Collar device

Abstract

A collar device 1 comprises: an accommodation case 10 that accommodates an electronic apparatus and is mounted on the upper part of the neck of a calf 100; a belt 20 that is connected to the accommodation case 10 and extends so as to surround the neck of the calf 100; and a weight 30 that is provided to a portion of the belt 20 at the lower part of the neck of the calf 100. The accommodation case 10 includes an accommodation part 11 that accommodates the electronic apparatus, and a base 13 that supports the accommodation part 11 and on which is formed a facing region 130 facing the neck of the animal and having an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the neck of the calf 100. The facing region 130 includes a contact surface 131 that is in contact with the neck of the animal, and a pair of belt-passage openings 132, 132 that are formed in both ends of the facing region 130 so as to have the contact surface 131 situated therebetween. The belt 20 extends between the pair of belt-passage openings 132, 132 so as to pass through a space 139 in the base 13.

Description

collar device

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a collar device.

[0002] In recent years, there have been increasing opportunities to attach small devices such as GPS receivers and activity monitors to livestock for the purposes of livestock management and research. These devices are usually attached to livestock via a collar or other belt, but some devices, such as GPS receivers and devices with solar panels, are ideally worn directly above the neck of the livestock (the individual wearing the device) so that the livestock's own body does not get in the way for satellite reception, communication, and sunlight reception (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

[0003] Special Publication No. 2023-523129 Publication No. 10-160821

[0004] When wearing a small device directly above the neck, a certain amount of weight is usually placed under the neck, but the belt can shift due to the wearer's movement or contact with some other installed object, causing the small device to shift from directly above the neck. While a heavier weight stabilizes the small device above the neck, this can be a heavy burden for small livestock, for example. Thus, there has been a demand for a small device (collar device) that can prevent displacement while reducing the burden on the livestock (the wearer).

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and relates to a collar device that can prevent displacement while reducing the burden on the wearer.

[0006] [1] A collar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage case that stores electronic devices and is worn on the upper part of an animal's neck, a belt that is connected to the storage case and extends so as to encircle the animal's neck, and a weight attached to the belt at the lower part of the animal's neck, wherein the storage case has a storage section that stores the electronic devices and a base that supports the storage section and has an opposing area that faces the animal's neck and is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the animal's neck, and the opposing area includes a contact surface that comes into contact with the animal's neck and a pair of belt loop openings formed at both ends of the opposing area so as to sandwich the contact surface, and the belt extends so as to pass through the space within the base between the pair of belt loop openings.

[0007] In a collar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a storage case for storing an electronic device is attached to the upper part of an animal's neck, and a weight is attached to the lower part of a belt connected to the storage case and encircling the animal's neck. This configuration allows the electronic device to be positioned above the animal's neck, i.e., in a location where it can function properly. However, even with a weighted configuration, the belt may slip due to the animal's movement or contact with some other installed object, causing the storage case to slip from directly above the neck. While a heavier weight stabilizes the storage case above the neck, it can be a significant burden for small animals, for example. Thus, there has been a need for a collar device that can prevent slippage while reducing the burden on the animal. In this regard, in a collar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the storage case base facing the animal's neck is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the animal's neck, and a pair of belt loop openings are formed on either side of the contact surface of the facing area that contacts the animal's neck. The belt extends through the space within the base so as to be suspended between the pair of belt loop openings. With this configuration, the belt faces and contacts the animal's neck in the portion of the opposing area corresponding to the belt loop opening. This configuration, in which the belt contacts the upper part of the animal's neck at both ends of the storage case, provides greater friction and a better fit than a configuration in which only the storage case contacts the upper part of the neck, thereby preventing the belt (i.e., the storage case) from slipping. This configuration prevents the storage case from slipping without increasing the burden on the animal (such as by adding a weight) (which would cause discomfort or pain to the animal's neck). As described above, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a collar device that can prevent slippage while reducing the burden on the wearer.

[0008] [2] In the collar device described in [1] above, the belt is positioned so that it is sandwiched between the edge portions of a pair of belt loop openings formed at both ends of the opposing region and the animal's neck. With this configuration, when the belt is positioned around the top of the animal's neck, for example, it is sandwiched between the edge portions and the animal's neck skin, effectively preventing the belt from slipping due to friction between the edge portions, the belt, and the animal's neck skin. Furthermore, if the entire collar (storage case, belt, and weight) becomes misaligned for some reason, the belt opens to both sides, increasing friction between the belt and the edge portions, making the storage case less likely to slip. This allows the storage case, belt, and weight to remain integrated without changing their relative positions. As a result, the action of the weight and the arc-shaped storage case allow the storage case to return to its original position (above the neck). This configuration allows even a small and lightweight storage case to be properly secured around the animal's neck. One possible method for preventing the storage case from slipping around the animal's neck is to secure the storage case with screws, for example. However, with this method, if a position adjustment is required later, tools or the like must be used, which is time-consuming. In this regard, with the configuration of the present invention, the position can be easily adjusted by slightly lifting the storage case. In other words, when adjusting the position to accommodate differences in the growth of animals or individual differences in neck thickness, the position can be easily adjusted on site without using tools.

