Abstract:
A portable deer and game feeder includes a tub-like feeder box, a support frame for supporting the feeder box, the support frame including a plurality of removable legs for supporting the feeder box above the ground, and a roof extending over the feeder box and being large enough to overhang the edges of the feeder box. A plurality of removable roof support posts are provided for supporting the roof over the feeder box, and the removable legs and the removable roof supports are sized and configured to be detached and stowed in the feeder box for transport.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Deer hunters prefer to shoot large and healthy deer and other game to obtain the largest amount of good-tasting meat and the best trophies. For deer to grow large and meaty, they need to eat a good quantity and quality of food. To help deer eat well, hunters sometimes set up deer feeders in fields and stock the feeders with nutritious deer feed. Such deer feed is typically corn feed, high protein feed, or other feed for supplementing the deer&#39;s diet. The feeders are used before, but usually not during, deer season, so they typically are transported from the field just before the season opens and then transported back out to the field and set up again after the end of the season. 
   Some simple deer feeders include wooden boxes and metal barrels for holding the feed. Another type of deer feeder has a container for the feed and a slinger device for slinging the feed from the container out to the area around the feeder. And yet another type of deer feeder has a container for the feed that is suspended above the ground. All of these feeders are useful in providing nutritious feed to deer to help them grow large and healthy. But they are generally heavy and bulky to transport and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble. 
   Accordingly, there is yet a need for a deer and game feeder that can be assembled and disassembled in the field quickly and easily and that is lightweight and compact when disassembled for ease of transporting and storing. It is to the provision of such a deer and game feeder that the present invention primarily is directed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly described, in a preferred illustrative form the present invention comprises a portable deer and game feeder. The feeder includes a tub-like feeder box and a support frame for supporting the feeder box above the ground. Preferably, the support frame includes a plurality of removable legs for supporting the feeder box. A roof extends over the feeder box and is large enough to overhang the edges of the feeder box. Preferably, a plurality of removable roof support posts are provided for supporting the roof over the feeder box. Advantageously, it is preferred that the removable legs and the removable roof supports are sized and configured to be detached and stowed in the feeder box, as for storage and transport. 
   Preferably, the feeder includes a roof that has two roof panels that are hinged together, such that the roof panels extend over the feeder box to a substantial degree in use and can be folded against one another to be positioned atop the feeder box like a lid for storage. 
   In one form, it is preferred that the feeder box portion of the feeder is in the form of a one-piece, tub like element. However, other configurations for the feeder box can be employed. Also, the feeder box can be made of a molded plastic element. 
   In one form, the roof is made up of at least two half roof portions which are hinged together, with one of the half roof portions at least partially overlapping the other. 
   The feeder of the present invention can be set up in the field easily and quickly. Also, it can be broken down in the field easily and quickly. Advantageously, the feeder of the present invention is compact and lightweight. It also is effective for protecting the feed contained in the feeder box from weather, in particular from getting wet. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective illustration of a deer and game feeder according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic, front view of a portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic, side view of a portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partly-exploded perspective view of a portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic, bottom view of a roof portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic, side view of the roof portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic, side view of a roof support portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic, front view of the roof support portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic, side view of a portion of the roof support portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic, side view of another portion of the roof support portion of the deer and game feeder of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view of the deer and game feeder of  FIG. 1 , shown in a compact, stowed configuration for transport and storage, and shown with the roof removed for clarity of illustration. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic side sectional view of the deer and game feeder of  FIG. 11 , shown in the compact, stowed configuration for transport and storage, and shown with the roof in place. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-12  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, referred to generally as the feeder  10 . The feeder  10  is well suited for feeding deer and other wildlife, but it can be used in other applications. For example, the feeder  10  could be used for outdoor feeding of livestock, domesticated animals, or even pets. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the feeder  10  includes a feed box  12  for holding animal food, a roof  14  for covering the feed box, and roof supports  16  mounted to the feed box and the roof. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the feed box  12  is a one-piece molded plastic tub with a rectangular body  18  and a peripheral lip  20 . In a typical commercial embodiment, the feed box tub is 24 inches wide and 60 inches long. It will be understood that the feed box  12  can be round, polygonal, or another regular or irregular shape with other dimensions, can be made of fiberglass or another material selected for low weight and high strength, and can be provided in configurations other than a one-piece tub. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the feeder  10  includes a feed box frame  22  for supporting the feed box  12  in a nested arrangement. The feed box frame  22  has a peripheral member  24  for supporting the feed box peripheral lip  20 , unshaped rib members  26  for supporting the feed box body  18 , and legs  28  for positioning the feed box  12  up off the ground. The feed box  12  can be secured to the frame  22  by bolts, rivets, or other fasteners, or it can rest in the frame without fasteners. In addition, the legs  28  have feet  32  for added stability. Optionally, the feet  32  could be replaced with pointed tips for penetrating the ground or simply done away with. 
