Abstract:
There is provided a moveable cart for use in transporting an animal, as a male hog, past one or more rows of cages containing sows to permit the determination of estrus in the sows and also to increase the success rate during artificial insemination by permitting snout to snout contact between the sow and male hog, the cart having a base with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, and at least one panel for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart and at least one opening in the wall sized to permit the head of an animal to least partially extend therethrough.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/299,964 filed on Apr. 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,975 which issued on Mar. 6, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of animal husbandry and in particular, relates to a moveable cart suitable for use in a hog rearing operation and to improvements in such operations and methods associated therewith. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In hog rearing operations, it has become essential to maximize the reproductive capacity of the sows. Originally, many hog raising operations simply relied on letting nature take its course with impregnation of the sow by the male hog. However, with larger operations, it became necessary to increase the reliability and accordingly, artificial insemination has been widely practiced. 
     In order for artificial insemination to work efficiently and economically, it is necessary to administer the semen at the time when estrus is occurring. Typically, semen is administered between 1 and 4 times during estrus in predetermined spaced apart time intervals. 
     It has been proposed in the art to use instrumentation to attempt to determine estrus. Typically, there have been proposed various types of temperature sensors and probes insertable into the vaginal canal for detecting either an increase in temperature or increase in current flow through the mucous. Although these methods do work, they are both time and labour intensive and increase the risk of mortality through contamination, infection, etc. 
     More traditionally, the technique employed on the modern day farm is to circulate a male hog down a row of cages containing the sows. 
     Despite all the advances in the art, typically the impregnation success ratio (i.e. the number of sows successfully impregnated) is in the area of between 75% to 85%. While these rates represent a vast improvement over older success rates, it is obviously desirable to further increase the rate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the artificial insemination of sows. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cart which may be used in a hog rearing operation to assist in determining estrus and improving the success rate of artificial insemination. 
     In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cart for the transportation of animals, the animals being selected from the group consisting of porcine, bovine, equine, canine, feline, and ungulates. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cart suitable for animal transportation, the cart comprising a base, the base having wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, means associated with the at least one wall for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart at least one opening in the at least one wall sized to permit a snout of a hog to at least partially extend therethrough, and hog positioning means within the cart to prevent a hog from lying down in the cart. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cart suitable for animal transportation, the cart comprising at least two sections, a first end cart section and a second end cart section, the first cart end section including a first base section, a first cart section wall extending upwardly from the first base section to define a first enclosure having an open end, the second end cart section having a second base section, a second cart section wall extending upwardly from the second base section to define a second enclosure having one open side, means for securing the first end cart section and the second end cart section together such that open sides are in alignment and the first end cart section and the second end cart section together define an enclosed cart. 
     In a particular aspect of the invention, there is provided means associated with one of the cart section walls for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart, and at least one opening in at least one of the section walls sized to permit a head of an animal to at least partially extend therethrough. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, in a hog farming operation having a plurality of sows, each sow being enclosed in an individual cage in a building, the cages being aligned and wherein the heads of all sow are aligned at one end of the cages, the improvement comprising a moveable cart having a base, the base having wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, which may further include means associated with the at least one wall for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart, at least one opening in the at least one wall sized to permit a snout of a hog to at least partially extend therethrough, and drive means for driving the cart. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, in a process of determining estrus in sow, each sow being enclosed in one of an aligned row of cages wherein the heads of all sows are aligned at one end of the cages, the improvement comprising the step of placing a male hog in a moveable cart, the cart having an opening in a side wall thereof, and moving the cart along the one end of the cages while permitting the male hog to have snout to snout contact with a sow. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, in a process of artificial insemination of a sow wherein a plurality of sows are each enclosed in an individual cage, the cages being aligned, and wherein the heads of all sows are aligned at one end of the cages, the improvement comprising the step of placing a male hog in a moveable cart, the cart having an opening in a side wall thereof, and moving the cart along the one end of the cages, and permitting the male hog to have snout to snout contact with the sow during the step of artificial insemination. 
     The cart of the present invention may take several forms. The cart may be formed as a single unitary cart of a rectangular configuration although, in a preferred embodiment the cart is formed of at least two sections which are hingedly connected together. This arrangement is advantageous for movement in close quarters wherein the hinged connections allow for moving around a corner in a very short radius. 
