Hanger assembly for monitoring device, rail assembly, and related methods

Abstract

An aviary monitoring system includes a rail assembly (404) and a monitoring device (402) coupled to the rail assembly (404) via a hanger assembly (406). The hanger assembly (406) includes at least one wheel member (418, 420) having a center cylindrical portion (604) and two opposing gear portions (606, 608) extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion (604). The rail assembly (404) comprises a rail (432) having two linear gears (436, 602) attached to opposing, lateral sides of the rail (432).

Description

HANGER ASSEMBLY FOR MONITORING DEVICE, RAIL ASSEMBLY, AND RELATED METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of EP Application No. 23382877.1, filed August 28, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Precision livestock farming (PLF) is an emerging sector in the field of research and development of tools for livestock management and continuous real-time monitoring of livestock. One of the primary goals of PLF is to facilitate animal welfare, avoid diseases, and increase productivity.

[0003] For example, broiler chickens (also referred to as "broilers") and egg-laying chickens are susceptible to many diseases including, for example, skeletal malformation and dysfunction, skin and eye lesions, congestive heart conditions, aspergillosis, infection by ascites diseases, avian influenza (bird flu), Newcastle disease, chronic respiratory disease, fowl cholera, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and internal parasites. In addition, conditions within the environment of the animal, such as ammonia or other gas concentrations, may affect the health of the animal.

[0004] An aviary system (also referred to as an "aviary house" or a "henhouse") is a housing configured to facilitate non-cage housing of egg laying hens. Eggs from hens living in non-cage system are so-called "cage free" eggs. The aviary system helps hens perform and maintain natural behavior, such as scratching, ground pecking, dust bathing, a natural amount of pecking (e.g., to establish a pecking order), and foraging for food. Some systems comprise so-called "single-tiered" non-cage systems including only one level of living area and nests for the hens. Other aviary systems comprise so-called "multi-tiered" non-cage systems including several levels of perforated floors, nests, and manure belts to increase a density and living space of the hens in the aviary system, increasing the efficiency of the aviary system. Multi-tiered non-cage systems may enable higher stocking densities of the hens, such as about 18 hens per square meter of floor housing.

[0005] The hens may move freely through the aviary system to different feeders, drinking lines, perches, and nest boxes, allowing the hens to perform nest seeking and egg-laying behaviors in communal nests and other natural behaviors. The levels may be interconnected with each other by means of ramps or approach perches to provide a continuous pathway for the hens to travel between nests, water lines, and feeders among the different vertical levels.

[0006] However, the operation of aviary systems is a complicated process and involves balancing many conditions system (e.g., temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, ammonia concentration, ventilation, noise, lighting) and maintaining healthy behaviors of the hens while reducing unhealthy behaviors such as feather pecking, egg laying outside of the nests, piling of the hens in one or more areas, and proper feeding habits, among other things.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] Some embodiments include an aviary monitoring system including a rail assembly and a monitoring device coupled to the rail assembly via a hanger assembly includes at least one wheel member includes a center cylindrical portion, and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion.

[0008] The hanger assembly may further include a mounting member connected to the monitoring device, a cross member pivotably coupled to the mounting member proximate a vertical top of the mounting member, and at least one mounting bracket attached at one end to the cross member, proximate a longitudinal end of the cross member, and at another end to the at least one wheel member.

[0009] Each of the two opposing gear portions may include a circular gear includes a plurality of teeth extending radially outward.

[0010] The rail assembly may include a first rail extending in a direction oblique to a horizontal plane, and two linear gears attached to opposing lateral sides of the first rail. Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

[0011] The cross member may be pivotably coupled to the mounting member at at least substantially a longitudinal center of the cross member.

[0012] The at least one mounting bracket may include a first mounting bracket attached to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member and a second mounting bracket attached to the cross member proximate a second, opposite longitudinal end of the cross member.

[0013] The at least one wheel member may include a first wheel member coupled to the first mounting bracket and a second wheel member coupled to the second mounting bracket, where an axis of rotation of the first wheel member is parallel to an axis of rotation of the second wheel member.

[0014] The aviary monitoring system may also include at least one dampener assembly coupled to and between a body of the monitoring device and the cross member.

[0015] The at least one dampener assembly may include a first dampener assembly coupled to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member and a second dampener assembly coupled to the cross member proximate a second longitudinal end of the cross member, opposite the first longitudinal end of the cross member.

[0016] The rail assembly may further include a second rail connected to a first longitudinal end of the first rail and extending longitudinally in a horizontal direction, and a third rail connected to a second longitudinal end of the first rail and extending longitudinally in the horizontal direction.

[0017] The rail assembly may further include a retention rail coupled to and oriented above the first rail.

[0018] One or more embodiments may include a method of forming an aviary monitoring system. The method may include forming a hanger assembly, attaching the hanger assembly to a monitoring device, and coupling the monitoring device to a rail assembly via the hanger assembly. Forming the hanger assembly may include forming at least one wheel member including a center cylindrical portion and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion.

[0019] Forming the hanger assembly may further include pivotably coupling a cross member to a mounting member proximate a longitudinal end of the mounting member, attaching at least one mounting bracket at one end to the cross member proximate alongitudinal end of the cross member, and coupling the at least one wheel member to another end of the at least one mounting bracket.

[0020] Coupling the monitoring device to the rail assembly via the hanger assembly may include coupling the monitoring device to the rail assembly includes at least one rail extending in a direction oblique to a horizontal plane, and two linear gears attached to opposing lateral sides of the at least one rail.