   Preferably, the legs  28  are removably coupled to the peripheral member  24 . For example, the feed box frame  22  preferably can have hollow stubs  30  for removably receiving the legs  28 . Or the legs  28  may be hollow and slide over the stubs  30 . Either way, the legs  28  are sized so that when disassembled from the feed box frame  22 , they fit inside the feed box  12 . In this way, the legs  28  can be can be stored inside the feed box  12  when the feeder  10  is not being used so that the feeder is compact and easy to store and transport. 
   In a typical commercial embodiment, the peripheral member  24 , the rib members  26 , and the legs  28  are made of 1 inch steel conduit or tubing, the stubs  30  are made of pipe clamps or sleeves, and the feet  32  are made of 14 gauge steel plates. The rib members  26  are welded onto the undersides of the peripheral member  24 , and the feet  32  are welded onto the legs  28 . It will be understood that the frame  22  can be round, polygonal, or another regular or irregular shape with other dimensions, made of fiberglass or another material selected for low weight and high strength, and provided in other configurations than a welded-together framework of steel conduit sections. The legs  28  can be removably attached to the frame  22  in other ways selected for strength and convenience. For example, the legs  28  can be threadedly attached to the frame  22 , can be attached using a detent ball arrangement, or in other ways. Also, the legs  28  could be foldably mounted to the frame  22  (in which case it would be preferable to mount the legs between the ribs  26 , instead of having the ribs between the legs as shown in the drawings). 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 , the roof  14  includes two panels  34  attached together by hinges  36  or other couplings that permit the panels to swing in a hinged fashion and be collapsed flat with the panels folded over onto each other. The panels  34  are shaped and sized so that, when the feeder  10  is disassembled, the roof  14  can be positioned on or in the feed box  12  as a lid. In this way, the legs  28  placed inside the feed box  12  when the feeder  10  is in storage or transport are prevented from coming out and being lost or damaged. 
   In a typical commercial embodiment, each roof panel  34  includes a rectangular rigid frame  38  and a rectangular sheet  40  of material attached to the frame. Each frame  38  is made of 14-gauge angle metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, or galvanized iron) that is welded or otherwise connected together. Each sheet  40  is made of plastic and is 30 inches wide, 8 feet long, and ⅛ inch thick. The frames  38  are connected by three or another number of conventional hinges  36 , such as butt hinges or piano hinge(s). Preferably, one of the panel sheets  40  has a portion  42  that overlaps the other panel sheet  40  when the panels  34  are unfolded and assembled onto the feeder  10 . This overlapping portion  42  covers the gap between the roof panels  34 , thereby directing rainwater across the roof  14  and preventing it from leaking between the roof panels  34  and down into the feed box  12 . It will be understood that the frames  38  and the sheets  40  can be round, polygonal, or another regular or irregular shape with other dimensions, made of fiberglass or another material selected for low weight and high strength, and provided in other configurations than a two-panel, frame-and-sheet arrangement. 
   As shown in FIGS.  1  and  7 - 10 , the roof  14  is mounted to the feed box  12  by the roof supports  16 . The roof supports  16  are detachably coupled to the feed box  12  and the roof  14 . The roof supports  16  are sized and shaped so that when disassembled from the feed box  12  and the roof  14 , they fit inside the feed box. In this way, the roof supports  16  can be can be stored inside the feed box  12  when the feeder  10  is not being used so that the feeder is compact and easy to store and transport. 
   In a typical commercial embodiment, each roof support  16  includes two central segments  44   a  and  44   b  (collectively the “central segments  44 ”), three top end segments  46   a ,  46   b , and  46   c  (collectively the “top end segments  46 ”), and two bottom end segments  48   a  and  48   b  (collectively the “bottom end segments  48 ”). The top end segments  46  are angled with respect to each other, and the bottom end segments  48  are angled with respect to each other, thereby providing stability for supporting the roof  14  over the feed box  12 . The central segment  44   a , the top end segment  46   a , and the bottom end segment  48   a  are provided in the form of an elongate member  50   a  made of one piece of bent ¾ inch tubing. Similarly, the central segment  44   b , the top end segment  46   b , and the bottom end segment  48   b  are provided in the form of an elongate member  50   b  made of one piece of bent ¾ inch tubing. Top end segment  46   c  is provided in the form of one piece of ¾ inch tubing that is detachably coupled to the central segments  44  by bolts, screws, pins, or other fasteners that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. It will be understood that the roof supports  16  can be made of fiberglass or another material selected for low weight and high strength, and provided in configurations other than a three-piece bolted-together tubing arrangement as shown in this example. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , the roof supports  16  are connected to the frame  38  of the roof  14  by bolts, screws, pins, or other fasteners that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. As shown in  FIG. 10 , brackets  52  are mounted to the feed box  12 , and the roof supports  16  are mounted to the brackets  52 . The brackets  52  can be provided in the form of 2 inch by 2 inch pieces of 14-gauge angle metal (such as steel or aluminum). The roof supports  16  are mounted to the brackets  52 , and the brackets are mounted to the feed box  12 , by bolts, screws, pins, or other fasteners that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. Preferably, the brackets  52  are removable so that, when disassembled from the feed box  12 , they fit inside the feed box. This provides an even more compact packing of the feeder  10 . It will be understood that the roof supports  16  can be detachably coupled to the feed box  12  and to the roof  14  by other structures selected for providing a strong and quick and easy connection. