Abstract:
A gravity flow feeder is disclosed having a vertically arranged, canister, funnel, chute, and trough arrangement wherein feed contained within each canister is allowed to flow down, aided by gravity, to settle within a feed trough. Use of a timing mechanism and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder allows for the articulation of a closeable access to open or close the trough in order to protect the feed contained from the elements and scavenging animals and condition the timing of animal arrival at the feeder. Any number of feed containing canisters may be implemented in order to provide for mixing of various types of feed within the trough for maintenance of a balanced diet for desired animals.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The herein disclosed invention pertains to a gravity induced animal feeding device. More specifically, the invention pertains to an animal feed dispenser where feed is produced without falling to the ground to prevent waste of feed and which does not attract hogs or other wild varmints. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Deer feeders are a common feature in the hunting industry. Many people prefer to set out a feeder in hopes of attracting and settling deer in a hunting area during the winter or other hard times so as to have a deer population present during the hunting season. Over the years, automated feeders have been developed which are intended to automatically feed a small quantity of feed, typically corn, upon the ground over a limited area around the feeder over time. Such feeders are often wind powered or powered by small electric devices using common batteries for operation. Once properly installed above an area through which deer traverse, deer will become accustomed to the feeder and receiving food from it and will be attracted and incentivized to stay in the hunting area. 
         [0003]    While such feeders are somewhat effective, they do suffer a number of disadvantages. For example, scavenging animals, other than deer, are also attracted to the feeders, requiring that the feeder must be suspended or elevated at sufficient height as to prevent hog, squirrels, and other undesired animals from directly accessing the feed container. Due to such height, feeders are often difficult and inconvenient to load. Further, typical feeders which deposit feed directly upon the ground attracts hogs and other wild animals to the area. This presents a serious problem as, in addition to such animals eating valuable feed intended for deer consumption, hogs and other animals can scare away deer defeating the purpose of the deer feeder. 
         [0004]    As well, deer feeders are generally designed with large barrels or tanks in which large amounts of feed can be stored for delayed production over time. Storage of large quantities of feed, typically enough to last several months, reduces the interaction of a hunter with the area which in turn prevents the chance of the hunter scaring off a deer population. During the off-season months it is advantageous to hunters to keep the deer population healthy and well fed in anticipation of the beginning of the hunting season. As such, many hunters prefer to mix feed such as corn, soy beans, rice bran, or commercial animal feed like sweet feed to maintain the deer population. Yet, mixing feed prior to depositing in the feeder container is time consuming and many times does not entirely mix together, leaving sections of the container with more feed than the other. 
         [0005]    Feeder actuators, whether they are wind activated or set to articulate upon an electric signal from a timer, must be reliable. Deer are sensitive to their environment and any unknown noise or motion may cause them to flee. The whirring sound of an electric motor or the sudden spinning motion of a dispenser often times will spook the deer into fleeing the area, seriously jeopardizing game traffic along a game trail. Furthermore, where the dispenser mechanism requires contact with an animal, it usually must be hung at a lower location where the deer can reach and easily contact it. However, the lower a feeder is hung, the easier it becomes for squirrels, hogs, and other animals to contact it, using up the feed. 
         [0006]    Even more so, producing feed by wind articulation or electronically timed triggering supplies feed at times when deer are not present to be attracted and does not condition the deer to come to the feeder at desired times. Rather the feed is produced upon the ground wherein the deer can eat at their leisure. Deer are foragers inclined to remain safely hidden during daylight hours, only straying from their protection during twilight and evening when they are less exposed to be preyed upon by predators. This creates a serious problem where a hunter would prefer the deer to arrive at the hunting area during daylight hours, the regulated hours reserved for hunting which are strictly enforced by each state&#39;s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Thus, it is advantageous that deer be conditioned to eat at a feeder at preferred times. 
         [0007]    In light of such disadvantages in typical game feeders, there is presently a need for a feeder which operates to condition deer to arrive at the feeder at desired times and which provides for proper mixing of feed and feeding of a deer population in a quiet and efficient manner without the necessity of depositing the feed upon the ground. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a gravity flow feeder which provides an easy and efficient means of conditioning desired animals to a feeding schedule without the unnecessary waste of ground dispersal feeding. Generally, the gravity flow feeder comprises at least one feed canister with a narrow funnel and chute affixed vertically below to allow gravity to pull feed from the canister and into an enclosed feed trough. 