     The cart is preferably motor driven although a hand pushed cart incorporating the features of the present invention could also be employed. The cart is preferably driven by an electric motor of a suitable voltage which in turn may be powered by a suitable non-explosive rechargeable battery. Alternatively, a 120 volt AC connection could be employed. Preferably, the cart is capable of being driven in both directions and even more preferably, is capable of being remotely controlled. 
     One of the advantageous features of the present invention is the provision of means to prevent the animal from lying down in the cage. Such means may conveniently comprise a member extending underneath the hog to prevent such occurrences. Such a member may extend either transversely or longitudinally of the cart. 
     Preferably, the cart includes means for limiting the vision from one end and one side thereof. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the animal can then only focus along a single direction. Preferably, the panels are removable and may be placed on either side/end of the cart. 
     Similarly, the cart is designed to permit snout to snout contact between the male hog and the sow. To do so, the space between the bars may be sufficient to permit such snout to snout contact or in a preferred embodiment, a portion of the wall is designed with removable bars such that the access opening may be enlarged or diminished as appropriate. 
     The cart of the present invention may be provided with sound emitting means, imitating noises, grunting or vocal noises of an animal. The sound emitting means may be remotely controlled or activated when the cart is moving depending of needs. 
     The cart is made of suitable materials to preferably be resistant to corrosion and to ensure proper sanitation. 
     One particular arrangement of the cart calls for centrally mounted wheels which permits the shortest turning radius for the cart. Preferably, such wheels are pneumatic and the air pressure may be varied depending on the load. Thus, additional support wheels placed under unmotorized sections of the cart may be provided and the pneumatic wheels would have the pressure adjusted, depending upon the load, such that the cart is level. 
     In the improvement in the process of determining estrus, the cart may be moved past the heads of sows which are in aligned cages. At the same time, a worker placed at the rear of the sows can maneuver the cart and using conventional techniques, determine whether the sow is entering estrus. It has been found that permitting the snout to snout contact assists in the determining of estrus. 
     Similarly, during the process of artificial insemination, the maneuvering of the cart to each sow which is undergoing artificial insemination to permit snout to snout contact has been found to be extremely beneficial. It has been found that in so doing, success rates in artificial insemination have been as high as 95% compared to traditional figures of 85% or less. 
     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a moveable cart suitable for transportation of animals, the moveable cart provided with wheels thereon and comprising a first end cart section and a second end cart section, said first end cart section including a first base section, a first end cart section wall extending upwardly from said first base section to define a first enclosure having an open end, said second end cart section having a second base section, a second end cart section wall extending upwardly from said second base section to define a second enclosure having one open side, means for securing said first end cart section and said end second cart section together such that open sides are in alignment and said first end cart section and said second end cart section together define an enclosed cart. 
     More particularly, the cart further includes means associated with one of said cart section walls for limiting visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of said cart, and at least one opening in at least one of said section walls sized to permit a head of an animal to at least partially extend therethrough. 
     Specifically, the cart further includes at least one central cart section, said central cart section including a central base section, a central cart section wall extending upwardly from said central base section to define a central enclosure having two open ends, means for securing said central cart section with said end cart sections, or with other central cart section and an end section or with two central cart sections therebetween, such that open sides are in alignment and said first end cart section, said second end cart section and said at least one central cart section together define an enclosed cart. 
     Typically, said end sections each include at least one wall that comprises first and send opposed side walls and first and second opposed end walls, and means for securing said side walls and end walls together. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process of artificial insemination for determining estrus in sows wherein a plurality of sows are each enclosed in an individual cage, said cages being aligned, where the heads of all sows are aligned at one end of said cages, the improvement comprising the step of placing a male hog in a cart, said cart being provided with wheels thereon and comprising a first end cart section and a second end cart section, said first end cart section including a first base section, a first end cart section wall extending upwardly from said first base section to define a first enclosure having an open end, said second end cart section having a second base section, a second end cart section wall extending upwardly from said second base section to define a second enclosure having one open side, means for securing said first end cart section and said end second cart section together such that open sides are in alignment and said first end cart section and said send end cart section together define an enclosed cart, and moving said cart along said one end of said cages while permitting said male hog a snout-to-snout contact with a sow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cart according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the attachment of a side panel to a portion of the cart; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a cart with one of the end doors in an open position; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the cart of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1 in a partially open configuration for negotiating tight spaces and also showing the removable floor pans; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 showing a section of the cart detached from the main portion thereof; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1 in a partially open position; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but showing an alternative restraining component within the cage; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a partial perspective view, with portions removed, of a drive unit of the cart of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates side elevational view of the drive unit illustrated in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the drive unit and components thereof; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a partial perspective view showing in detail the means for connecting sections of the cart together and door latching mechanisms; 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a side elevation view according to another embodiment of the present invention showing a cart comprising more than two sections; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic top plan view of an alternative means for securing sections of the cart of FIG. 1 or FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic top plan view of the alternative securing means of FIG. 15 but in a turning position of the cart; 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic top plan view of an arm that stabilizes sections of the cart of FIG. 14; and 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic top plan view of the arm of FIG. 17, but in a turning position of the cart. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a moveable cart according to the present invention and which cart is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Moveable cart  10  has a first end cart section generally designated by reference numeral  12  and a second end cart section generally designated by reference numeral  14 . 
