Wisconsin Patent of the Month – July 2025
Appleton Steel has secured U.S. Patent No. 12369562 for a new animal lifting device. This invention enhances safety for both animals and workers. The system uses a belly band to lift large animals inside a chute. This innovative design addresses common safety issues in livestock handling.
Innovative Pulling Mechanism Improves Safety
The patent, titled ‘Device for lifting an animal in a chute,’ details a unique lifting method. Instead of a traditional push from below, the new system pulls the belly band upwards. Hydraulic pistons or electric actuators mounted above the animal retract to lift the band. This removes dangerous pinch points and open spaces at the bottom of the chute. The sides of the chute can now have solid shielding. This protects the animal’s legs from injury during treatment.
Enhanced Animal and Worker Well-being
The device offers other key benefits. As the belly band begins to rise, it moves slightly backward. This motion helps prevent the animal’s legs from getting caught. It makes it easier for an animal to move its legs away from the band. This reduces animal anxiety and the need for an operator to manually reposition the animal. The design creates a safer, more efficient environment for tasks like hoof trimming. It represents a significant advancement in animal restraint technology.
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The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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