         [0009]    The trough is arranged below the chute so that the feed canister, funnel, chute, and trough are in a vertically successive downward arrangement as to allow feed to pass downward there through by gravity alone. The trough is further arranged with a slight downward angle to allow feed to slide down and settle within, progressively filling the empty cavity space of the trough. Additionally, the trough is configured to contain and prevent feed from sliding out and onto the ground. A pivotally articulable access door is provided on the trough, which, in conjunction with an affixed pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, may be opened and closed at desired times as specified by a user to allow desired animals to approach and consume the contained feed. 
         [0010]    A timing mechanism, such as an analog or digital timer, may be provided to send signals to the cylinder to allow for automatic opening and closing of the trough access without the necessity of user interaction, which could disturb and scare off the animals sought to be attracted. The gravity flow feeder may further be arranged with multiple canisters with interconnected fennels and chutes to promote the mixing of the feed supplies contained in the canisters as the feed is pulled by gravity into the lone trough. 
         [0011]    The feeder may be arranged and supported upon the ground by fixedly attaching it to a support bar, wherein multiple canisters may be further attached and fastened to each other upon the support bar by means of cross members. The support bar may be adjustable and fitted with adaptable legs in order to support the feeder at a desired height upon the ground. The feeder may alternatively be suspended by means of cables or line as to allow for the feeder hang in position at such desired height. 
         [0012]    The gravity flow feeder is advantageous as it allows for a user to set a desired time for the feed containing trough to open and close so that desired animals may be attracted and conditioned to approach the area of the feeder at particular times. The interconnected vertical arrangement of the multi-canister embodiment naturally mixes the contained feed by the natural flow of gravity into the trough. The feeder is further beneficial in preventing waste of feed by the conventional means of ground dispersal, wherein the dispersed feed may be eaten by undesired animals such as hogs or other varmints. 
         [0013]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the claims and drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a gravity flow feeder of the present invention in its closed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the gravity flow feeder in its closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the gravity flow feeder as shown in  FIG. 1  in its open position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the gravity flow feeder having a hanging support. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an alternate embodiment two container gravity flow feeder of the present invention in its closed position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the two container embodiment of the gravity flow feeder in its open position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a side view of the gravity flow feeder  10  configured in its closed position. Generally, the gravity flow feeder  10  comprises a feed canister  12  vertically affixed to a trough  16  by a funnel  14  and curved chute  13 . Such vertical orientation of the canister  12  in relation to trough  16  allows for gravity to naturally pull feed through funnel  14  and chute  13  to finally settle within trough  16 . 
         [0021]    Canister  12  is envisioned as a hollow substantially cylindrical container in which animal feed may be stored. A canister lid  22  is provided for allowing canister  12  to be opened near its top for deposit of feed within canister  12 . Canister  12  may be closed by affixing the lid  22  upon canister  12  by means of screw top, plug and hole, snap fit, or other engagement conventional in the art. Providing lid  22  allows for easy allocation of feed within canister  12  while protecting the contained feed from exposure to the elements and scavenging by wild animals. 
         [0022]    Funnel  14  is provided at the bottom of canister  12  with an inwardly tapered surface in order to direct the passage of feed from the larger dimensioned canister  12  into chute  13 . Chute  13  is generally cylindrical and further designed with a curvature to project the trough  16  outward at a desired horizontal angle from the vertical axis of canister  12 . The limited size of both funnel  14  and chute  13  are provided for restricting the amount of feed passing from canister  12  and there through into trough  16  to allow for only desired quantities of feed to be fed into trough  16 . 
