Animal birth detector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention comprises an animal birth detector for mounting proximate the animal's vulva whereby a contained transmitter may emit a signal to an awaiting transmitter to indicate that the animal is actually in the process of birthing the fetus.
More specifically, the size of the animal's vulva is monitored by sensing its diameter during the process of dilation and when the diameter exceeds a specified distance indicative of birth, the transmitter is energized.
The means by which the width of the vulva is sensed comprises a transmitter circuit having a reed relay switch in its circuitry.
The reed relay switch is located as near one side of the vulva as possible and the sensed bar magnet is located on the other side of the vulva.
Once the bar magnet has passed out of the sensing area of the reed relay switch so that the magnet's magnetic field is no longer closing the switch, the switch opens which in turn energizes the transmitter which commences transmitting its signal.
The stockman, who is monitoring a receiver, picks up the transmitted signal.
The frequency of the transmitted signal is such that a direction finding antenna may be utilized in combination with the receiver to point the general direction in which the animal is located, if the animal is not penned.
The stockman then may seek out the animal and ascertain that the fetus and the mother are in satisfactory condition.
The transmitter and the bar magnet are held in proximity to the animal's vulva by adhesive coated or suture attached vinyl pads which are adapted to hold the transmitter and magnet in pouches formed therein.
An adhesive release strip is pulled from the adhesive coated side of the vinyl pad and after the appropriate area on the rear of the animal has been cleansed, the pad is adhered to the animal's skin in position.
Means are also provided to permit the suturing of the pad in place upon the animal's rear section.
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a means to detect the birth of an animal fetus