Patent attributes
An improved bedding for livestock of this invention provides a bed strip for livestock having at least two elastomeric belts bonded together, one on top of the other, to form at least one bed with at least two chambers, front and rear, expandable under fluid pressure, that, once properly filled with a working volume of fluid, will each attain a convex pillow-like shape. The fluid volume in the chambers is such that when an animal steps on the rear chamber of the bed the top belt makes contact with the bottom belt to provide a stable base for the animal's foot, yet, when the animal drops to its knees on the front chamber of the bed, during the process of lying down or rising to standing, the knees are supported by a fluid cushion between the top and bottom belts. Further, the fluid volume and the modulus of elasticity of the top belt are such that when the animal is lying down, substantial portions of its body trunk will depress portions of the top belt into contact with the bottom belt to thereby displace enough fluid against other portions of the elastomeric top belt to support the more sensitive body parts, principally the knees and hocks, on a cushion of fluid extending beneath the other portions of the top belt.