         [0023]    Trough  16  is a generally cylindrical container comprised of an upper end affixed to chute  13 , a pivotal access  15 , an internal cavity  23 , and an upward projecting lip  24  at its lower end. Cavity  23  is designed with a smooth inner surface to promote the sliding of feed within, wherein the upward projection of lip  24  provides an end to trough  16  wherein feed sliding within trough  16  may abut and back up within cavity  23  filling the trough  16 . Trough  16  is oriented at a slight downward angle as to promote the sliding and settling of feed within trough  16  by gravity. As animal feed is fed down through canister  12 , through funnel  14  and chute  13 , and into cavity  23  of trough  16 , the feed will be stopped by lip  24  and back up inside the trough  16 , wherein the pressure of the settled feed within trough  16  will press back against the flow of feed from canister  12 , causing the cessation of gravity feeding. 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , access  15  is pivotally attached to trough  16  above cavity  23  by a hinge  11  as to allow for the opening and closing of cavity  23  and thus the respective uncovering and securing of the feed housed within. To facilitate the opening and closing of access  15  an articulating cylinder  17  and internal piston  18  are provided which are pivotally affixed between canister  12  and access  15  by means of pivotal hinges  25   a  and  25   b . It is envisioned that cylinder  17  could be driven by pneumatic or hydraulic internal cylinder pressures and could operate as a single or double acting cylinder. By retraction of internal piston  18  into cylinder  17 , access  15  will be drawn upward, pivoting upon hinge  11 , to expose cavity  23  of trough  16  and thus reveal the feed contained within trough  16 . Inversely, extension of piston  18  out of cylinder  17  will drive the access  15  downward to close the access  15  over cavity  23  thus securing the feed within trough  16  from the elements and undesired animals. Pivotal hinges  25   a ,  25   b  allow for cylinder  17  and piston  18 , respectively, to pivot in reaction to the articulation of piston  18  moving into and out of cylinder  17  which in turn causes access  15  to open or close, thus causing a change in the pivot angle α from the vertical axis of canister  12 . 
         [0025]    As can be best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a support bar  19  and legs  20  are provided for standing the feeder  10  at an adequate height to facilitate desired animals access to the feed contained within cavity  23  when access  15  is in its open condition. Support bar  19  and legs  20  may further be adjustable to allow height adjustment to suit desired height as well as fine tuning of the orientation of legs  20  upon uneven surfaces to maintain the feeder  10  in an upright position. It is also foreseeable that feeder  10  be also installed upon stationary support structures, such as trees, fencing, posts, or other relatively stable structures which may support the weight of the feeder in a stable condition. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the gravity flow feeder  10  may alternatively supported by conventional hanging support. In such alternative embodiment, the canister  12  of feeder  10  may be provided with support couplings  30  such as brackets, pad-eyes, hooks, clamps, or other fastening means conventional in the art for catching and holding lengths of line or cable  31 . Cable  31 , in turn, can be fastened upon a structure above feeder  10  to allow for feeder  10  to hang down at a desired height above the ground. Though coupling  30  is shown in  FIG. 4  as being positioned toward the middle of canister  12 , it is felt that it would be understood that any number of couplings  30  can be positioned upon feeder  10  in varying orientation as would be necessary to provide support and balance for feeder  10  in its hanging position. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a timing mechanism  28  may be provided for triggering the actuation of cylinder  17  to open or close the access  15 . Timing mechanism  28  may be any conventional digital or analog timer conventional in the art and may run on solar or conventional batteries. In order to provide conditioning of deer and other desired animals to approach feeder  10  during daylight hours, timing mechanism  28  can be programmable to trigger the cylinder  17  to open the access  15  at desired times or upon sensing of daylight through a solar cell (not pictured), wherein access  15  may be closed at another desired time or as evening approaches and the light coverage wanes upon the solar cell (not pictured). Functioning in such a manner, the desired animal to be attracted can only access the feed within cavity  23  of feeder  10  at the times dictated by a user through the timing mechanism  28  and a feeding schedule for the animal may be formed. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , an alternate embodiment multi canister gravity flow feeder  100  is shown. Gravity flow feeder  100  is comprised of first canister  112   a  and second canister  112   b  having funnels  114   a ,  114   b  and carved chutes  113   a ,  113   b  interconnected to deposit feed into trough  116 . Canisters  112   a ,  112   b , funnels  114   a ,  114   b , and curved chutes  113   a ,  113   b are vertically orientated in relation to trough  116  to allow for gravity to naturally pull feed from canisters  112   a ,  112   b , through funnels  114  and chutes  113 , to finally settle within trough  116 . Chutes  113   a ,  113   b  may each be further angled downward towards trough  116  to further drive the gravity flow of feed into trough  116 . 