[0021] Pivotably coupling the cross member to the mounting member may include pivotably coupling the cross member to the mounting member at at least substantially a longitudinal center of the cross member.

[0022] Attaching at least one mounting bracket at one end to the cross member proximate a longitudinal end of the cross member may include attaching a first mounting bracket to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member and attaching a second mounting bracket to the cross member proximate a second, opposite longitudinal end of the cross member.

[0023] Coupling the at least one wheel member to another end of the at least one mounting bracket may include coupling a first wheel member to the first mounting bracket and coupling a second wheel member to the second mounting bracket such that an axis of rotation of the first wheel member is parallel to an axis of rotation of the second wheel member.

[0024] The method may further include coupling at least one dampener assembly to and between a body of the monitoring device and the cross member.

[0025] Coupling at least one dampener assembly to and between the body of the monitoring device and the cross member may include coupling a first dampener assembly to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member, and coupling a second dampener assembly to the cross member proximate a second longitudinal end of the cross member, opposite the first longitudinal end of the cross member.

[0026] Some embodiments include a hanger assembly configured to couple a monitoring device to a rail assembly within an aviary. The hanger assembly may include at least one wheel member including a center cylindrical portion and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion.

[0027] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

[0028] Within the scope of this application, it should be understood that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out herein, and individual features thereof may be taken independently or in any possible and compatible combination. Where features are described with reference to a single aspect or embodiment, it should be understood that such features are applicable to all aspects and embodiments unless otherwise stated or where such features are incompatible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an aviary system and monitoring system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIGS. 2A-2B show various views of a monitoring device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIGS. 3A-3C show various views of another monitoring device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIGS. 4-7 show various views of a hanger assembly and a rail assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a computer device according to embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular aviary system, monitoring system, monitoring device, rail assembly, hanger assembly, component, or system, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe embodiments of the disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation for convenience and clarity.

[0036] The following description provides specific details of embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all the elements that form a complete structure or assembly. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additionalconventional acts and structures may be used. The drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0037] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0038] As used herein, the singular forms following "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0040] As used herein, the term "configured" refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0041] As used herein, any relational term, such as "first," "second," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "above," "beneath," "side," "outer," "inner," etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of a hanger assembly, a monitoring device, and / or a rail assembly as illustrated in the drawings. Additionally, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of a hanger assembly, a monitoring device, and / or a rail assembly when utilized in a conventional manners.

[0042] As used herein, the term "substantially" in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter,property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0043] As used herein, the term "about" used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.).

[0044] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an environment 102 in which an aviary monitoring system 104 may operate, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the environment 102 may include an aviary system 106 for housing poultry, such as laying hens, broilers (e.g., broiler chickens), turkeys, ducks, geese, partridges, quails, pheasants, and / or pigeons. In some embodiments, the aviary system 106 may be configured to house laying hens. For convenience, the aviary system 106 and the aviary monitoring system 104 are described herein in terms of hens, such as egg-laying hens; however, it will be understood that the aviary monitoring system 104 may be used with other types of poultry. The aviary system 106 may also be referred to herein as an "aviary" or an "egg-laying aviary."

[0046] A monitoring device 108 (also referred to as a "robot" or a "monitoring robot") may be operably coupled to the aviary monitoring system 104 and configured to receive (e.g., detect, measure, determine) one or more conditions (e.g., condition data) within the aviary system 106, and receive (e.g., capture) one or both of image data (e.g., image data, video data) and thermal image data (e.g., infrared (IR) thermal data) of chickens (e.g., egg-laying hens) within the aviary system 106. Furthermore, the aviary monitoring system 104 may analyze the image data and the thermal image data to determine one or more properties of the hens via any of the manners described in, for example, EP23382164.4, to Larriba et al., filed February 23, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein..

[0047] Referring still to FIG. 1, the monitoring device 108 may be operably coupled to a monitoring device controller 110 via, for example, one or more cables or a wireless network. In some embodiments, the environment 102 may include the monitoring device 108 coupled tothe monitoring device controller 110, at least one client device 112, at least one server 114 including the aviary monitoring system 104, and a network 116. The aviary monitoring system 104, the client device 112, and the monitoring device controller 110 may communicate via the network 116. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a particular arrangement of the client device 112, the server 114, and the monitoring device controller 110, various additional arrangements are possible. For example, the server 114 and, accordingly, the aviary monitoring system 104, can communicate directly with the client device 112 and / or the monitoring device controller 110, thereby passing the network 116.

[0048] In some embodiments, a user may interface with the client device 112, for example, to communicate with the server 114 and to utilize the aviary monitoring system 104 to monitor conditions within the aviary system 106. The user may include one or more operators of the aviary system 106. Although FIG. 1 only shows a single client device 112, the environment 102 may include any number of client devices 112 in communication with the network 116, the server 114, and / or the monitoring device controller 110.

[0049] In some embodiments, the client device 112 may include a client application installed thereon. In one or more embodiments, the client application can be associated with the aviary monitoring system 190. For example, the client application may allow the client device 112 to directly or indirectly interface with the aviary monitoring system 104 of the server 114. The client application also enables a user (e.g., an operator) to initiate measurements via the aviary monitoring system 104 and observe any results of the measurements.

[0050] Both the client device 112 and the server 114 (and the aviary monitoring system 104) can represent various types of computing devices with which operators can interact. For example, the client device 112 and / or the server 114 may include a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, a laptop, a watch, a wearable device, etc.). In some embodiments, however, the client device 112 and / or server 114 can be a non-mobile device (e.g., a desktop or server). In some embodiments, the server 114 may include a cloud computing platform and may be configured to perform processing required to implement the aviary monitoring system 104. In one or more embodiments, the server 114 may include a web server that provides a web site that can be used by operators of the aviary system 106 via a remoteclient device 112. Additional details with respect to the client device 112 and the server 114 are discussed below with respect to FIG. 8.

