Abstract:
An immobilizing sow chute to allow hoisting and holding horizontally a sow for foot treatment. The device immobilizes the animal, allows it to be conveniently lifted and allows close work on the animal&#39;s feet to provide needed inspection and treatment/therapy without risk of either harm to the animal or the operator by being kicked by the sow.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to an immobilizing sow chute to allow for hoisting and horizontal holding of a sow for foot treatment, all done in a manner that can be accomplished by a single operator. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Lifting devices for animals are generally known. In the most general sense, they often incorporate a winch having a cable attached thereto and some form of sling lifted by the winch to cradle the animal inside of the sling apparatus. While such lifting devices are generally described and known, there is a need for a very specific lifting device, designed especially for sows to allow for foot inspection and treatment. Such a device presents unique problems. For example, an effective immobilizing sow chute must be ‘sow friendly’. That is to say, the chute must be easy to enter, easy to exit, and causes no harm or alarm to the sow when she is restrained. An effective chute must prevent the sow from fighting, squealing, and kicking while her feet are inspected and/or treated. 
         [0003]    Another special problem with sows is they are very heavy and that the hoist must allow hoisting of the animal in a manner that does not risk injury either to the animal&#39;s legs, shoulders, hips, or cause other internal injuries. Furthermore, the chute must present the sow in a manner which is safe for persons to inspect/treat the sow&#39;s feet. One way of avoiding injuries to the animal is to provide adequate support through the sling, while maintaining the animal in a standing position during lifting. Therefore the weight is equally distributed. 
         [0004]    Finally, an effective sling to immobilize sows for foot examination must be one which can be operated by a single operator, because many times no one else is around. 
         [0005]    A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a sling which solves each of the above problems and fulfills each of the needs created by these problems; that is to say this sow chute is one in which the animal can be easily driven; one in which the animal can be hoisted without high risk of injury; one in which the animal can be immobilized and held substantially horizontally; and one which can be operated by a single operator. 
         [0006]    Another object of the invention is to provide an immobilizing sow chute which fulfills each of the above needs and accomplishes each of the above objectives with a device that is easy to manufacture and simple and effective in operation. 
         [0007]    The method and means of accomplishing each of the above objectives as well as others will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An immobilizing sow chute to allow hoisting and holding horizontally a sow for foot treatment. The device immobilizes the animal, allows it to be conveniently lifted and allows close work on the animal&#39;s feet to provide needed inspection and treatment/therapy without risk of either harm to the animal or the operator by being kicked by the sow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the immobilizing sow chute of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  with the sow in the chute ready to be immobilized. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the chute shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the sow in lifted position with its feet in position for examination and, if necessary, treatment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0012]    Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1  there is shown an immobilizing sow chute system  10 . The system  10  is comprised of a chute frame  12  having a front entrance  14  and a rear end  16  blocked to prevent egress by bars  18 ,  20  and  22 . Mounted within chute frame  12  for vertical raising and lowering is a sling  24 . Sling  24  has support straps  26  mounted to allow areas for sow&#39;s feet to fit through the sling straps. Sling  24  is attached to a rotatably mounted hand winch mechanism  26  and turning of winch mechanism  26  results in sprocket  28 , operably connected to sprocket  30  via endless chain drive  32 , to rotate. As a result, rotating the handle of winch mechanism  26  pulls up vertically sling  24  since it is connected to the winch via chain  34  and  36  which rolls up onto rollers  35  and  37 , attached to sprockets  28  and  30 . Correspondingly hand winch  26  can be rotated the opposite direction to lower the sling  24  down. Thus, when a sow  38  is driven into the chute via entrance  14 , hand powered winch  26  can be rolled up to eliminate the slack in the sling and gently bring in into contact with the sow&#39;s belly. The animal&#39;s four legs stay on the floor for the reason of apertures  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44  in the sling straps  26 A. In this manner the animal is gently fitted into the sling and put into position ready for raising. After the slack is taken up, a motor driven winch mechanism  46  mounted on the top of chute frame  12  is operated. The winch mechanism  46  includes at least one cable  48  attached to the chute cage  50 . Chute cage  50  is mounted so that it may be raised and lowered within chute frame  12  via operation of motor driven winch  46  and cable  48  connected via hook  49  to draw loop  49 A. The cage moves up and down like an elevator, with the sow carried in sling  26 . 
         [0013]    It goes without saying that while this general description has been given for sows, the system can be used for gilts, boars or other animals as well. In general it has use for any domestic animal of considerable weight that needs to be held suspended upright for foot inspection. 
         [0014]    From the above description it can be seen how the immobilizing sow chute can assist an animal handler in lifting a sow in need of foot examination and perhaps treatment. The sow  52  is driven through entrance  14  to stand in the sling  24  which rests on the ground  54 . The sow&#39;s feet rest on ground  54  inside of the sling  24  through apertures  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44 . Thereafter the user or animal handler raises hand powered winch  26  up under the animal&#39;s belly by turning handle  26  so that the sling  24  gently moves into proper position of supporting the belly or underside of the sow  52 . After the slack is out, motor driven power winch  46  is operated and since it is operably connected to the cage  50 , the cage rises vertically in chute frame  12 . The animal then is immobilized and suspended in the air above the ground  54 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Its feet  56  may be closely inspected without danger. Upon lowering back to the ground, the sow  52  again stands on the ground  54  and is prevented from going out the back of the cage by bars  18 ,  20  and  22 , and must therefore back out through the entrance  14  and is then free to go where it wishes. 
         [0015]    From the above description it can be seen that the animal can be easily driven into the cage  50 , will not go through the cage because of bars  18 ,  20  and  22  and that it can be easily hoisted and maintained in a horizontal position without significant injury risk. Likewise while immobilized it&#39;s feet  56  can be examined and, if necessary, treated and then the animal  52  lowered and egress allowed. Importantly, this can all be accomplished by a single operator. 
         [0016]    It therefore can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.