Dog lifting device

Abstract

This invention discloses a dog lifting device (10) for animals particularly for big breed canine or dogs as a support during medical or surgical procedures but more particularly to a dog lifting device (10) which permits large and heavy dogs to be lifted with relative ease during periods of medical and surgical procedures, temporary or permanent paralysis. The dog lifting device (10) comprises a frame (12), a motored hoist (22) secured to the frame (12), an actuator (24) connected to the motored hoist (22) and a lifting rope (26) operably connected to the actuator (24) with a pulley (26) that translates the horizontal force from the motored hoist (22) to the lifting rope (26) which makes the dog lifting device (10) efficient, safe and easy to use with due regard to animal welfare.

Description

[0001] DOG LIFTING DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to big breed canine or dog lifters as a support during medical or surgical procedures but more particularly to a dog lifting device which permits household dogs to be lifted with relative ease during periods of medical and surgical procedures, temporary or permanent paralysis.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Lifting and transporting an immobile, injured or sick large canine or dog without causing the animal discomfort or aggravating an injury is difficult. So, an apparatus for lifting and transporting large animals such as dogs with ease and comfort is needed. As referred in the disclosure herein, the word "large" includes dogs or other applicable animals of about twenty to thirty-five pounds or more but refers in general to animals which, if sick or injured or disabled due to age, surgery, medical procedure or some other reason, are large enough to present lifting and transportation difficulties to a handler. Particularly for veterinarians, animal clinics, animal hospitals, humane societies, canine units and zoos, there is an urgent need for such an apparatus.

[0006] With this invention, large immobile dogs can be lifted and transported with relative ease and without causing further injury or unnecessary discomfort to the animal. It provides a way for a single person of ordinary strength to lift a very large, prone animal such as but not limited to a dog from the ground or floor and transport it or do the necessary medical procedure or surgical activities.

[0007] EP0074383 Bl patented to Weelink Johannes discloses a device for accommodating an animal to be tended, but made particularly for a cow, comprising a frame formed by relatively spaced lateral frame parts and a frame part interconnecting the former, the lateral frame parts bounding an accommodation space open at least to the front and the underside for receiving the animal and furthermore comprising supporting members connected with the frame for supporting the animal with respect to the frame, the supporting members comprising a belly-strap and back supporting elements coming into contact with the animal's back. This invention however, though employs the use of a belly-strap, does not specifically intended for large dogs with ease of lifting the dog ergonomically using a dog strap or harness and failed to employ the most important component in lifting which is a mechanical hoist that is powered by a motor, referred herein as a motored hoist, and a power source such as but not limited to a battery.

[0008] US Patent 6820572B1 discloses a mobile prosthetic apparatus for disabled fourlegged animals comprises a cart having a chassis. The chassis includes a front subassembly detachably mounted to a rearward subassembly. However, this cart-like apparatus is not mainly intended for lifting large dogs with different elements and mechanisms that are not advantageous in lifting large and heavy dogs.

[0009] Other advantages and attributes of this invention will be readily discernable upon a reading of the text hereinafter.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dog lifting device that can lift large and heavy dogs of more than twenty pounds during medical, therapy or surgical procedures.

[0012] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dog lifting device that can lift the large dog from the ground towards a veterinary table.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dog lifting device sufficient to allow treatment to be conducted on a large dog while it remains on the lift.

[0014] Still, an object of the present invention is to provide a dog lifting device with a harness or strap that is ergonomic such that the dog lifting is done with ease and comfort to the dog.

[0015] Further object of the present invention is to provide a dog lifting device with a hoist mechanism which makes the lifting done with ease to the veterinarian or anyone who wishes to do the lifting.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be clarified upon presentation of the following detailed descriptions taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

[0017] Fig. 1 is the perspective view of the invention viewed below thereto to show the lower parts.

[0018] Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the invention in bird’s eye view.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring now to the figure in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 in an exemplary embodiment a device 10 for lifting an animal to be tended, particularly a dog, canine or any other applicable animals to be lifted from the ground to a certain height of up to at least one to two meters.

[0021] The device 10 comprises a frame 12 being defined by at least four elongated spaced-apart vertical legs 14 being provided each with a caster wheel 16. In a preferred embodiment, the number of wheels 16 correspond to the number of legs 14. There are four legs 14, hence, four caster wheels 16 is shown in the exemplary embodiment as shown in Fig. 1. A caster wheel or sometimes called castor is a relatively small undriven wheel, meaning that it is free-rolling as opposed to powered which are designed to be attached to the bottom of a larger object, in this case attached to vertical legs 14 to enable easy movement across a ground or floor.

