mounted animal information 
means, which utilizes an entrance cut into the region previously 
described, as a "sensor receiving cavity". 
A primary object of this invention is to provide a novelly arranged 
temperature actuated warning assembly forming a part of the animal 
information means and so constructed as to be inserted in the sensor 
receiving cavity; the warning device including a conspicuous flanged end 
having means for producing a conspicuous visual signal when the animal's 
temperature has risen a predetermined amount. 
A further object is to provide, as part of an animal information means, a 
novel retainer assembly arranged for insertion in the sensor receiving 
cavity prior to the warning assembly, for removably securing the warning 
assembly therein; the retainer having a flanged end underlying the flanged 
end of the warning assembly and also provided with a sleeve portion 
capable of radial expansion to cooperate with the flanged end of the 
retainer to secure the retainer in place. 
A further object is to provide in an animal information means which 
includes a novelly arranged guard in sheet form capable of being held 
between the flanged end of the retainer and the underlying skin of the 
animal to deflect surrounding hair from extending over and obscuring the 
warning device. 
A further object is to provide an animal information means, as indicated in 
the previous object, wherein the guard may also serve to identify the 
animal and provide a record of the past history of the animal. 
A further, but primary object is to provide a temperature actuated warning 
device, particularly adapted for use as a component of an animal 
information device, wherein a normally solid temperature sensitive 
material melts at fever temperature to permit axial movement of a rod, the 
outer end of which is connected to a foldable cover disk initially 
overlying a highly visible upwardly exposed surface of a flange element; 
the cover disk when drawn by the rod, exposing the highly visible surface 
to view; the cover disk having a reflective upper surface to minimize 
absorption of heat when in its initial flange surface covering position. 
A further object is to provide an animal information device having a 
temperature warning assembly and retainer therefor, in which the warning 
assembly may be removed to permit introduction of therapeutic substances 
into the animal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
As indicated in FIG. 1, at the base end of an animal's ear 1, such as a 
calf's ear, the previously identified sensor receiving cavity 2 is entered 
by an appropriate surgical tool, piercing through the layer of tissue 3 
comprising gristle and hide. Tests have indicated that the temperature in 
this cavity is reliably related to the temperature of the animal, the 
temperature in the cavity being about 1.degree. F. lower than the internal 
rectal temperature of the animal. Also the overlying tissue does not 
contain sensitive nerves so that it may be pierced by a sharp instrument 
without discomfort to the animal. 
While other regions of an animal for installation of the invention herein 
described may be used, this region is preferred as it tends to be 
protected by the corresponding ear and horn. 
The animal information means includes a retainer assembly 4 formed of 
appropriate plastic material and including a sleeve 5, dimensioned to be 
received in the cavity 2. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with a 
flange 6 having a peripheral wall 7 provided with an internal retainer 
bead 8. The flange and wall form a shallow cavity 9. 
Extending inwardly from the sleeve 5 is a set, preferably four, of foldable 
strips 10 joined in their extremities to form a ring 11. Between the ring 
and sleeve 5 the strips are provided with appropriate weakened zones 12, 
13 and 14, so arranged that the strips may be folded outward as shown in 
FIG. 5 to cooperate with the flange 6 and the clamped tissue 3, as 
indicated in FIG. 1. 
Formed within the sleeve 5 is a set of internal latching shoulders 15. 
Secured at its lower end within the ring 11 is an inner latching sleeve 16 
having latching fingers 17 at its upper end, engageable with the latching 
shoulders 15. 
The retainer assembly initially appears as shown in FIG. 2, in which the 
out turned portions of the latching fingers 17 are received in the 
weakened zones 13 so as to hold the strips 10 in a slightly bowed 
position. 
The retainer assembly is secured in place by an installation tool 18, shown 
in FIGS. 4 and 5. The installation tool includes a tube member 19 having 
at one end a portion of reduced diameter indicated by 20. The tube member 
19 is provided with longitudinal slits 21 forming longitudinal segments 
that may be forced radially outward. The extremity of the tube member 
beyond the portion of reduced diameter is provided with outwardly directed 
pulling fingers 22. The outer end of the tube member is joined to an axial 
bearing flange 23 dimensioned to bear against the flange 6 of the retainer 
assembly 4. The bearing flange is joined to a handle disk 24. 