     First end cart section  12  includes a first side wall  16  and an opposed side wall  18  with an end wall/door  20  located therebetween at one end. Thus, as may be best seen in FIG. 6, there is provided a first cart section  12  which has an open end opposed to end wall/door  20 . 
     Side walls  16  and  18  are similar and thus only will be described in detail herein, with similar reference numerals with a prime being used for similar components on side wall  18 . Side wall  16  includes an upper frame member  22  which is connected to side frame members  24  and  26 . Intermediate side fame members  24  and  26  are a plurality of vertical bars  28  while a horizontal bar  30  extends between side frame members  24  and  26 . 
     End door  20 , as may be best seen in FIG. 3, includes a U-shaped frame  32  having a plurality of vertical bars  34  extending between the side frame portions thereof. 
     Forming a portion of first end cart section  12  is a drive compartment generally designated by reference numeral  36  and which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. The drive compartment  36  may be placed aternatively under any section of the cart. It may be placed under an end section as well as under a central section (as seen in FIG.  14 ). 
     As may be best seen in FIG. 5, first cart section  12  includes a sub-floor  19  which is preferably of a stainless steel with a final finished floor  40  superimposed thereon. Floor  40  is preferably of a relatively thick aluminum and is formed to be anti-slip and assure the comfort of the animal within. Drainage apertures  42  are provided in sub-floors  19  and finished floor  40 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the second end cart section  14  includes a first side wall  44  and opposed side wall  46  with an end wall/door  48  therebetween to thereby define an open ended cage section. 
     The cart may have more than two sections. As shown in FIG. 14, at least one additional central section  130  is interposed between first and end cart sections  12  and  14 , the central section  130  including a first wall  132  and opposed side wall  134  with two open ended cage sections. The central cart section  130  includes a sub-floor  19  which may be covered with a final finished floor superimposed thereon. 
     Side wall  44  and side wall  46  are similar and thus only one will be described in detail herein. Side wall  44 , as seen in FIG. 6, includes an upper horizontal frame member  50  from which extend downwardly side frame member  52  and  54 . A horizontal frame member  56  extends between side frame members  52  and  54  with a plurality of apertures  68  being formed therein as well as in the bottom horizontal frame member. A plurality of vertical bars  60  are fitted within apertures  58  and may be inserted/removed as required to provide an adjustably sized access opening to the second cart section  14 . 
     Opaque panels such as shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6  may be utilized to prevent visual access from within the cart. Panels  62  may include a plurality of L-shaped hooked members  64  for securing the same to horizontal bar  56  as well as a looking pin  63  (FIG.  2 ). Second cage section  14  also includes a plurality of ceiling frame members  66 . In a manner similar to that described with respect to first cart section  12 , there is provided a stainless steel sub-floor  67  and a finished aluminum floor  68 , each having drainage apertures  70  formed therein. 
     There are provided attachment means which are generally designated by reference numeral  72  and which are utilized for joining the various cart sections together and also for securing the end wall/doors  20  and  48 . This mechanism may best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 13 and reference will now be made thereto. 
     Attachment means  72  includes an upper rod section  74  which is mounted to a V-shaped support  76  suitably secured to a frame member as required. Extending outwardly from the vertical frame members are a pair of flanges  80  which are slightly spaced apart. A pair of lower flanges are also provided (FIG.  13 ). Sleeve inserts  78  may be provided therein. 
     A lower vertical rod section  82  is connected to upper rod section  74  by a connecting section  84 . There is also provided an intermediate support flange  86 . 