[0051] Referring still to FIG. 1, while the aviary monitoring system 104 is depicted as being a portion of (e.g., implemented by) the server 114, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, in some embodiments, the aviary monitoring system 104 may be implemented at one or more of the client device 112, the monitoring device 108, the controller 110, or the server 114. In some embodiments, the aviary monitoring system 104 may be implemented at a computing device that is local to the aviary system 106 (e.g., edge computing). In some embodiments, the aviary monitoring system 104 may be implemented at different devices of the environment 102 operating according to a primary-secondary configuration or peer-to-peer configuration. For purposes of illustration and convenience, implementation of the aviary monitoring system 104 is described herein as being implemented by the server 114, with the understanding that functionality may be implemented in other and / or additional devices.

[0052] The network 192 may include one or more networks, such as the Internet, and can use one or more communications platforms or technologies suitable for transmitting data and / or communication signals. As a non-limiting example, the network 116 may utilize one or more of near field communication (NFC), BLUETOOTH ©, wireless / cellular networks, wide area networks (WAN), wired communications, or any other conventional network for transmitting data and / or communication signals between the monitoring device controller 110, the client device 112, the server 114, and the aviary monitoring system 104.

[0053] In some embodiments, the monitoring device controller 110 is configured receive the condition data, image data, and / or thermal image data from the monitoring device 108 and transmit the condition data, the image data, and the thermal image data to the aviary monitoring system 104 for processing. For example, the controller 110 may be configured to receive and transmit data via any of the manners described in, for example, EP23382164.4.

[0054] The aviary system 106 may include a so-called "cage-free" aviary system, which may also be referred to herein as a "floor" aviary system, a "free range" aviary system, or a "European style" aviary system. In some embodiments, the aviary system 106 includes an egglaying aviary system and is configured to house hens, such as egg-laying hens. In some such embodiments, the hens do not include broiler chickens that are bred and raised specifically formeat production. The aviary system 106 may also be referred to herein as an "egg-laying aviary" or more simply as an "aviary. The aviary system 106 may be configured to replicate a natural environment for the poultry to facilitate a tendency of the poultry to exhibit natural behavior, allowing the poultry to freely walk, peck, and scratch at litter, facilitating a healthy flock.

[0055] The aviary system 106 may be arranged and configured to include aisles 118 through which workers may access different levels, regions, and components of the aviary system 106. Some of the aisles 118 are located between the exterior walls and the levels of the aviary system 106. Other aisles 118 are located distal from the exterior walls and between rows of aviary system 106, such as between perching areas and nesting areas or between horizontally neighboring nesting areas.

[0056] The aisles 118 may provide space for a monitoring device 108 to traverse through the aviary system 106 and detect one or more conditions (e.g., ambient conditions) within the aviary system 106 and simultaneously capture image data and the thermal image data within the aviary system 106. The monitoring device 108 may be suspended from the ceiling of the aviary system 106 and configured to traverse the aviary system 106 by means of rails 120 connecting the monitoring device 108 to the ceiling by means of support brackets 122. In other words, the support brackets 122 are coupled to (e.g., mounted to, secured to) the ceiling of the aviary system 106 and the rails 120 are connected to the support brackets 122 (e.g., hung from the support brackets 122). The monitoring device 108 may be suspended from the rails 120 by means of wheels or rollers configured to facilitate sliding movement of the monitoring device 108 along the rails 120. In other embodiments, the rails 120 may be attached to the ceiling by structures other than the support brackets 122. For example, in some embodiments, the rails 120 are attached to support cables or wires that are, in turn, coupled to the ceiling. The rails 120, brackets 122, and wheels of the monitoring device 108 are described in greater detail below.

[0057] While FIG. 1 illustrates five monitoring systems 104, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, in some embodiments, the aviary system 106 includes a single monitoring device 108 configured to traverse through and between the aisles 118 and measure one or more conditions within the aviary system 106. The illustrated monitoring systems 104 in FIG. 1 illustrates example locations of where the monitoring device 108 may be located within theaviary system 106. In other embodiments, the aviary system 106 includes more than one of the monitoring devices 108 (e.g., two, three, four, six, of the monitoring devices 130).

[0058] FIG. 2A is a simplified, partial side view of the monitoring device 108, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2B is a simplified, partial perspective view of the monitoring device 108. For clarity and ease of understanding the description, the support brackets 122 are not illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the monitoring device 108 may be connected to the rails 120 by wheels 202. In some embodiments, the monitoring device 108 includes two wheels 202. The wheels 202 are configured to engage with the rails 120 and roll along to rails 120 to provide sliding movement or translating of the monitoring device 108 relative to the rails 120.

[0060] Each of the wheels 202 may be operably coupled to a motor 204 (FIG. 2B) configured to providing a driving force to facilitate rotating the wheel 202 relative to and along the rails 120 and to effectuate a sliding movement of the monitoring device 108 along the rails 120. In some embodiments, a bracket 122 may couple at least one of the wheels 202 and the motor 204 to a main body of the monitoring device 108.

[0061] In some embodiments, the monitoring device 108 may include a plurality of distinct equipment modules 206, 208, 210 vertically separated from one another, each including at least one camera (e.g., an image camera, a video camera, a thermal image camera) configured for capturing image data and / or thermal image data within the aviary system 106. At least one of the equipment modules further includes one or more sensors configured for measuring one or more conditions within the aviary system 106.