[0009] [3] In the collar device described in [1] or [2] above, the area of ​​the pair of belt looping openings in the opposing region may be greater than one-third of the area of ​​the contact surface. This configuration ensures that the belt has a sufficient area that contacts the upper part of the neck at the portion corresponding to the belt looping openings, and the frictional force can appropriately prevent the storage case from slipping.

[0010] [4] In the collar device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, the facing area may be formed in an arc shape with a central angle of 130° to 157°. This configuration allows the storage case to be worn properly (fitted) around the neck of an animal such as a calf.

[0011] [5] In the collar device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, the electronic device may be an activity meter, an acceleration sensor, a GPS receiver, a beacon, or a measuring device with a solar panel. Such a configuration allows for appropriate animal management.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a collar device that can prevent displacement while reducing the burden on the wearer.

[0013] It is a figure explaining the state in which the collar device of this embodiment is worn. It is a front view of the storage case included in the collar device. It is a perspective view of the storage case. It is a perspective view of the storage case. It is a cross-sectional view of the storage case.

[0014] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the state in which a collar device 1 according to this embodiment is worn. The collar device 1 is a device that is worn around the neck of an animal for the purpose of animal management or research. The animal may be, for example, a livestock animal such as a cow, horse, goat, or sheep. The animal may also be an animal other than a livestock animal (for example, a dog or cat). In this embodiment, the animal is described as a livestock calf 100 as an example, but is not limited to this. The calf 100 refers to, for example, a cow that is within two months of birth and weighs approximately 41.5 to 97.5 kg.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the collar device 1 includes a storage case 10, a belt 20, and a weight 30. The storage case 10 stores electronic devices and is attached to the upper part of the neck of the calf 100. The electronic devices referred to here include various devices used for managing and researching the calf 100, such as activity monitors, acceleration sensors, GPS receivers, beacons, and measuring devices with solar panels. These electronic devices require satellite reception, communication, and solar light reception. Therefore, it is preferable to place the electronic devices above the neck of the calf 100 so that they do not interfere with the calf's body. Therefore, the storage case 10 for storing the electronic devices is attached to the upper part of the calf's neck. The storage case 10 may be made of a material such as ABS resin or PETG resin.

[0017] The belt 20 is connected to the storage case 10 and extends around the neck of the calf 100. The belt 20 may be made of a material such as nylon or synthetic leather. The weight 30 is attached to the belt 20 below the neck of the calf 100. That is, the weight 30 is connected to the belt that encircles the neck of the calf 100 at a position opposite the position where the storage case 10 is connected. By providing the weight 30 in this position, it is possible to easily position the storage case 10 on the opposite side above the neck of the calf 100. The weight of the weight 30 may be, for example, approximately 0.1 to 0.4 kg. By minimizing the weight of the weight 30 in this way, the collar device 1 becomes small and lightweight, and when attached to a small livestock, it does not interfere with the small livestock's activities such as resting and eating. However, the weight of the weight 30 is made heavier than the combined weight of the storage case 10 and the electronic devices stored in the storage case 10.

[0018] The storage case 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a front view of the storage case 10 included in the collar device 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the storage case 10. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the storage case 10. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the storage case 10.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the storage case 10 has a storage section 11, a lid section 12, and a base 13.

[0020] The storage section 11 has a storage space for storing electronic devices. The storage section 11 is supported by a base 13 and is positioned above the base 13 when the device is attached to the calf 100. The storage space of the storage section 11 is large enough to accommodate electronic devices such as an activity monitor, an acceleration sensor, a GPS receiver, a beacon, or a measuring device with a solar panel. The storage section 11 has, for example, a substantially box-shaped first section 111, a substantially box-shaped second section 112, and a connecting section 113 connecting the first section 111 and the second section 112. In the width direction of the calf 100 when the device is attached, the first section 111 is shorter than the second section 112. In the front-to-rear direction of the calf 100 when the device is attached, the first section 111 is longer than the second section 112. The first section 111 has an opening on the side opposite to the side connected to the connecting section 113. The opening is a portion for inserting the electronic device into the storage space. The opening is covered with a lid 12. The lid 12 functions as a lid for the opening of the first portion 111. Note that the shape of the storage section 11 is merely an example, and is not limited to the above-described shape and dimensions.