     Mounted on the vertical frame of the portion to be joined are a pair of flanges or plates  92  which are designed to fit within the space between flanges  80 . Rod sections  74  and  82  may then be operated to fit within aperture flanges  80  and plate  92  to retain the two assembled together in a pivotable manner. An upper lever  90  may be used to move the rod sections  74  and  82  as required. 
     The same mechanism is provided at the corners where end cart sections are to be joined as well as where end wall/doors  20  and  48  are secured. With this arrangement, the doors and sections may be either pivoted with respect to one another and/or completely removed as shown in the different configurations in the drawings. 
     Alternative attachment means between cart sections can be seen in FIGS. 14 to  18 . End and central cart sections may be attached together with members placed at the base of each section and retained together with a pivoting means  136 . Section floors  19  with protruding extensions thereof may constitute such members. Attachment members may include members placed on the top of sections and which may be fixed on upper frame members  22 ,  50  or  140  and retained together with a pivoting means  136 . A stabilizing means  142 , such as a rod arm, may be fixed at its ends to two sections. 
     Within the cart sections, there may be provided a pair of animal positioning members generally designated by reference numeral  96 , such as in first cart section  12  in FIGS. 3,  5  and  8 , and which each comprise a bar designed to extend across between side walls, e.g. side walls  16  and  18 . Retaining members  98  (see FIG. 6) are mounted on the vertical bars  28  and provide for variable location of the hog positioning members  96 . In this respect, hog positioning members  96  may utilize a spring loaded telescoping inner bar  100  (see FIG. 3) in a known manner. The positioning member  96  may also include a bar that extends longitudinally centrally in the car section, such as in the end cart sections, fixed at its extremities to bars  34 , and at a height of 12 inches, perhaps along ¾ of the length of the cart section. The positioning member seen in FIG. 8 may be also attached at each extremity to upper frame members of any section. 
     Mounted below drive compartment  36  is a pair of wheels,  104 ,  104 ′ mounted on axles  106 ,  106 ′ respectively. An electric motor  108  is mounted on a suitable support frame  110 . Axle  106  may carry a ball bearing support for  111  for support axle  106 ′. Wheels  104  and  104 ′ are preferably pneumatic and the pressure therein may be adjusted according to the weight of the cart and contents. 
     Electrical motor  108  is designed to drive a pulley  112  having a belt  114  entrained thereabout and which is operatively connected to a differential  116 . 
     For braking purposes and also for turning/there are provided a pair of braking members  118  which may be selectively operated on either one of the wheels to provide for a turning capability or on both wheels. Braking members  118  are connected to rods  117 , which extend upwardly to handles  119  for activation. Thus, the braking of one of the wheels will provide a turning moment about that wheel to therefore provide for maximum manoeuverability. 
     Mounted on top of the cart sections is housing  120  which may be utilized to house the various controls. In this respect, a suitable remote control utilizing known circuitry preferably drives the cart. Also preferably provided are speakers which may be housed within the housing  120 . Speakers may be continuously emitting sounds, or activated by remote control. A sound may be emitted to imitate hog grunting or the noise an animal makes. Another embodiment of the present invention is that animals of different species can be transported with the cart of the invention. Among these animals there can be considered canine, porcine, ovine, caprine, equine, ungulates, and feline. 
     For ease of movement, the cart is provided with support wheels  122  that may be situated at the comers of the end cart sections (e.g. cart sections  12  and  14 ), or under any central cart section. 
     There are also provided bumper rollers  124  at respective corners of the cart  10 . In addition, there are provided abutment plates  128  situated at the lower portions of each side of first cart section  12  and second cart section  14 . Abutment plates  128  are adapted to contact edges of the path followed by cart  10 —i.e. the cart, particularly when it is being driven by means of the remote control, may utilize the abutment plates as the cart moves along the edge of the various cages. 
     Electric motor  180  is preferably a DC motor and powered by a rechargeable non-explosive battery. The control system may include a safety system such that upon a predetermined resistance, the drive is cut off. This would prevent any accidental crushing of any object in the path of the cart. As will be appreciated, in any building wherein several such cats may be utilized, each cart would operate on a different frequency for the remote control. 
     The remote control cart is highly suitable for practice of the method of the present invention. For example, a single worker will be located preferably at the rear of the individual cages for the sows and able to remotely control the cart transporting a hog as it moves from cage to cage for purposes of both determining estrus and for purposes of artificial insemination. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiments is for purpose of illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.