Patent Document ID: 4785817
Application ID: 06917562
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A transducer system for evaluating and grading an animal, comprising: a first ultrasonic transducer probe; a first transducer support unit for positioning said first ultrasonic transducer probe over a predetermined location along the backbone of the animal for untrasonically scanning a first predetermined region and producing first output signals for measuring back fat and meat quality and quantity in said first region, said first support unit including (a) an elongated support arm; (b) means at a first end of said support arm for engaging the tail region of the animal and for positioning the support unit along the backbone of the animal; and (c) bracket means at a second end of said support arm receiving and securing said first probe, said support arm being adjustable in length to position said probe means over said predetermined location along the backbone of the animal said bracket means securing said first ultrasonic transducer probe so as to direct ultrasonic signals into said first region; a second ultrasonic transducer probe; a second transducer support unit for positioning said second ultrasonic transducer probe over the upper leg portion of the animal for ultrasonically scanning a second predetermined region for measuring fat thickness and meat quantity and profile, comprising (a) collar means shaped to surround and engage the leg portion of the animal; and (b) a depending clamp secured to said collar means and receiving and securing said second ultrasonic transducer probe, said collar means being sized and shaped to position said second transducer along the upper leg area of the animal so as to direct ultrasonic signals into said second region; means connected to said first and second ultrasonic transducer probes and responsive to said first and second output signals for producing images of the ultrasonically scanned regions of the animal at said predetermined location along the backbone and along said upper leg area, said images permitting visual grading of the aniaml.