[0062] The plurality of equipment modules 206, 208, 210 may be connected together via one or more connecting members 212. The one or more connecting members 212 may include one or more telescoping means to facilitate increasing or decreasing a length of the connecting members 212 for use of the monitoring device 108 in different aviary systems 106. The connecting members 212 may be configured to telescope or contract to adjust the vertical distance between the equipment modules 206, 208, 210 from one another and adjust the vertical distance of the equipment modules 206, 208, 210 from the floor and the rails 120,depending on the configuration of the aviary system 106 (e.g., the height of the components of the aviary system 106, the height of the levels of the aviary system 106).

[0063] Each of the equipment modules 206, 208, 210 may include one or more cameras 214. The one or more cameras 214 may include one or more of an image camera, a thermal image camera (also referred to herein as a "thermal camera," a "thermal imaging camera," or a "thermographic camera), or both. As used herein, an "image camera" includes a camera (e.g., a still image camera, a video camera) configured to capture image data and / or video data and may include one or more of a red, green, blue (RGB) camera, a RGB-IR camera (configured to provide visible images and thermal (e.g., IR) images), a 3D laser scanner (LiDAR), a 2D laser scanner (LiDAR), a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a stereoscopic camera, a monoscopic camera, a shortwave infrared (SWIR) camera, or a digital single-reflex camera. As used herein, a "thermal image camera" includes one or more of an infrared (IR) camera, an RGB-IR camera, or another camera configured to capture thermal image data (e.g., data related to a thermal image, such as data representing thermal radiation (e.g., IR radiation)).

[0064] Each of the cameras 214 may be configured to capture image data including one or more of relatively high resolution color images / video, relatively high resolution infrared images / video, or light detection and ranging data. In some embodiments, each of the cameras 214 may be configured to capture image data and / or thermal image data at multiple focal lengths. In some embodiments, each of the cameras 214 may be configured to combine multiple exposures into a single high-resolution image / video. In some embodiments, each of the cameras 214 may include multiple image sensors (e.g., cameras) with viewing angles facing different directions. For instance, a first image sensor may generally face forward (e.g., in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the monitoring device 108), and a second image sensor may generally face downward toward the floor.

[0065] In some embodiments, the monitoring device 108 may further include one or more of a light source, an ultrasonic sensors, an airflow sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor, an ammonia (NH3) sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor. For example, the monitoring device 108 may include any of the sensors describe in, for example, EP23382164.4.

[0066] With combined reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 2B, in use and operation, the monitoring device 108 may traverse through the aviary system 106 and captures condition data to identify one or more conditions in the aviary system 106; and the monitoring device 108 captures image data and thermal image data and transmits the condition data, the image data, and the thermal image data to one or more of the monitoring device controller 110, the client device 112, the network 116, the server 114, and the aviary monitoring system 104 to determine one or more properties of the hens. The one or more properties of the hens may include one or more of a distribution of the hens (quantified as a distribution index, as described in further detail below), an activity level of the hens, a characterization of the behavior of the hens, a plumage score of the hens, a location of dead hens, a location of one or more stray eggs, an indication of the quantity of feathers on the ground, and a quality of the manure of the hens. For example, the monitoring device 108 may operate via any of the manners described in, for example, EP23382164.4.

[0067] Moreover, based on the identified one or more conditions in the aviary system 106 and / or the one or more identified properties of the hens, the aviary monitoring system 104 may provide a visual indication (e.g., such as on the client device 112) of the one or more identified conditions and identified properties to assist a user in operating the aviary system 106. For example, the aviary monitoring system 104 may provide a warning to the user if the one or more properties falls outside of a predetermined range and if the one or more properties of the hens falls outside of a predetermined range.

[0068] FIG. 3A is a simplified, partial perspective view of a monitoring device 302, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3B is a simplified, partial front view of the monitoring device 302. FIG. 3C is a simplified, partial side view of the monitoring device 302.

[0069] The monitoring device 302 may be sized, shaped, and configured to traverse through an aviary system having no aisle (e.g., aisles 118) or smaller aisles than aviary systems for which the monitoring device 108 may be used. As described above with reference to the monitoring device 108, the monitoring device 302 may be used to measure one or more conditions of an aviary system and / or one or more properties of hens in an aviary system. The monitoring device 302 may replace the monitoring device 108 previously described above with reference to FIG. 1. Components (e.g., sensors, cameras) of the monitoring device 302substantially similar to corresponding components of the monitoring device 108 are not described in detail herein, as they are previously described with reference to the monitoring device 108.

[0070] Collectively referring to FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, the monitoring device 302 may include a unitary body 304 configured to be coupled rails (e.g., rails 120) by means of wheels 306. The wheels 306 may be coupled to bracket 122 that couples the wheels 306 to the unitary body 304 such that movement of the wheels 306 causes movement of the unitary body 304.

[0071] The unitary body 304 includes a plurality of sensors configured to receive (e.g., detect, measure, determine) one or more conditions (e.g., condition data) within the aviary system. For example, the unitary body 304 may include a light source 308, an ultrasonic sensor 310 (an airflow sensor), a light sensor 312, a sound sensor 314, a carbon dioxide sensor 316, an ammonia sensor 318, and a temperature and humidity sensor 320.

