US 3095576 A
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Description (OCR text may contain errors)
y 2, 1963 E. w. JENTER 3,095,576
APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS Filed May 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E llswor/h W. Jenfer INVENTOK,
July 2, 1963 E.W. JENTER APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1962 IN VEN TOR.
M w W. m m E United States Patent 3,095,576 APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS Ellsworth W. Jenter, Rte. 1, Arlee, Mont. Filed May 24, 1962, Ser. No. 197,367 I 3 Claims. (Cl. 251) The present invention is generally concerned with the treatment of small animals, such as baby pigs, and more particularly with the provision of an apron having means thereon for holding the pig while it is being worked on.
.In the raising of pigs, the necessity of providing extensive treatmentfor baby pigs, from birth to approximately three weeks of age, generally results in a difiicult and time-consuming process usually requiring the eiforts of at least two persons. This difliculty arises from the necessity of both catching the elusive baby pig and then rigidly holding it while performing any of a variety of operations such as castrating, vaccinating, cutting needle teeth or giving oral medications.
Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention involves the provision of a device consisting of an apron having means thereon for positioning a baby pig within easy reach of the wearer of the apron.
In connection with the above object, another object of the invention resides in the provision of a means for holding the baby pig in a manner so as to prevent any movement while being treated.
Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apron containing the above noted features which can be worn in a manner so as to provide complete freedom of movement to the wearer thereof so as to enable this wearer to readily chase after the baby pigs, as well as easily cross from one pen to another.
Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pig treating apron containing various receptacles or pockets so as to enable the carrying of all essential tools and medications.
A final significant object to be particularly mentioned involves the provision of a means wherein a single person can quickly and easily treat small pigs, the necessity of the use of another person to assist in the catching and holding of the pigs being eliminated.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the apron comprising the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a view illustrating the manner in which a baby pig is to be positioned during the treatment of the rear portion of the pig;
FIGURE 3 is a view illustrating the positioning of the baby pig while administering oral medication;
FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIGURE 1; and
FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 55 of FIGURE 1.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral generally designates the apron comprising the present invention. This apron 10, provided with a reinforced edging 12 if so desired, consists essentially of an upper body portion 14 and a lower bifurcated portion 16, its lower bifurcated portion 16 forming two depending leg portions 18 and 20 provided with a space 22 therebetween.
In order to secure the apron 10 to a wearer 24, an upper waist encircling adjustable belt 26 is provided. This belt 26 is provided with a buckle means 28 capable of adjusting to any size, the buckle means 28 being posiice tioned so as to be located at the side of the wearer thereby avoiding any interference with the treatment of a baby pig 30. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the leg portions18 and 20 are also provided with straps or belts 32 and 34, each positioned approximately mid-height and including releasable clasps 36 and 38.
Positioned above and in alignment with the space 22 is a downwardly tapering pocket 40 open at both the upper end 42 and the lower end 44, with the lower end 44 terminating at the upper limit of the space 22 for reasons which shall be pointed out presently.
This pocket 40 is shaped so as to firmly receive a baby pig 30 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 to rigidly anchor the pig while it is being treated. In order to prevent the creeping out of the baby pig 30, it is contemplated that a conically shaped metallic receptacle 46 be provided within the pocket 40. This metallic receptacle 46, having an open top 48 and an open lower end 50 is to be slightly longer than the pocket 40 so as to present a lower projecting portion 52 capable of being grasped between the legs 54 and 56 of the wearer 24 of the device 10, thereby providing a means for further stabilizing the held baby pig 30.
In order to make the pig treating apron 10 completely self-contained, an enlarged pocket 58 is provided for enabling the convenient carrying of various tools 60, and medications 62 to be used in the treatment of the pigs 30. Further, in order to insure proper sanitary methods of treatment, it is contemplated that a third pocket 64 be provided, this pocket formed with a rigid leak-proof inner container 66, preferably of a hard plastic, for the containing of a suitable disinfectant used for sterilizing the various tools or implements 60. If so desired, a cap or closure member, not illustrated, can be provided for this pocket 64.
This apron, preferably made of heavy canvas, as are the pockets 40, 58, and 64 which are stitched thereto, is additionally intended to be provided with a plurality of darts 68 so as to more readily conform the apron 10 to the wearer 24.
In view of the foregoing, it is considered to be readily apparent that a novel device has been defined which enables the treatment of baby pigs as a one-man operation. This is brought about by the use of a body encircling apron containing a bifurcated lower portion and a centrally located pig retaining receptacle, as well as various pockets for the containing of medication and tools, thus enabling the wearer of the apron to quickly catch and treat the individual baby pigs.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.
What is claimed as new is as follows:
1. An apron for use when treating small pigs comprising, a body portion, the lower section of said body portion being bifurcated so as to form two spaced depending leg portions, a downwardly tapered pocket secured to the body portion centrally thereof substantially in line with the space between the leg portions, the lower edge of the pocket substantially coinciding with the upper limit of the bifurcation, said pocket being open at the top and bottom, and a'hollow tapered metallic receptacle provided in said pocket.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the receptacle extends below the open bottom of the pocket a sufficient distance so as to be grasped between the legs of a wearer of the apron.
3. A device for use in firmly securing a small pig during the treatment of said pig comprising a flexible panel positionable .about the body of a wearer of the device, said panel having a bifurcated lower section so as to form two spaced depending leg portions engageable over the legs of the wearer, the upper limit of the bifurcation being located substantially in the area of the groin when the device is positioned about the body of a wearer, an elongated downwardly tapered receiving socket secured to the panel centrally thereof in line with the bifurcation with the lower edge of the socket coinciding with the upper limit of the bifurcation, said socket having an open top and bottom, and a hollow tapered rigid substantially smooth receptacle provided in said socket for the wedging reception of a substantial portion of a small pig therein, said receptacle being longer than said socket and having its lower end extending through the open lower end of the socket a distance sufiicient so as to enable the wearer to grasp this lower end of the receptacle between his legs for stabilizing the receptacle.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,404,987 Lundquist Jan. 31, 1922 1,411,562 Christian Apr. 4, 1922 1,675,072 Watermon June 26, 1928 2,171,676 Wallace Sept. 5, 1939 2,319,938 Markins May 25, 1943 2,785,409 Lackey Mar. 19, 1957 2,788,767 Dooley Apr. 16, 1957