[0022] Still, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown in Fig. 1 a rectangular framing member 18 disposed on top of the vertical legs 14 thereby connecting the vertical legs 14 and move in unison thereof when push or pull. This interconnection to form the frame 12 enables the device 10 to be pushed or pull through the vertical legs 14 in order to move from one location to another.

[0023] An essential component of the subject invention is shown in an exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1 vis-a-vis Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 wherein a pair of spaced apart roller racks 20 are shown wherein each roller rack 20 is secured to the longitudinal part of the rectangular framing member 18. A motored hoist 22 is secured at the rear portion of the rectangular framing member 18.

[0024] Another essential element of the present invention that cannot be ascertained in the prior art and makes this invention novel and inventive is shown in a preferred embodiment in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 wherein an actuator 24 is operably connected to the motored hoist 22 whereby the actuator 24 is provided with a plurality of rollers 23 at opposing sides thereof configured to move frontward and rearward through the spaced apart roller racks 20. The roller racks 20 is provided each with a longitudinal side rail 34 to control the sideways movement of the actuator 24 and rollers 23. A pulley 25 is fixedly secured at the front end of the rectangular framing member 18 and is supported by shaft 27.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of this invention depicted in Fig. 1, a lifting rope 26 extends downwardly from the pulley 25 moving horizontally from the motored hoist 22 and being operably connected to the actuator 24 whereby the pulley 25 translates the horizontal force to a vertical force being applied by the motored hoist 22 to the lifting rope 26. In an exemplary embodiment, a hanging lever 28 is removably secured to the end of the lifting rope 26. The hanging lever 28 appears to be triangular when viewed at the front view which can easily be modified by any skilled person.

[0026] Referring still in Fig. 1, there is shown at least a set of harness 30 secured to the hanging lever 28 wherein the set of harness 30 configured to ergonomically hold the animal to be lifted from and back to the ground. It is understood by a person skilled in the art that the harness 30 can be referred in other patent document as sling and body belt and may appear as different in appearance compared to what is shown in the present invention. The set of harness 30 may also be one-piece or may appear as two-pieces which holds the animal or dog with relative ease during periods of medical and surgical procedures, temporary or permanent paralysis.

[0027] The combination of elements and its structural cooperative relationship makes a novel and inventive animal lifter whereby the combination of the frame 12, roller racks 20, motored hoist 22, actuator 24, pulley 25, lifting rope 26, hanging lever 28 and a set of harness 30 cannot be ascertained in any of the prior art and whereby the device 10 makes lifting of heavy or large dogs efficient, safe and easy and with due consideration of the animal welfare. Such combination of mechanism is far efficient than any of the prior art particularly with the closest prior art EP0074383 Bl which is intentionally made for a cow and utilizes a type of sling that causes stress to the cow in mechanically lifting the cow through manual application of force in the lever whereby such manual application of force makes it burdensome to the users and veterinarians.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 1 is a power source 32 in a form of a battery which is electrically connected to the hoist 22 and provides power thereto. The battery is secured to the frame 12 which can be in one of the vertical legs 14 as depicted in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The frame 12, actuator 24, and hanging lever 28 are substantially made of metallic material, preferably made of steel which is sturdy and durable.

[0029] The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration such as shape, dimension, measurement, contour and configuration, material and quantities of the elements of the dog lifting device 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 09 November 2025 (09.11.2025)

1. A device (10) for lifting an animal to be tended, particularly a dog, comprising a frame (12) having at least four elongated spaced-apart vertical legs (14), each provided with a caster wheel (16); a rectangular framing member (18) disposed on top of said vertical legs (14) and connecting said vertical legs (14) together; a pulley (25) fixed at a front end of the rectangular framing member (18); a lifting rope (26) extending downwardly from said pulley (25) and connected to a hanging lever (28) with at least one set of harness (30) configured to hold the animal; and a motored hoist (22) mounted at a rear portion of said rectangular framing member (18); characterized in that: said motored hoist (22) drives an actuator (24) provided with a plurality of rollers (23) at opposing sides thereof, the actuator (24) being configured to move frontward and rearward through a pair of spaced-apart roller racks (20) secured to the longitudinal parts of the rectangular framing member (18); whereby said pulley (25) translates a horizontal drive force from the actuator (24) into a vertical lifting force applied to the lifting rope (26), thereby distributing tension dynamically through the rope system and reducing shock load during lifting; and wherein a power source (32), preferably a battery secured to one of said vertical legs (14), supplies electrical power to the motored hoist (22).

2. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said power source (32) is a battery.

3. The device (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said battery being secured to one of the vertical legs (14).

4. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said roller racks (20) being provided each with a longitudinal side rail (34).

5. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said frame (12), actuator (24), and hanging lever (28) are substantially made of metallic material.

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