[0072] The unitary body 304 may further include a first camera 322, a second camera 324, a third camera 326, and a fourth camera 328. In some embodiments, the field of view of each of the first camera 322, the second camera 324, the third camera 326, and the fourth camera 328 are different. In some embodiments, the field of view of each of the first camera 322, the second camera 324, and the third camera 326 is substantially horizontal and the field of view of the fourth camera 328 is in the vertical direction (e.g., substantially downwards).

[0073] The field of view of the first camera 322 may be opposite the field of view of the second camera 324, both of which may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the monitoring device 302 along the rails. The field of view of the first camera 322 may further be substantially perpendicular to the field of view of the third camera 326 in a first direction and substantially perpendicular to the field of view of the fourth camera 328 in a second direction. Similarly, the field of view of the second camera 324 may be substantially perpendicular to the field of view of the third camera 326 in the first direction and substantially perpendicular to the field of view of the fourth camera 328 in the second direction. In addition, the field of view of the third camera 326 may be substantially perpendicular to the field of view of the fourth camera 328 in the second direction.

[0074] The monitoring device 302 may be used in an aviary system (e.g., aviary system106) and an environment (e.g., environment) to monitor one or more conditions of the aviary system and one or more properties of hens of the aviary system.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a monitoring device 402 coupled to a rail assembly 404 via a hanger assembly 406 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of the monitoring device 402, the hanger assembly 406, and the rail assembly 404 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows a rear partial perspective view of the monitoring device 402, the hanger assembly 406, and the rail assembly 404 of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 shows an additional enlarged perspective view of the monitoring device 402, the hanger assembly 406, and the rail assembly 404 of FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 4-7 together, while a portion (e.g., a unitary body) of a monitoring device, such as the monitoring device 402 described above in regard to FIGS. 3A-3C, is shown in FIGS. 4-7, the disclosure is not so limited, and any of the monitoring devices described herein may be coupled to the rail assembly 404 via the hanger assembly 406 depicted in and described in relation to FIGS. 4-7. As is described in detail below, the hanger assembly 406 and the rail assembly 404 may enable the monitoring device 402 to change elevations (e.g., levels of the aviary system) during operation.

[0076] Referring still to FIGS. 4-7 together, the hanger assembly 406 may include a mounting member 408, a cross member 410, a first dampener assembly 412, a second dampener assembly 502, a first mounting bracket 414, a second mounting bracket 416, a first wheel member 418, a second wheel member 420, a first motor 422, a second motor 424, a first retainer member 426, and a second retainer member 428.

[0077] The mounting member 408 may be connected to the monitoring device 402 on a top portion of the monitoring device 402. For example, the mounting member 408 may be connected to a unitary body 430 of the monitoring device 402. In some embodiments, the mounting member 408 may extend vertically upward from the top portion of the monitoring device 402. Furthermore, the mounting member 408 may be at least substantially centered horizontally on the monitoring device 108. For example, the mounting member 408 may be at least substantially aligned with a center vertical axis of the monitoring device 402. As is described in greater detail below, having the mounting member 408 centered horizontallyprovide balance and stability during operating of the monitoring device 402 and changing elevations.

[0078] The cross member 410 may be coupled to a top portion of the mounting member 408 (e.g., proximate a vertical top of the mounting member 408). For example, the cross member 410 may be pivotably coupled to the mounting member 408 such that the cross member 410 can rotate relative to the mounting member 408. In some embodiments, the cross member 410 may be coupled to the mounting member 408 at at least substantially a longitudinal center of cross member 410 such that equal lengths of the cross member 410 extend away from the connection between the cross member 410 and the mounting member 408 in opposite directions of the connection.

[0079] The first dampener assembly 412 may be coupled to and between the cross member 410 and the monitoring device 402 and may be configured to provide a dampening effect on relative movement between the monitoring device 402 and the cross member 410. For example, the first dampener assembly 412 may dampen relative movement between the monitoring device 402 and the cross member 410. In some embodiments, the first dampener assembly 412 may include a shock absorber (e.g., a piston and cylinder). In one or more embodiments, the first dampener assembly 412 may be coupled to the cross member 410 proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member 410 and to the top portion of the monitoring device 402.

[0080] Similarly, the second dampener assembly 502 may be coupled to and between the cross member 410 and the monitoring device 402 and may also be configured to provide a dampening effect on relative movement between the monitoring device 402 and the cross member 410. In some embodiments, the second dampener assembly 5024 may include a shock absorber. In one or more embodiments, the second dampener assembly 502 may be coupled to the cross member 410 proximate a second longitudinal end of the cross member 410, opposite the first longitudinal end, and to the top portion of the monitoring device 402. In some embodiments, the hanger assembly 406 may only include a single dampener assembly.

[0081] The first mounting bracket 414 may be attached to the cross member 410 proximate the second longitudinal end of the cross member 410 and may extend generally vertically upward from the cross member 410, when the cross member 410 is extendinglongitudinally in a horizontal direction. The first wheel member 418 and the first motor 422 may be coupled to the first mounting bracket 414 on a longitudinal end of the first mounting bracket 414 opposite the cross member 410.

[0082] The second mounting bracket 416 may be attached to the cross member 410 proximate the first longitudinal end of the cross member 410 and may extend generally vertically upward from the cross member 410, when the cross member 410 is extending longitudinally in a horizontal direction. The second wheel member 420 and the second motor 424 may be coupled to the second mounting bracket 416 on a longitudinal end of the second mounting bracket 416 opposite the cross member 410.

