Patent ID: 7473066
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: A01K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A conventional hay bale feeder adaptor device in combination with a tractor, said device for adapting a conventional hay bale feeder to be tilted and transported by the directed substantially horizontal movement of a conventional round hay bale positioned on and moved by a tractor, the device comprising: (a) a tilt ramp constructed and arranged for interacting with the hay bale, said tilt ramp having an upper end and a lower end, said tilt ramp removably connected on the outside of a hay bale feeder, said lower end being positionable adjacent to a bottom edge of the hay bale feeder, wherein a first removable connector connects said tilt ramp to the hay bale feeder at a first point located adjacent a bottom of a feeder, and said upper end of said tilt ramp extendable towards a top edge of the hay bale feeder in a spaced relationship thereto, such that said tilt ramp forms an acute angle with respect to a side of the hay bale feeder, said tilt ramp further comprising an outermost surface opposite from the feeder, said surface configured as an unobstructed inclined plane; b) a second removable connector and a third removable connector respectively removably connecting at least one brace to said tilt ramp at a second point, above said first point, and removably connecting said at least one brace to the hay bale feeder at a third point, above said first point, in said spaced relationship thereto; and (c) a fourth removable connector fixedly connecting at least one lateral stabilizing member to the hay bale feeder, the fourth connector positioned adjacent to the bottom of the hay bale feeder at a location opposite of said first point, said at least one lateral stabilizing member configured to provide spaced ground contact support to both sides of the hay bale feeder upon the feeder being tilted and when tilted about said at least one lateral stabilizing member, said at least one lateral stabilizing member further comprising at least one lateral ground engaging member configured to provide spaced ground engagement to both sides of the feeder upon tilting of the feeder about said at least one lateral stabilizing member, said at least one lateral stabilizing member limiting sliding movement of the hay bale feeder with respect to the ground when the feeder is tilted about said at least one lateral stabilizing member and permitting sliding movement with respect to the ground while limiting side to side rocking motion with respect to the ground upon transport of the hay bale feeder; wherein directing the substantially horizontal movement of the round hay bale by the tractor in a general direction against said outermost surface of said tilt ramp results in the upward sliding of said tilt ramp against the round hay bale causing an upward tilting of the hay bale feeder about said at least one lateral stabilizing member until said lower end of said tilt ramp is located on the top of the round hay bale and an engagement of said lower end of said tilt ramp with the round hay bale upon movement of the hay bale in a forward direction substantially opposite from said general direction, said engagement sufficient to permit the transport of the hay bale feeder when the round hay bale is moved in said forward direction and said lower end of said tilt ramp permitting sliding against the hay bale as the hay bale is inserted into the hay bale feeder through its bottom side.