Animal feeder with insertable feed restrictor

[0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of animal feeders.

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2008-2009 Walter Tharp, All Rights Reserved.

[0003] Grazing in a field is a natural method for feeding domestic animals, such as livestock, farm animals, and domestic pets. Throughout history, when grazing in a field was not easily available, animals have been fed in stalls or corrals with hay or other feed placed in a feed box and the animal is allowed to feed at its leisure. Such hay boxes are nothing more than a containment box with an open top, the opening allowing the animal to reach into the box from the top to get at the feed.

[0004] Several problems exist with this type of a hay box. First, a significant amount of hay inevitably spills onto the floor of the stall or ground. This loose hay results in a wasting of the hay as feed material, often results in the ingestion of contaminates by the animal as it eats hay from the floor of the stall, and creates additional work in cleaning the stall. An additional problem with prior hay boxes is that prior hay boxes also do not efficiently restrict the rate at which the animal can consume the feed. If feed is not continuously provided, the animal will often eat at an excessive rate when the feed is initially provided, resulting in potential digestion problems.

[0005] Improved devices for feeding animals include various forms of moving elements as described in some of the U.S. patents listed below. However, these conventional feeder designs do not efficiently restrict the rate at which the animal can consume the feed.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,544 describes a feed saving insert that is positionable on the surface of feed within a feed bucket. The insert includes a sheet formed into a disk that is sized to be loosely received through the bucket top opening and to rest against feed within the bucket. Access apertures are formed through the disk and are uniformly spaced about the disk to permit limited access to feed under the disk. The disk and access apertures are sized such that access to the feed within the bucket is limited and so the disk will float on the feed within the bucket and will change in elevation within the bucket in response to removal of feed during feeding. A guide shaft is provided, projecting downwardly from the disk and through an opening in the bucket bottom to hold the disk substantially parallel to the bucket bottom and guide the disk in its downward movement responsive to removal of feed from the bucket.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,117 describes an animal feeder providing feed to animals and includes a plurality of side and end walls defining an interior chamber. A perforated plate defines a bottom wall of the chamber and is moveable therein. A grate defines a top wall of the chamber and allows access to feed material contained in the chamber. A spring mechanism biases the plate toward the grate such that feed material located within the chamber is continuously provided to an animal feeding at the level of the grate.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,794 describes an animal feeding station which provides livestock, at virtually any desired location, waste-free access to fibrous feed material in quantities heretofore unobtainable with a portable unit. Compacted fibrous feed is charged into a rectangular-shaped, variable volume hopper formed by a pair of upstanding stationary, spaced-apart, opposing end walls and a pair of movably suspended mesh-covered side panels. The side panels are movably suspended on sloping tracks mounted interior the end walls such that the panels are positioned by gravity against the confined feed mass. Feeding livestock are able to grasp the fibrous feed through the mesh according to their need, and in doing so forcibly urge the panel, along the sloping tracks, against the remaining feed mass. Thus, the livestock have continuous limited access to the outer wall of the feed mass, until the mass is depleted; but are unable to obtain unrestricted access to the feed.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,189 describes a hay saver insert adapted to be removably positioned on and within a conventional cylindrical hay feeder. The insert includes an upper end portion which rests upon the upper end of the conventional feeder and a conical-shaped portion which extends downwardly into the interior of the feeder. Hay is placed within the insert and the animals have access thereto. Hay being pulled from the insert by the animals may fall into the area between the conical-shaped portion of the insert and the interior of the feeder which prevents the hay from being trampled.

[0010] Thus, an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor is needed.