The bearing flange and handle disk are tubular to receive a mandrel 25 
which extends into the tube member 19 and is provided with a pointed end 
26. The opposite end is provided with a handle 27. 
The retainer assembly is installed as follows: 
First, an appropriate opening is cut through the tissue 3 to provide access 
to the cavity 2, the sleeve 5 and foldable strips 10 are inserted into the 
opening. This is done when the retainer assembly is in its initial 
condition shown in FIG. 2. Before or after positioning the retainer 
assembly, the installation tool 18 is inserted until the pulling fingers 
22 are slightly below the ring 11 and lower end of the latch sleeve 16. 
This is the condition obtained when the bearing flange 23 rests on the 
flange 6, as will be noted from the relative positions of the retainer 
assembly 4 and the installation tool 18 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The mandrel 24 
is then thrust forward causing the pointed end 26 to expand the fingers 22 
outward so as to underly the sleeve 16 and the ring 11. The tube member 
19, bearing flange 23 and handle disk 25 is then withdrawn causing the 
strips 10 to fold outwardly substantially in the manner shown in FIG. 5. 
Some kinking or buckling may occur as suggested in FIG. 1 or additional 
weakened portions may be provided. After the retainer assembly is in place 
the mandrel 25 19 is withdrawn so that the entire installation tool may be 
removed. 
Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8 there is here illustrated a temperature 
actuated warning assembly 28 which includes a tube 29 dimensioned to be 
slidably received by the sleeve 5 and the ring 11 of the installed 
retainer assembly 4. The end of the tube which becomes the inner end of 
the assembly is closed as indicated by 30. The other or outer end is 
provided with a flange 31 joined to a transparent cover 32 by a peripheral 
sealed connection. The flange 31 and cover 32 form an indicator chamber 
34. 
The tube 29 and its flanged end 31 are preferably molded of plastic 
material which may have a fluorescent color or at least a bright hue. The 
color is preferably orange, but other colors may be used. Also only the 
outer surface of the flanged end 31 need be colored. 
As shown in FIG. 8, overlying the flanged end 31 is a circular shield or 
cover disk 35, preferably including, as shown in FIG. 7, a sheet 36 of 
material which is readily flexible and foldable, and a highly reflective 
coating 37, such as a silver coating, so as to minimize heat absorption. 
The inner end of the tube 29 receives a temperature sensitive plug 38 which 
is normally in a solid condition but is compounded so as to melt at a 
selected temperature. A temperature is selected which if present in the 
cavity 2 would indicate a fever condition in the body of the animal. 
Slidably received in the tube 29 above or outward of the plug 38 is a stem 
39 having a flanged end 40. The end 40 is slightly smaller than the tube 
29 so that when the plug 38 is in a liquid condition the stem and its 
flanged end may move downward through the melted plug. Such downward force 
is provided by a spring 41 which bears against a guide sleeve 42, press 
fitted in the tube 29. 
The stem 29 projects through the shield disk 35 and its outer extremity is 
held in place by a restraining member 43 having an axial stem 44 which 
extends through a small opening provided in the cover 32. Above the shield 
disk 35 there is provided a ring 45 which may be press fitted onto the 
stem 39. 
Operation of the temperature actuated warning assembly 28 is as follows: 
Initially the temperature actuated warning assembly is the condition shown 
in FIG. 6. The restraining member 43 holds the stem 39 against the 
transparent cover 32 and the flanged end or piston 40 is spaced slightly 
from the temperature sensitive plug 38. 
Prior to use, the warning assembly is stored in an upright position so that 
should the plug 38 melt and reharden the assembly is not damaged. Once the 
warning assembly is installed, the restraining member 43 is removed. The 
warning assembly 28 is placed in the retainer assembly 4 by inserting the 
tube 29 through the sleeve 5 until the peripheral portion of the cover 32 
is snapped within the retainer bead 8, as shown in the upper portion of 
FIG. 9. In this relative position the inner portion of the tube 29 
containing the plug 38 projects beyond the retainer assembly 4, as shown 
in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 1. 
