Animal feeder

Feeder for grain or like type of feed comprising a cone supported substantially in the center of a circular member having upwardly extending lips. The cone can be of galvanized sheet metal or like material and the circular member can be a tire. The specific size of the circular member determines the size of the cone. A tractor tire in combination with a cone is well suited for a grain feeder for livestock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to agricultural equipment and, more 
particularly, pertains to a feeder such as a grain feeder for livestock on 
the farm or ranch. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Prior art grain feeders have usually been constructed from galvanized sheet 
metal and are not only bulky and cumbersome to handle as an agricultural 
implement for the feeding of livestock, but also entails a certain expense 
in the operation of a farm. While the prior art feeders are practical, the 
expense of procuring the feeders for livestock in large farming operations 
becomes burdensome and decreases the farmer's profits. 
It is further particularly burdensome to ship, let alone manufacture, 
livestock feeders due to the round configuration of the feeders which does 
not provide for optimum shipping let alone storage of the feeders whether 
at the implement dealer or on the farm. 
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by 
providing a feeder which utilizes old tractor tires or generically any old 
tires which are always prevalent in the agricultural industry, especially 
on the farm, and a sheet metal cone which can be easily manufactured and 
transported for least cost. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The general purpose of the present invention is a grain feeder for actively 
feeding or livestock in an agricultural environment, and utilizing the 
combination of a cone structure and an agricultural tire. This type of 
grain feeder provides for feeding a large number of livestock at a single 
time, at least minimal cost to the farmer. 
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a 
feeder including a cone member projecting from a peak to an outwardly 
radially circumference at an oblique angle from the peak and a circular 
member having an upwardly extending lip, the outward radial circumference 
of the cone affixed to a base of the circular member with the lip of the 
circular member extending upwardly whereby the base of the circular member 
is supported substantially planar to the ground and the peak of the cone 
distributes feed about the circular member up to the edge of the lip for 
consumption by livestock in an agricultural environment. 
A significant aspect and feature of the present invention is that the 
feeder can be constructed from galvanized sheet metal for the cone and 
from an old tractor tire for the circular member. The tractor tire can be 
sectioned in half with a tile or butcher knife providing for a circular 
member with an upwardly extending lip. 
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a feeder 
which can be constructed for accommodating any size circular member 
depending upon the particular size of the livestock such as hogs, calves 
or horses, etc. 
Having thus described one embodiment of the present invention, it is an 
object hereof to provide a grain feeder for feeding of livestock in an 
agricultural environment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of the grain feeder 10, the 
present invention, shows an animal 12 eating feed 14 in the grain feeder 
10. The grain feeder 10 includes a cone member 16 constructed from any 
suitable material as later described in detail secured to the lower tire 
bead 18 of a tire 20 such as a tractor tire. The tire 20 can be cut in 
half 22 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and as later described in detail. An 
additional lower tire or tires 24 can be utilized to support the cone 
member 16--tire 20 of the grain feeder 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and as 
later described in detail. The cone member 16 includes a peak 26 extending 
at an angle 28 to a base 30. A plurality of screws 32 such as sheet metal 
screws, rivets or other like fastening members secure the base 30 of the 
cone member 16 to the lower tire bead 18. The cone member 16 accepts, 
distributes and equalizes feed about the grain feeder 10. Any type of feed 
or mix of feeds can be utilized within the grain feeder 10. Drain holes 34 
can be provided in the base of the tire 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2. 
FIG. 2, which illustrates a sectional view of the grain feeder 10 of the 
present invention taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, shows the cone member 
16, sheet metal screws 32a and 32b and tire 20. The shape of the cone 
member 16 is by way of example and for purposes of illustration only, as 
any suitable geometric configuration can be utilized in lieu of the cone 
member within the teachings of this patent. 
FIG. 3 which illustrates an alternative embodiment 40 the present 
invention, shows a tire 22 which has been cut in half with a tile knife, 
butcher knife or other suitable instrument and is secured to a cone 16 in 
a likewise suitable manner as previously described for FIGS. 1 and 2. The 
difference between FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3 is that the upwardly extending 
half 34 of the tire has been deleted. The cut of the upwardly extending 
portion of the tire is determined based on factors of the type of grain 
being fed and the particular type of livestock utilizing the grain feeder. 
FIG. 4, which illustrates another alternative embodiment 50 shows the grain 
feeder of FIG. 3 supported on an additional tire 24 thus raising the 
height of the grain feeder. The height of the grain feeder is determined 
by the particular type of livestock being fed in the agricultural 
environment. 
MODE OF OPERATION 
The grain feeder 10 of the present invention is utilized in a manner such 
that the grain 14 is poured over the peak 26 providing for equal 
distribution about the circumference between the base 30 of the cone 16 
and base of the tire 20 for consumption by the livestock 12 in an 
agricultural environment. The tire 20 can be a tractor tire such as 
18.4.times.34 providing for a cone of substantial dimensions to be 
accommodated by the base of the tire. The angle 28 of the cone is 
determined by the size grain, the livestock, the size of the tire, and 
other factors of the agricultural environment. The angle of the cone would 
be best in the range of 30.degree.-60.degree. providing for equal 
distribution of the feed for the livestock. 
The operations of FIG. 3 of the alternative embodiment and FIG. 4 of 
another alternative embodiment are similar likewise in manner to that 
previously described for FIG. 1. 
Pressed rubber, the black high-strength and lightweight material, is well 
suited for manufacturing the structures of FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 3 as a 
cone piece integral structure. Utilizing pressed rubber obviates the need 
for fastening screws and the drain holes 34 can be easily provided in the 
base of the circular member. As required, the cone member 16 and the 
circular member in lieu of the tire can be formed as one piece integral 
unit member of the pressed rubber. The particular size of the cone and 
circular member is determined by the size of livestock and the coarseness 
of the grain. Inherently, larger livestock eat larger grain thereby 
requiring a larger feeder. The particular angles, diameters, and lip 
height of the circular member is again determined by the size of the 
livestock. 
The core member 16 can be made of pressed rubber and secured to a tire such 
as a 18.4.times.34, 23.1.times.20, or a 14.8.times.38 by way of example 
and for purpose of illustration only with sheet metal screws or white 
bolts. The tire lip can be cut to any certain size dependent upon the 
livestock being fed and dependent upon the tire sizes. Different sizes of 
cone members can be utilized also with appropriate tire sizes. The cone 
member 16 can also be scored at apropriate horizontal heights about entire 
circumferences of the cone for ease in cutting the cone member 16 to 
different heights thereby providing that only one size cone need be sold. 
Various modifications can be made to the present invention without 
departing from the apparent scope thereof.