[0083] As shown best in FIG. 6, the first motor 422 may be in line with the first wheel member 418, and the second motor 424 may be in line with the second wheel member 420. In other words, an axis of rotation of the first motor 422 may be collinear with an axis of rotation of the first wheel member 418, and an axis of rotation of the second motor 424 may be collinear with an axis of rotation of the second wheel member 420. Additionally, an axis of rotation of the first wheel member 418 may be at least substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the second wheel member 420. The wheel members are described in further detail below.

[0084] The first retainer member 426 may be coupled to the first mounting bracket 414 and may be configured to prevent the hanger assembly 406 from being disengaged from the rail assembly 404 during operation via mechanical interference with the rail assembly 404. The second retainer member 428 may be coupled to the second mounting bracket 416 and may also be configured to prevent the hanger assembly 406 from being disengaged from the rail assembly 404 during operation via mechanical interference with the rail assembly 404.

[0085] The first retainer member 426 and the second retainer member 428 may be biasedly coupled to the first mounting bracket 414 and the second mounting bracket 416, respectively. In a resting position, the first retainer member 426 and the second retainer member 428 may be configured to extend beneath a given rail (e.g., rail 432 or rail 434) while the monitoring device 402 traverses the given rail to help prevent disengagement of the hanger assembly 406 from the given rail; however, upon contact with a structure (e.g., a charging station or support structure) beneath a given rail (e.g., rail 432 and / or rail 434) or along the given rail while traversing the given rail, the first retainer member 426 and the second retainermember 428 are configured to rotate about a respective vertical axis to permit the monitoring device 402 to continue to travel along the given rail, and when the first retainer member 426 and / or the second retainer member 428 are past the structure, the first retainer member 426 and / or the second retainer member 428 are configured to return to a resting position beneath the given rail. In some embodiments, the first retainer member 426 and the second retainer member 428 may be coupled to the first mounting bracket 414 and the second mounting bracket 416, respectively, via a spring connection (e.g., a spring hinge). In some embodiments, the hanger assembly 406 may only include a single retainer member.

[0086] The rail assembly 404 may include a rail 432, a first linear gear 436 (e.g., a first rack), a second linear gear 602 (e.g., a second rack), and a retention rail 438. The first linear gear 436 may be connected to the rail 432 on a first lateral side of the rail 432 and may extend along a longitudinal length of the rail 432, and the second linear gear 602 may be connected to the rail 432 on a second, opposite lateral side of the rail 432 and may extend along the longitudinal length of the rail 432. Each of the first linear gear 436 and the second linear gear 602 may include teeth 440 (e.g., cogs) that are a least substantially aligned with each other across the rail 432. In other words, a first tooth of the first linear gear 436 may be aligned with a first tooth of the second linear gear 602 across a lateral width of the rail 120. In some embodiments, the teeth 440 of the first linear gear 436 and the second linear gear 602 may include straight teeth.

[0087] Each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may include a center cylindrical portion 604 and two opposing gear portions 606, 608. The two opposing gear portions 606, 608 may be attached to axial ends of the center cylindrical portion 604 and may share a center rotational axis with the center cylindrical portion 604. Each of the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 may extend axially and radially outward from the center cylindrical portion 604. Additionally, each of the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 may include a circular gear and may include a plurality of teeth 610 extending radially outward from a center rotating axis of the respective gear portion. In some embodiments, the teeth 610 of the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 may have one of an involute tooth shape, a cycloid tooth shape, or a trochoid tooth shape.

[0088] During operation, each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may be configured to engage the rail assembly 404. In particular, the center cylindrical portion 604 of each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may abut against an upper surface of the rail 432 and the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 of each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may engage the first and second linear gears 436, 602 of the rail assembly 404. Furthermore, the center cylindrical portion 604 may be configured to roll (e.g., rotate) along the upper surface of the rail 432, and the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 of each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may engage the first and second linear gears 436, 602 of the rail assembly 404 to form two rack and pinion pairs for each wheel member. The teeth of the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 of each of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 may extend downward along and proximate to lateral side surfaces of the rail 432 to engage the first and second linear gears 436, 602 of the rail assembly 404.

[0089] As noted above, the rail assembly 404 may include a retention rail 438. The retention rail 438 may be connected to the rail 432 via one or more connecting arms 442 and may be oriented above the rail 432. A center longitudinal axis of the retention rail 438 may be at least substantially parallel to a center longitudinal axis of the rail 432. In some embodiments, the retention rail 438 may be sized and shaped to prevent the first and second wheel members 418, 420 from being disengaged from the first linear gear 436 and the second linear gear 602 of the rail 432 while traversing the rail 432. For example, at least a portion of the retention rail 438 may be oriented to extend between the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 and proximate the cylindrical portion 604 of a given wheel member. As a result, should the given wheel member begin to become disengaged during operation, the retention rail 438 may prevent full disengagement via mechanical interference with one or more of the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 and / or the cylindrical portion 604 of the given wheel member. In some embodiments, the retention rail 438 may include an angle iron with one section oriented to extend between the two opposing gear portions 606, 608 and proximate the cylindrical portion 604 of a given wheel member while the given wheel member traverses the rail 432 (e.g., angled rail).

[0090] Referring still to FIGS. 4-7, some embodiments include a rail system having at least one rail portion extending in at least substantially a horizontal direction and at least onerail portion extending in a direction oblique to a horizontal direction and a horizontal plane. For instance, the rail system may include a plurality of rail portions extending in horizontal directions and a plurality of rail portions extending in directions oblique to the horizontal directions and a horizontal plane. As a non-limiting example, the rail system may include a first rail portion extending in a horizontal direction, a second rail portion connected to the first rail portion and extending at an acute angle upward from the horizontal direction (e.g., an inclined second rail portion), a third rail portion connected to the second rail portion and extending in the horizontal direction, a fourth rail portion connected to the third rail portion and extending at an acute angle downward from the horizontal direction (e.g., an declined second rail portion), and a fifth rail portion connected to the fourth rail portion and extending in the horizontal direction.