         [0029]    Canisters  112   a ,  112   b  are envisioned as a hollow substantially cylindrical containers in which animal feed may be stored. A canister lids  122  are provided for allowing canisters  112   a ,  112   b  to be opened near their top for deposit of feed within canisters  112   a ,  112   b . Canisters  112   a ,  112   b  may be closed by affixing lids  122  upon canisters  112   a ,  112   b  by means of screw top, plug and hole, snap fit, or other engagement conventional in the art. Providing lid  122  allows for easy allocation of feed within canisters  112   a ,  112   b  while protecting the contained feed from exposure to the elements and scavenging by wild animals. 
         [0030]    Funnels  114   a ,  114   b  is provided at the bottom of canisters  112   a ,  112   b  with inwardly tapered surfaces to direct the passage of feed from the larger dimensioned canisters  112   a ,  112   b  into curved chutes 13a, 13b. Chutes.  113   a ,  113   b are generally cylindrical and further designed with a curvature an inwardly oriented downward taper to direct feed down and into trough  116 . The limited size of both funnels  114   a ,  114   b and chutes  113   a ,  113   b provide for restricting the amount of feed passing from canisters  112   a ,  112   b  and there through into trough  16  to allow for only desired quantities of feed to be fed into trough  116 . Chutes  113   a ,  113   b  may further be formed as a single U-shaped chute  113  to interconnect the funnels  114   a ,  114   b . 
         [0031]    Trough  116  is a generally cylindrical container comprised of an upper end affixed at the lower end of the intersection between chutes  113   a and  113   b , a pivotal access  115 , an internal cavity  123 , and an upward projecting lip  124  at its lower end. Trough  116  is outwardly projected from chutes  113   a ,  113   b  at a desired horizontal angle and vertically slanted from the vertical axis of canisters  112   a ,  112   b  b to provide desired animals with adequate space to approach and graze upon feed within trough  116  without being constrained by the canisters  112   a ,  112   b , funnels  114   a ,  114   b , and chutes  113   a ,  113   b  above trough  116 . 
         [0032]    Cavity  123  is designed with a smooth inner surface to promote the sliding of feed within, wherein the upward projection of lip  124  provides an end to trough  116 . Feed sliding within trough  16  may abut and back up within cavity  123  filling the trough  116 . Trough  116  is oriented at a slight downward angle as to promote the sliding and settling of feed within trough  116  by gravity. As animal feed is fed down through canisters  112   a ,  112   b , through funnels  114   a ,  114   b  and chutes  113   a ,  113   b , and into cavity  123  of trough  116 , the feed will be stopped by lip  124  and back up inside the trough  116 , wherein the pressure of the settled feed within trough  116  will press back against the flow of feed from canister  112 , causing the cessation of gravity feeding. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , access  115  is pivotally attached to trough  16  above cavity  123  by a hinge  11  as to allow for the opening and closing of cavity  123  and thus the respective uncovering and securing of the feed housed within. To facilitate the opening and closing of access  115  an articulating cylinder  117  and internal piston  118  are provided which are pivotally affixed between support bar  119  and access  115  by means of pivotal hinges  125   a  and  125   b . It is envisioned that cylinder  117  could be driven by pneumatic or hydraulic internal cylinder pressures and could operate as a single or double acting cylinder. By retraction of internal piston  118  into cylinder  117 , access  115  will be drawn upward, pivoting upon hinge  111 , to expose cavity  123  of trough  116  and thus reveal the feed contained within trough  116 . Inversely, extension of piston  118  out of cylinder  117  will drive the access  115  downward to close the access  115  over cavity  123  thus securing the feed within trough  116  from the elements and undesired animals. The pivotal nature of hinges  125   a ,  125   b  allow for cylinder  117  and piston  118 , respectively, to pivot in reaction to piston  118  moving into and out of cylinder  117  which in turn causes access  115  to open or close, thus causing a change in angle Δ from the vertical axis of support bar  119 . 
         [0034]    As can be best seen in  FIG. 5 , a support bar  119  and legs  20  are provided for standing the feeder  100  at an adequate height to facilitate desired animals access to the feed contained within cavity  123  when access  115  is in its open condition. Support bar  119  is provided as a structure upon which pivotal hinge  125   a  of cylinder  117  may articulably engage against during extension and retraction of piston  118  to open and close the access  115 . Support bar  119  and legs  120  may be adjustable to allow height adjustment to suit desired height as well as fine tuning of the orientation of legs  120  upon uneven surfaces to maintain the feeder  100  in an upright position. It is also foreseeable that feeder  100  be also installed upon stationary support structures, such as trees, fencing, posts, or other relatively stable structures which may support the weight of the feeder  100  in a stable condition. 