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the feeder  10  can be disassembled and packed in a compact and lightweight configuration for storing and transporting. The elongate roof support members  50 , the roof support top end segments  46   c , the brackets  52 , the legs  28 , and the mounting hardware can all be disassembled and placed inside the feed box  12 . Then the roof  14  can be folded flat and placed atop of the feed box  12  as a lid. If desired, the roof  14  can be strapped or otherwise bound onto the feed box  12 . In this disassembled configuration, the feeder  10  is very compact and weighs only about 78 lbs., so it can be easily stored and transported to or from the field. When needed, the feeder  10  can be transported out to the field and set up for use quickly and easily. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the feed box  12  is made of five panels of sheet metal with four side panels and one bottom panel screwed to the side panels. The roof  14  is made of two panels of sheet metal hingedly coupled together so that it can be folded flat when the feeder is disassembled. The roof supports  16  are provided by four pieces of angle metal attached to the roof panels and to the feed box corners with the feed box  12  positioned up off the ground. The feed box  12  is pre-assembled into a rigid structure during manufacture and then after purchase the roof supports  16  are attached to feed box and the roof  14  in the field. 
   In a related alternative embodiment, instead of being screwed together, the feed box side panels can be hingedly coupled together so that they can be collapsed flat. In addition, the bottom panel can be hingedly coupled to one side panel and detachably coupled, e.g., by latches, to the opposite side panel, so that all five of the feed box panels can be collapsed flat for storage and transporting. 
   In another alternative embodiment, the roof  14  is provided by three, four, or more hinged panels that fold flat and compactly when the feeder is disassembled for storage and transport. For example, the roof  14  can include four roof panels configured with three parallel longitudinal fold lines so that the panels fold into a four-panel stack about the same width as the feed box  12 . In this way, when the feeder  10  is disassembled with the supports  16  stored in the feed box  12 , the roof  14  can be positioned over the feed box  12  for use as a lid. In addition, the feeder  10  includes one or more connectors, e.g., latches, on the roof  14  that engage a lip on the feed box  12 , to secure the roof/lid on the feed box. 
   Alternatively, the roof  14  can include six roof panels configured with one longitudinal center fold line and two perpendicular transverse fold lines so that the panels fold into a six-panel stack that fits in the feed box  12 . In addition, the feed box  12  can be configured with an inside ledge, e.g., a bracket mounted to or an offset formed in the side panels, that supports the folded six-panel stack in the feed box  12  with enough space for the supports  16  so that it acts as a lid for the feed box  12 . 
   In yet another alternative embodiment, the roof  14  includes two (or more) rigid frame segments hingedly coupled together and a removable cover that fits onto and is supported by the frame segments. For example, the cover could be made of a flexible material such as a fabric, plastic, or another material selected for strength, durability, and water non-permeability. The cover can be provided with loops, straps, fitted edges, etc., for securing the cover to the frame segments. The frame segments could be collapsible into a compact stack that fits into the feed box  12  for storage. Alternatively, the cover could be provided for use with other roof designs mentioned herein for preventing rainwater from leaking between the roof panels  34  and into the feed box  12 . 
   In still another alternative embodiment, the feed box  12  is made of a flexible material formed into an accordion-style structure that can be collapsed for compact storage and transport or expanded for field use. In another embodiment, the feed box  12  is made of four side panels with each having a top and/or bottom lip that is turned out at a ninety degree angle forming a rectangular notch in each corner for receiving roof supports  16  made of angle metal. In another embodiment, at least two of the feed box side panels extend below the bottom panel to act as legs supporting the feed box  12  up off the ground, and/or at least two of the feed box side panels extend above the top of the feed box  12  to act as supports for the roof  14 . 
   In a further alternative embodiment, the roof supports  16  are collapsible and made of segments that are connected together telescopically, hingedly, or pivotally. For example, the roof supports  16  can be X-shaped and pivotally connected together so that they can be pivoted from an “X” shape during use into alignment with each other forming an “I” shape for storage and transport. In another alternative embodiment, each roof support  16  is made of two pieces, with one piece having one central segment, two top end segments, and two bottom end segments, and the other piece being the third top end segment. In addition, the feed box legs  28  can be hinged so they fold up, telescopic so they retract, or both. 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides a deer and game feeder  10  that can be assembled quickly and easily in the field for use and later disassembled quickly and easily for removing from the field. Furthermore, the deer and game feeder  10  is lightweight and disassembles into a compact storage kit for ease of transporting and storing. While certain embodiments are described above with particularity for illustrating certain aspects of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the foregoing relates only to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.