[0091] Furthermore, some embodiments include a rail system having at least one rail portion having linear gears attached to opposing laterals sides of the at least one rail portion and at least one rail portion free of linear gears (e.g., having no linear gears attached thereto). To facilitate description of the rail assembly 404, the rail portions having linear gears attached thereto may be referred to "geared rail portions" and rail portions not having linear gears attached thereto may be referred to as "ungeared rail portions". In view of the foregoing, the rail system may include geared rail portions and ungeared rail portions. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the geared rail portions extend in direction oblique to a horizontal plane, and the ungeared portions extend in horizontal direction (e.g., lie within a horizontal plane).

[0092] In view of the foregoing, during operation, the first motor 422 and the second motor 424 may cause the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 to rotate, respectively. Furthermore, when the monitoring device 402 is traversing along a horizontal portion of a rail 434 (e.g., a portion of rail assembly 404 extending longitudinally at least substantially entirely in a horizontal direction), engagement (e.g., friction) between the upper surface of the rail 434 and the center cylindrical portion 604 may be sufficient to cause the monitoring device 402 to travel along the rail 434. In such instances, the gear portions 606, 608 may rotate freely on opposing sides of the rail 434.

[0093] Moreover, when the monitoring device 402 encounters an angled portion of a rail432 (e.g., a portion of rail 432 that extends in a direction oblique to a horizontal plane), such asthe portion of rail 432 depicted in FIGS. 4-7) the gear portions 606, 608 of the first and second wheel members 418, 420 may engage the linear gears of the rail assembly 404. Engagement between the first and second wheel members 418, 420 and the linear gears of the rail assembly 404 may prevent the first and second wheel members 418, 420 from slipping while traversing the angled portion of the rail 432, and rotation of the first wheel member 418 and the second wheel member 420 by the first motor 422 and the second motor 424 may cause the monitoring device 402 to ascend or descend the angled portion of rail 432. Furthermore, engagement between the first and second wheel members 418, 420 and the linear gears of the rail assembly 404 may provide a controlled speed at which the monitoring device 402 travels along the angled portion of the rail 432.

[0094] Furthermore, when the monitoring device 402 transitions from a horizontal portion of rail 434 and an angled portion of rail 432, the cross member 410 may pivot and rotate relative to the mounting member 408, such that the monitoring device 402 remains in a substantially vertical orientation (e.g., a same orientation exhibited when traversing horizontal portions of rail 434). Additionally, as the cross member 410 rotates relative to the mounting member 408, the first dampener assembly 412 and the second dampener assembly 502 may damper the relative movement between the cross member 410 and the mounting member 408, as a result movement of the monitoring device 402 relative to the cross member 410. Accordingly, the first dampener assembly 412 and the second dampener assembly 502 may reduce a severity of swinging motions that may be experienced by the monitoring device 402 when transitioning from a horizontal portion of rail 434 to an angled portion of rail 432 or vice versa.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 together, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 of the present disclosure may be advantageous over convention rail assemblies and structures for hanging monitoring devices on rails. For example, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 of the present disclosure enables a monitoring device to change elevation during operation or move from a first rail system at a first elevation (e.g., height) to a second rail system at a second, different elevation (e.g., height). As a result, a number of required monitoring devices may be reduced in comparison to conventional rail assemblies where a respective monitoring device is required for each elevation. The foregoing advantagereduces costs and improves reliability. Additionally, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 may reduce cost in installing a rail system for a given aviary. For example, a single rail system or fewer rail systems may be required for a given aviary when utilizing the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 of the present disclosure in comparison to conventional systems that require a respective rail system per elevation level in the aviary. Furthermore, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 allow for more complex aviary designs in comparison to conventional systems. For instance, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 may allow for two, three, four, five, or more different elevations levels in a single aviary while requiring only a single rail system and monitoring device to monitor the entire aviary. As a result, the rail assembly 404 and the hanger assembly 406 may provide improved solutions for retrofitting a given aviary with a rail system and monitoring device and for designing new aviaries.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a computer device 802. In some embodiments, one or more of the monitoring device 108, the client device 112, and / or the server 114 may include a computer device such as the computer device 802 of FIG. 8. The computer device 802 may include a communication interface 804, a processor 806, a memory 808, a storage device 810, an input / output device 812, and a bus 814.

[0097] In some embodiments, the processor 806 includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program. As an example, and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions, the processor 806 may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, the memory 808, or the storage device 810 and decode and execute them. In some embodiments, the processor 806 may include one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses. As an example, and not by way of limitation, the processor 806 may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation look aside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in the instruction caches may be copies of instructions in the memory 808 or the storage device 810.

[0098] The memory 808 may be coupled to the processor 806. The memory 808 may be used for storing data, metadata, and programs for execution by the processor(s). The memory 808 may include one or more of volatile and non-volatile memories, such as Random-Access Memory ("RAM"), Read-Only Memory ("ROM"), a solid state disk ("SSD"), Flash, Phase ChangeMemory ("PCM"), or other types of data storage. The memory 808 may be internal or distributed memory.

[0099] The storage device 810 may include storage for storing data or instructions. As an example, and not by way of limitation, storage device 810 can comprise a non-transitory storage medium described above. The storage device 810 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), Flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more of these. The storage device 810 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. The storage device 810 may be internal or external to the computing storage device 810. In one or more embodiments, the storage device 810 is non-volatile, solid-state memory. In other embodiments, the storage device 810 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or Flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.