[0026] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[0027] According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matter as described herein, there is described an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor. A particular example embodiment includes a cylindrical barrel (or other form of feed container means) into which feed of various types can be deposited. An insertable feed restrictor (or other form of feed restricting means) is then inserted into the barrel on top of the feed deposited therein. The feed restrictor includes feed access holes, which allow an animal to get access to the feed in a restricted manner. The feed restrictor floats down into the barrel and can spin laterally as the feed is consumed.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder. As shown, the example embodiment includes a barrel 100 and an insertable feed restrictor 200. In the particular embodiment shown, the barrel 100 is a cylindrical shape with an open upper end to receive feed and the insertable feed restrictor 200. The lower end of barrel 100 is closed or capped. In the particular embodiment, the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can be fabricated from polyethylene or a similar plastic blend material. Alternatively, another type of plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material can be used; however, PVC can become brittle at low temperatures and thus unsuitable in some environments. Alternative embodiments can be fabricated from other rigid materials, such as stainless steel, fiberglass, ceramic, concrete, stone, or wood. Alternative embodiments of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can also be fabricated in different shapes, such as oval, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal. However, the preferred shape is cylindrical/circular. In the particular embodiment, the barrel 100 is approximately 24 inches tall and 20.5 inches in diameter. The diameter of the feed restrictor 200 is slightly less than the diameter of the barrel 100, so the feed restrictor 200 can be inserted into the open end of barrel 100 as shown in FIG. 1. In the particular embodiment, the feed restrictor 200 is approximately 9 inches tall and 18.5 inches in diameter. The wall thickness of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 in a particular embodiment is 0.25 inches. The dimensions of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 for particular embodiments can vary according to the animal size, the type of feed being used, and/or the volume of feed being used. The height and width of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can change in proportion to each other so the difference in diameter or width dimension between the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 provides a loose enough slip fit for the feed restrictor 200 to be inserted into, freely travel up and down, and spin freely within the interior of barrel 100. The dimensions of the feed restrictor 200 relative to the dimensions of the barrel 100 can be configured to prevent the feed restrictor 200 from being turned over (inverted) while positioned within the interior of barrel 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel 100 also includes handles 120 to assist a user in moving the animal feeder.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective top view of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 and the insertable feed restrictor 200 partially inserted into the top of the barrel 100.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view inside of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel 100 and the insertable feed restrictor 200 fully inserted into the barrel 100. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that prior to inserting the feed restrictor 200 into the barrel 100, animal feed of various types can be deposited into the open top of barrel 100. Then, the feed restrictor 200 can be inserted into the open top of barrel 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, and allowed to rest on top of the animal feed deposited in barrel 100.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view inside of another example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel 100 with another type of feed restrictor 200 fully inserted into the barrel. As described in more detail below, the feed restrictor 200 includes feed access holes 210 that allow an animal to access the animal feed deposited in barrel 100 in a restricted manner. The arrangement of feed access holes 210 in feed restrictor 200 is specific to the type of animal being fed and specific to the type of animal feed being consumed. FIG. 3 shows a feed restrictor 200 with a first arrangement of feed access holes 210 generally useful for feeding hay to cattle in a restricted manner. FIG. 4 shows a feed restrictor 200 with a second arrangement of feed access holes 210 generally useful for feeding food pellets to cattle in a restricted manner. The various embodiments of the feed restrictor 200 are described in more detail below.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a view inside of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel 100 without the feed restrictor 200. In a particular embodiment, the barrel 100 is closed or capped at the lower end. In an alternative embodiment, the barrel 100 can be molded as a single unit, which is closed at one end. Except for the open top, the barrel 100 provides a water-tight enclosure for the animal feed deposited therein. Near the lower end of barrel 100, a pluggable drain hole 130 is provided in the side wall of the barrel 100 to enable removal of any accumulated liquid at the bottom of barrel 100.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 without the feed restrictor 200. In the particular embodiment, the barrel 100 is shown to include a ridge or stop 140 on the inside of the barrel 100 at the edge of the upper open end of barrel 100. The stop 140 can be held in place with a plurality of fasteners 110, such as screws, bolts, or rivets. The stop 140 serves to prevent the feed restrictor 200 from being removed from the interior of barrel 100, unless the feed restrictor 200 is removed in a level and centered configuration. The stop 140 prevents the feed restrictor 200 from being undesirably removed from the interior of barrel 100 by animals feeding in the animal feeder. FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of an example embodiment of the upper edge of the opening of the barrel 100 showing the ridge or stop 140 attached to the interior upper edge of the barrel 100. In an alternative embodiment, all the attached features of barrel 100, such as handles 120 and stop 140, can be incorporated into a one piece molded plastic unit representing the barrel 100 as described herein.