After installation, the warning assembly remains dormant as long as the 
animal's body temperature is below fever level, that is the upper surface 
of the flanged end 31 is covered by the shielded disk 35. For purposes of 
illustration, but not limitation, the surface of the flanged end 31 is 
shown as orange which is representative of a bright fluorescent color and 
is covered with the disk 35 having a highly reflective silver hue. 
When a fever develops in the animal, the plug 38 liquifies permitting the 
spring 41 to force the flanged end or piston 40 downward to the liquid 
plug. Thiscauses the ring 45 to engage and fold the disk 35 as indicated 
in the upper portion of FIG. 9. In doing so the flanged end 31 becomes 
fully visible, in addition, the color is reflected to and is picked up by 
the transparent cover 32 so as to provide a highly visible warning that a 
fever exists. By selection of the composition comprising the plug 38, the 
time lapse between the initial fever symptoms and the warning display may 
be adjusted to meet the most desirable conditions of use; that is, the 
warning may be such as to avoid premature warnings. 
When the warning assembly has once indicated a fever temperature, it must 
be replaced. This may be accomplished by a removing tool 46, shown in FIG. 
13. The tool 46 comprises a peripheral wall 47 which engages the 
peripheral wall 7 of the retainer assembly 4 and a stem straddling member 
48 joined to the ring 47 by a connecting handle loop 49. The member 48 is 
slipped laterally under the flange 6 while the ring 47 is moved yieldably 
over the cover 32 until the ring 47 rests on the flange 7. The ring 47 and 
member 48 are pressed toward each other as indicated by the arrows 50 to 
snap the periphery of the transparent cover past the retainer bead 8. 
If the length of hair surrounding the warning assembly tends to cover the 
warning assembly, as indicated by FIG. 1, a guard or shield 52 may be 
interposed between the flange 6 of the retainer assembly 4 and the hair 
covered skin of the animal to deflect the hair, as shown in FIG. 1. The 
shield 52 may also serve as a tag providing an animal's record. More 
specifically, referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the tag includes a main 
record portion 53 at one end of which is an upstanding tab 54 which may be 
held in an upright position for greater visibility by a reinforcing 
element 55 in the form of a strip molded in place. The upstanding tab 54 
serves to carry a serial number indicated by 56 to identify the animal and 
the main record portion may contain code markings 57 which may be punched. 
Such markings may be colored for ready identification and the code 
markings 57 may be used to record the medical history of the animal. In 
addition coded magnetic information may be provided on a main record 
portion such as pedigree if such information is significant. 
Referring to FIGS. 14 through 18; here illustrated is a second embodiment 
of the temperature actuated warning assembly which eliminates the 
perforation in the transparent cover 32. The upper end of the stem 39 is 
provided with a disk 45a slightly larger than the stem 39 which confronts 
a transparent cover 32a similar to the cover 32, except that the cover 32a 
is not perforated and, except for its peripheral portion, is flat so that 
it may be depressed a limited distance to accomplish a corresponding 
movement of the stem 39. 
The lower end of the stem is provided with a flanged end 40a corresponding 
to the flanged end 40, except that a small annular rib 58 is provided 
which engages a small internal mating rib 59. The two ribs initially hold 
the flanged end 40a clear of the temperature sensitive plug 38 prior to 
use of the warning assembly. 
Immediately prior to installing the warning assembly, the cover 32a is 
depressed moving the rib 58 past the rib 59 to permit the spring 41 to 
press the flanged end 40 against the temperature sensitive plug 38 as 
shown in FIG. 18 until the plug melts in response to a fever condition in 
the animal permitting the disk 35 to be drawn into the tube 29. 
The parts which come into contact with the animal may be coated with a 
turbo-strati form of isotropic carbon or other substance forming a 
bacterial seal. 
As illustrated the cattle information is shown as utilized on a calf, but 
may also be used on, for example, sheep and or other domestic or 
semidomestic animals and even if the need arises on some wild animals. 
Also the animal information means may be placed on the animal soon after 
birth and remain throughout the life of the animal, this is particularly 
true of animals raised for slaughter. 
Having fully described our invention it is to be understood that we are not 
to be limited to the details herein set forth, but that our invention is 
of the full scope of the appended claims.