[0100] The input / output device 812 may allow an operator of the monitoring system 104 to provide input to, receive output from, and otherwise transfer data to and receive data from computer device 802. The input / output device 812 may include a mouse, a keypad or a keyboard, a joystick, a touch screen, a camera, an optical scanner, network interface, modem, other known I / O devices, or a combination of such I / O interfaces. The input / output device 812 may include one or more devices for presenting output to an operator, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers. In certain embodiments, the input / output device 812 is configured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to an operator. The graphical data may be representative of one or more graphical user interfaces and / or any other graphical content as may serve a particular implementation. As is described above, the computer device 802 and the input / output device 812 may be utilized to display data (e.g., images and / or video data) regarding the monitoring system 104 and monitored elements.

[0101] The communication interface 804 can include hardware, software, or both. The communication interface 804 may provide one or more interfaces for communication (such as,for example, packet-based communication) between the computer device 802 and one or more other computing devices or networks (e.g., a server). As an example, and not by way of limitation, the communication interface 804 may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as a WI-FI.

[0102] In some embodiments, the bus 814 (e.g., a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus) may include hardware, software, or both that couples components of computer device 802 to each other and to external components.

[0103] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0104] The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings do not limit the scope of the disclosure, which is encompassed by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternate useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An aviary monitoring system, comprising: a rail assembly; and a monitoring device coupled to the rail assembly via a hanger assembly comprising: at least one wheel member comprising: a center cylindrical portion; and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion.

2. The aviary monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the hanger assembly further comprises: a mounting member connected to the monitoring device; a cross member pivotably coupled to the mounting member proximate a vertical top of the mounting member; and at least one mounting bracket attached at one end to the cross member, proximate a longitudinal end of the cross member, and at another end to the at least one wheel member.

3. The aviary monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the cross member is pivotably coupled to the mounting member at at least substantially a longitudinal center of the cross member.

4. The aviary monitoring system of claim 3, wherein in the at least one mounting bracket comprises: a first mounting bracket attached to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member; and a second mounting bracket attached to the cross member proximate a second, opposite longitudinal end of the cross member.

5. The aviary monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the at least one wheel member comprises: a first wheel member coupled to the first mounting bracket; and a second wheel member coupled to the second mounting bracket, wherein an axis of rotation of the first wheel member is parallel to an axis of rotation of the second wheel member.

6. The aviary monitoring system of claim 2 further comprising: at least one dampener assembly coupled to and between a body of the monitoring device and the cross member.

7. The aviary monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the at least one dampener assembly comprises: a first dampener assembly coupled to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member; and a second dampener assembly coupled to the cross member proximate a second longitudinal end of the cross member, opposite the first longitudinal end of the cross member.

8. The aviary monitoring system of claim 1, wherein each of the two opposing gear portions comprises a circular gear comprising a plurality of teeth extending radially outward.

9. The aviary monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the rail assembly comprises: a first rail extending in a direction oblique to a horizontal plane; and two linear gears attached to opposing lateral sides of the first rail.

10. The aviary monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the rail assembly further comprises: a second rail connected to a first longitudinal end of the first rail and extending longitudinally in a horizontal direction; and a third rail connected to a second longitudinal end of the first rail and extending longitudinally in the horizontal direction.

11. The aviary monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the rail assembly further comprises a retention rail coupled to and oriented above the first rail.

12. A method of forming an aviary monitoring system, comprising: forming a hanger assembly comprising: forming at least one wheel member comprising: a center cylindrical portion; and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion; attaching the hanger assembly to a monitoring device; and coupling the monitoring device to a rail assembly via the hanger assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the hanger assembly further comprises: pivotably coupling a cross member to a mounting member proximate a longitudinal end of the mounting member; attaching at least one mounting bracket at one end to the cross member proximate a longitudinal end of the cross member; and coupling the at least one wheel member to another end of the at least one mounting bracket.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein pivotably coupling the cross member to the mounting member comprises pivotably coupling the cross member to the mounting member at at least substantially a longitudinal center of the cross member.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein attaching at least one mounting bracket at one end to the cross member proximate a longitudinal end of the cross member comprises: attaching a first mounting bracket to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member; and attaching a second mounting bracket to the cross member proximate a second, opposite longitudinal end of the cross member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the at least one wheel member to another end of the at least one mounting bracket comprises: coupling a first wheel member to the first mounting bracket; and coupling a second wheel member to the second mounting bracket such that an axis of rotation of the first wheel member is parallel to an axis of rotation of the second wheel member.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling at least one dampener assembly to and between a body of the monitoring device and the cross member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling at least one dampener assembly to and between the body of the monitoring device and the cross member comprises: coupling a first dampener assembly to the cross member proximate a first longitudinal end of the cross member; and coupling a second dampener assembly to the cross member proximate a second longitudinal end of the cross member, opposite the first longitudinal end of the cross member.

19. The method of any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein coupling the monitoring device to the rail assembly via the hanger assembly comprises coupling the monitoring device to the rail assembly comprising: at least one rail extending in a direction oblique to a horizontal plane; and two linear gears attached to opposing lateral sides of the at least one rail.

20. A hanger assembly configured to couple a monitoring device to a rail assembly within an aviary, the hanger assembly comprising: at least one wheel member comprising: a center cylindrical portion; and two opposing gear portions extending axially and radially from opposing ends of the center cylindrical portion.

Images