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom and side of a barrel 100 of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 with a handle 120 and drain hole 130. FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 with the handle 120 and the drain hole 130 plugged with a stopper. In a particular embodiment, the barrel 100 can also be provided with rings or hooks that can be used to strap the barrel 100 in an upright position.

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment showing the feed restrictor 200. As described above, various alternative embodiments of the feed restrictor 200 can be fabricated from various materials in various different shapes and dimensions. In a particular embodiment, the lower end or bottom of feed restrictor 200 can be closed or capped with cap 220. In an alternative embodiment, the feed restrictor 200 can be molded as a single unit, which is closed at one end. The cap 220 at the lower end or bottom of feed restrictor 200 can be configured with an arrangement of feed access holes 210, as shown in FIGS. 11-14.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective bottom view of an example embodiment showing the feed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feed access holes 210 that allow an animal to access the animal feed deposited in barrel 100 in a restricted manner. The arrangement of feed access holes 210 in feed restrictor 200 is specific to the type of animal being fed and specific to the type of animal feed being consumed.

[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective interior view of an example embodiment showing the feed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feed access holes 210. When the feed restrictor 200 is inserted into the barrel 100 bottom side down and on top of the animal feed deposited into the barrel 100, the feeding animals will have access to the interior of feed restrictor 200. Feeding animals will also have access to the animal feed in barrel 100 through the feed access holes 210. The feed access holes 210 serve to restrict the amount of feed the animals can consume in a given period of time. If the cap 220 is configured with a greater number of feed access holes 210, the animals will be able to consume a greater quantity of feed in a lesser quantity of time. Similarly, if the cap 220 is configured with feed access holes 210 each having a larger size, the animals will be able to consume a greater quantity of feed in a lesser quantity of time. Conversely, if the cap 220 is configured with a lesser number of feed access holes 210 and/or each feed access hole 210 having a smaller size, the animals will be able to consume a lesser quantity of feed in a greater quantity of time. Additionally, the number and size of feed access holes 210 can be configured for the specific type of animal being fed and the specific type of animal feed being consumed. For example, larger animals, such as cattle or horses, feeding on hay, alfalfa, or long stem grasses may need an arrangement of feed access holes 210 that are greater in number and larger in size. Conversely, smaller animals, such as goats, sheep, or dogs, feeding on food pellets or granular feed mixes may need an arrangement of feed access holes 210 that are lesser in number and smaller in size. In a particular embodiment, larger feed access holes 210 are 3.25 inches in diameter. In a particular embodiment, smaller feed access holes 210 are 2.25 inches in diameter. An arrangement of twelve feed access holes 210 is shown in the example embodiments of FIGS. 11-14. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that a lesser or greater number of feed access holes 210 can be used in particular alternative embodiments.

[0038] Beneficially, the feed restrictor 200 of various embodiments can float on the feed within the barrel 100 and can change in elevation within the barrel 100 in response to removal of feed during feeding. Additionally, the feed restrictor 200 can spin laterally within the barrel 100 to expose all areas of the feed underneath feed access holes 210. The spinning action of the feed restrictor 200 within the barrel 100 also serves to catch the ends of the hay, alfalfa, or long stem grasses underneath feed access holes 210. As the ends of the feed are caught by the spinning feed access holes 210, the ends of the feed tend to protrude through the feed access holes 210 and thereby become more accessible to a feeding animal. In this manner, unlike conventional feeders that use shafts or guides, the various embodiments described herein are more efficient in providing restricted access to all of the feed deposited in the barrel 100 by virtue of the innovative design of the feed restrictor 200 and barrel 100.

[0039] FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showing the feed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feed access holes 210. FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showing the feed restrictor 200 with an alternative example arrangement of feed access holes 210. As described above, the particular arrangement of feed access holes 210 can be configured for a particular type of animal or feed. Additionally, the feed access holes 210 can be positioned in cap 220 in an orthogonal, spiral, or random placement to facilitate access to a particular type of feed for a particular type of animal.

[0040] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of components and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the description provided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures herein are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0041] The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials, geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied to suit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoing examples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the various embodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

[0042] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.74(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

[0043] In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

[0044] Thus, as described above, an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor is disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.