[0021] The base 13 supports the storage section 11 and has a facing region 130 facing the upper part of the neck of the calf 100, which is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the neck of the calf 100. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the facing region 130 includes a contact surface 131 that contacts the neck of the calf 100 and a pair of belt looping openings 132, 132 formed at both ends of the facing region 130 (both ends in the width direction of the calf 100) so as to sandwich the contact surface 131. That is, in the arc-shaped facing region 130, the contact surface 131 is provided in a central portion in the width direction of the calf 100, and a pair of belt looping openings 132, 132 are formed at both ends in the width direction so as to sandwich the contact surface 131. The facing region 130 may be formed in an arc shape with a central angle of 130° to 157° (e.g., 130°) and a radius of 29 mm to 37 mm (e.g., 29 mm). Here, 130° is a central angle assuming, for example, a calf, and 157° is a central angle assuming an adult cow.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5 , the pair of belt looping openings 132 communicate with each other via a space 139 within the base 13. The belt 20 extends between the pair of belt looping openings 132 so as to pass through the space 139 within the base 13. With this configuration, the belt 20 faces the neck of the calf 100 and comes into contact with the neck in the portions of the facing region 130 that correspond to the pair of belt looping openings 132. That is, in the facing region 130 that faces the upper part of the neck of the calf 100, the contact surface 131 comes into contact with the upper part of the neck of the calf 100 in the central portion, and the belt 20 in the portions that correspond to the belt looping openings 132 come into contact with the upper part of the neck of the calf 100 at both ends. Note that, considering the materials of the contact surface 131 (storage case 10) and the belt 20, the frictional force of the belt 20 is greater than the frictional force of the contact surface 131. Such a belt 20 comes into contact with the upper part of the neck of the calf 100 at both ends of the facing region 130, thereby effectively preventing the storage case 10 from shifting out of position.

[0023] The belt 20 is positioned so as to be sandwiched between edge portions 135 (see FIG. 4 ) of a pair of belt loop openings 132, 132 formed at both ends of the facing region 130 and the skin of the neck of the calf 100. With this configuration, for example, when the belt 20 is positioned above the neck of the calf 100, the belt 20 is sandwiched between the edge portions 135 and the skin of the neck of the calf 100, and the friction between the edge portions 135, the belt 20, and the skin of the neck of the calf 100 effectively prevents the belt 20 from shifting position. Furthermore, if the position of the entire collar (storage case 10, belt 20, weight 30) shifts for some reason, the belt 20 opens to both sides, increasing the friction between the belt 20 and the edge portions 135 and making the storage case 10 less likely to slip, and allowing the storage case 10, belt 20, and weight 30 to be integrated without changing their relative positions. As a result, the action of the weight 30 and the arc-shaped shape of the storage case 10 allow the storage case 10 to return to its original position (above the neck). With this configuration, even a small and lightweight storage case 10 can be properly secured to the neck of the calf 100. One possible method for preventing the storage case from slipping off the neck of the calf 100 is to secure the storage case with screws, for example. However, this method requires the use of tools or other time-consuming procedures when a position adjustment is required later. In this regard, the configuration of this embodiment allows for easy position adjustment by slightly lifting the storage case 10. In other words, when adjusting the position to accommodate the growth of the calf 100 or individual differences in neck thickness, the position adjustment can be easily performed on-site without using tools.

[0024] In the facing region 130, the total area of ​​the pair of belt loop openings 132 may be greater than one-third, for example, one-half, of the area of ​​the contact surface 131. The areas of the pair of belt loop openings 132 may each be approximately 440 to 480 mm2. The area of ​​the contact surface 131 may be approximately 913 to 1000 mm2.

[0025] Next, the effects of the collar device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example.

[0026] A first comparative example is a GPS collar for adult cattle weighing approximately 500-700 kg. In this configuration, the battery is placed under the neck as a weight, and the GPS receiver is secured to a belt with a plastic cable tie and placed on the cattle's neck. Each GPS collar, including the battery and other contents, weighs approximately 1,695 g, making it unsuitable for use with small animals such as calves, goats, and sheep.

[0027] A second comparative example is an attachment for an animal collar, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. The attachment body is detachable from the animal's collar, and has a cavity for storing electronic devices and an opening to the cavity, allowing multiple sensor devices to be stored within. However, the shape of this configuration makes it difficult to maintain the storage compartment in a position above the animal's neck due to the weight of the storage compartment.

[0028] A third comparative example is a collar device for large animals, as described in Patent Document 2. To stabilize the upper neck area as a flat portion, the device is designed with storage compartments (first storage compartment, second storage compartment) on the upper and side portions as supports. This means that the entire neck area of ​​the animal is covered with the storage compartments, which may interfere with the animal's activities such as resting and eating.