         [0035]    A cross member  126  is provided for the purpose of facilitating the attachment of canisters  112   a  and  112   b  to each other and to support bar  119 . Cross member  126  may be integral to support bar  119  or may be secured separately by any conventional means of secure attachment such as screw, bolt, or clamping. The attachment of canisters  112   a  and  112   b  to cross member  126  may further be any conventional means of secure attachment, such as screw, bolt, or clamping. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the gravity flow feeder  100  may alternatively supported by conventional hanging support. Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a support bar  119  is provided as a structure upon which pivotal hinge  125   a  of cylinder  117  and cross member  126  may be maintainedly engaged, wherein cylinder  117  may articulably engage against and which cross member  126  may attach and support the canisters  112   a ,  112   b  together. In such alternative embodiment, the canisters  112   a ,  112   b  of feeder  100  may be provided with support couplings  130  such as brackets, pad-eyes, hooks, clamps, or other fastening means conventional in the art for catching and holding lengths of line or cable  131 . Cable  131 , in turn, can be fastened upon a structure above feeder  100  to allow for feeder  100  to hang down at a desired height above the ground. Though coupling  130  is shown in  FIG. 6  as being positioned toward the middle of canisters  112   a ,  112   b , it is felt that it would be understood that any number of couplings  130  could be positioned upon feeder  100  in varying orientation as would be necessary to provide support and balance for feeder  100  in its hanging position. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a timing mechanism  128  may be provided for triggering the actuation of cylinder  117  to open or close the access  115 . Timing mechanism  128  may be any conventional digital or analog timer conventional in the art and may run on solar or conventional batteries. In order to provide conditioning of deer and other desired animals to approach the feeder  100  during daylight hours, timing mechanism  128  can be programmable to trigger the cylinder  117  to open the access  115  at desired times or upon sensing of daylight through a solar cell (not pictured), wherein access  115  may be closed at another desired time or as evening approaches and the light coverage wanes upon the solar cell (not pictured). Functioning in such a manner, the desired animal to be attracted can only consume the feed within cavity  123  of feeder  100  at the times dictated by a user through the timing mechanism  128  and a feeding schedule for the animal may be formed. 
         [0038]    In operation, the deposit of feed from canisters  112   a ,  112   b  through funnels  114   a ,  114   b  into chutes  113   a ,  113   b  will meet and commingle the feed flowing into trough  116 . Gravity flow is advantageous for proper mixing of feed as when the feed from each canister if  112   a ,  112   b  slidingly meet at the intersection of chutes  113   a ,  113   b  the descending feed will naturally mix as it enters trough  116 . This provides for an ease of feed mixing without the necessity of a user mixing the feed prior to filling the canisters  112   a ,  112   b . Given the relative symmetry of feeder  100  and the funneling nature of its design, the feed entering the trough  116  will be evenly mixed and distributed as it settles within cavity  123 . 
         [0039]    For ease of understanding  FIGS. 5 and 6  depict two canisters  112   a  and  112   b . It should be well understood that multiple canisters  112 , such as three, four, or even more, may be added to deposit and mix feed into trough  116  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In such multiple canister embodiment, the pivotal hinge  125   a  attaching the cylinder  117  may be fastened to either a central canister to the arrangement, similar to that depicted in  FIG. 3  of the single canister embodiment, or to support bar  119  or cross member  126 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , in order to allow for the articulation of cylinder  117  to open or close the access  115 . 
         [0040]    It is thought that the gravity flow feeder apparatuses  10 ,  100  presented herein as well as their attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also thought that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form herein being merely examples of embodiments of the invention. It is thought that it would be well known that the canisters  12 ,  112   a , and  112   b , funnels  14 ,  114   a ,  114   b , curved chutes  13 ,  113   a ,  113   b , and troughs  16 ,  116  could be of varying sizes and any assortment of shapes, such as cubic, conical, or other hollow three dimensional polygonal shapes to suit the desired gravity flow of the feeder  10 ,  100 . It is also thought it would be apparent that feeder  10 ,  100  may also be implemented in the feeding of other desired animals, such as in the feeding of livestock and poultry or in the industries of animal rearing and ranching.