[0029] In contrast, the collar device 1 of this embodiment comprises a storage case 10 that stores electronic devices and is worn on the upper part of the neck of the calf 100, a belt 20 that is connected to the storage case 10 and extends so as to go around the neck of the calf 100, and a weight 30 that is attached to the belt 20 below the neck of the calf 100. The storage case 10 has a storage section 11 that stores the electronic devices, and a base 13 that supports the storage section 11 and has a facing area 130 that faces the animal's neck and is formed in an arc shape that corresponds to the shape of the calf's 100's neck. The facing area 130 is configured to include a contact surface 131 that comes into contact with the animal's neck, and a pair of belt looping openings 132, 132 formed at both ends of the facing area 130 so as to sandwich the contact surface 131. The belt 20 extends so as to pass through a space 139 in the base 13 between the pair of belt looping openings 132, 132.

[0030] In the collar device 1 according to this embodiment, a storage case 10 for storing electronic devices is attached to the upper part of the neck of the calf 100, and a weight 30 is attached to the lower part of a belt 20 connected to the storage case 10 and wrapped around the neck of the calf 100. This configuration allows the electronic devices to be positioned above the neck of the calf 100, i.e., in a location where they can function properly. However, even with the configuration including the weight 30, the belt 20 may shift due to the calf's movement or motion or contact with some other installed object, causing the storage case 10 to shift from directly above the neck. While increasing the weight 30 would stabilize the storage case 10 above the neck, this would place a greater burden on, for example, smaller animals. Thus, there has been a need for a collar device that can prevent shifting while reducing the burden on the animal. In this regard, in the collar device 1 according to the present embodiment, a facing region 130 of the base 13 of the storage case 10 that faces the neck of the calf 100 is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the neck of the calf 100, and a pair of belt looping openings 132, 132 are formed on either side of a contact surface 131 in the facing region 130 that contacts the neck of the calf 100. The belt 20 extends through a space 139 within the base 13 so as to be suspended between the pair of belt looping openings 132, 132. With this configuration, the belt 20 faces and contacts the neck of the calf 100 in the portions of the facing region 130 that correspond to the belt looping openings 132, 132. In this manner, a configuration in which the belt 20 contacts the upper part of the neck of the calf 100 at both ends of the storage case 10 provides greater friction and can suppress slippage of the belt 20 (i.e., slippage of the storage case 10) compared to a configuration in which only the storage case 10 contacts the upper part of the neck. This configuration prevents the storage case 10 from shifting without increasing the burden on the calf 100, such as by increasing the weight 30. As described above, the configuration according to this embodiment provides a collar device 1 that can prevent shifting while reducing the burden on the wearing individual.

[0031] In the above-described collar device 1, the area of ​​the pair of belt looping openings 132, 132 in the facing region 130 may be larger than one-third the area of ​​the contact surface 131. With this configuration, a sufficient area of ​​the belt 20 that contacts the upper part of the neck at the portion corresponding to the belt looping openings 132, 132 can be secured, and the frictional force can appropriately prevent the storage case 10 from slipping.

[0032] In the above-described collar device 1, the facing region 130 may be formed in an arc shape with a central angle of 130° to 157°. With this configuration, the storage case 10 can be properly (fittingly) attached to the neck of an animal such as the calf 100.

[0033] In the collar device 1, the electronic device may be an activity meter, an acceleration sensor, a GPS receiver, a beacon, or a measuring device with a solar panel. With such a configuration, the calf 100 can be appropriately managed.

[0034] 1...collar device, 10...storage case, 11...storage section, 13...base, 20...belt, 30...weight, 100...calf, 130...facing area, 131...contact surface, 132, 132...belt loop opening, 139...space

Claims

1. A collar device comprising: a storage case for storing electronic devices and worn on the upper part of an animal's neck; a belt connected to the storage case and extending so as to go around the animal's neck; and a weight attached to the belt at the lower part of the animal's neck, wherein the storage case has: a storage section for storing the electronic devices; and a base that supports the storage section and has an opposing area facing the animal's neck formed in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the animal's neck, the opposing area including a contact surface that comes into contact with the animal's neck and a pair of belt loop openings formed at both ends of the opposing area so as to sandwich the contact surface, and the belt extends so as to pass through the space within the base between the pair of belt loop openings.

2. A collar device according to claim 1, wherein the belt is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the edge portions of the pair of belt loop openings formed at both ends of the opposing region and the animal's neck.

3. The collar device according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the pair of belt loop openings in the opposing region is greater than one-third of the area of ​​the contact surface.

4. A collar device as described in claim 1, wherein the facing area is formed in an arc shape with a central angle of 130° to 157°.

5. A collar device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic device is an activity meter, an acceleration sensor, a GPS receiver, a beacon, or a measuring device with a solar panel.

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