Poultry feeder

A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to animal feeding systems and, more particularly, relates to feeder assemblies for poultry and the like.

Automated feeding systems for poultry and like domestic animals have proved highly successful in modern animal husbandry operations. These systems can supply feed mixtures to a large poultry flock with minimum effort by the poultry grower. Both the amounts of feed delivered and the proportions of feed ingredients can be regulated, thus permitting the flock to be inexpensively raised from chicks to mature, commercially valuable birds in a relatively short time.

Among the important parts of such automated feeding systems are the feeder assemblies. These assemblies receive feed flow from a feed conveyor, and are located on or near the poultry house floor to afford the birds ready access to the feed. Among the patents disclosing such feeder assemblies are, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,388,690, 3,511,215, 3,811,412, 3,911,868, 4,070,990, 4,476,811, 4,834,026, 4,995,343, 5,092,274, 5,941,193 and 6,173,676.

Early poultry growers traditionally introduced very young birds into poultry houses and provided supplemental feed to the young birds or chicks on paper, cardboard or the like, which was laid on the poultry house floor. The chicks were not initially introduced to feeding from feeder assemblies for two main reasons. One reason was that chicks were unable to gain access to the feed in the feeder assemblies because the height of the feeder assemblies from where the birds would gain access to the feed was too high for the chicks. Another reason was that the feed which was introduced into the feeder assembly was always provided on the bottom of a pan of the feeder assembly such that even if the young birds could reach over the height of the side of the feeder assembly, the birds could not then reach down to eat the feed at the bottom of the feeder assembly. Thus, the poultry grower provided supplemental feed to the chicks either by providing the supplemental feed to the chicks outside of the feeder assemblies or by hand filling the supplemental feed into the feeder assemblies to provide a high feed level.

Problems, however, arose with such practice. Among these problems, obviously, was that such a practice required more time and labor by the poultry grower which could be better utilized elsewhere. Also, the feed provided on the floor of the poultry house came into contact with waste, dirt, etc., which the birds would also then eat, potentially causing health problems for the birds. Further, the birds raked the feed with their feet such that the feed became spread out over the poultry house floor, such that a fair amount of the feed placed on the floor by the poultry grower was wasted.

Thus, many prior art feeders were designed to help combat these problems. For instance, the feeder assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,311,839, 5,462,017 and 5,718,187 attempted to solve the problem of the height of the feeder assemblies being too high such that smaller birds could not gain access to or see the feed presented in the feeder assembly to eat it, thus requiring the poultry growers to either utilize the supplemental feed, as discussed above or provide separate feeder assemblies in which the smaller birds would be able to feed from. These feeder assemblies utilized a lost motion connection between the grill and the pan to provide both a shallow pan depth for younger, smaller birds and a deep pan depth for older, larger birds. The problem with the lost motion connection for the poultry grower is that in order to utilize the lost motion connection, the feeder assemblies had to be raised off of or lowered onto the poultry house floor. For instance, the feeder assemblies could not be lowered from the deep pan depth to the shallow pan depth without a bottom of the pan resting on the poultry house floor. As the floors of poultry houses are often uneven, the feeder assemblies could not all be consistently configured in the same manner when the feeder assemblies were positioned on the floor of the poultry house.

Other designs like the feeder assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,476,811 and 5,092,274 also attempted to solve the problem of the feed being presented to younger, smaller birds at too low of a level within the feeder assemblies. The feeder assemblies provided both an upper or “brood” feed gate to provide high feed levels for younger, smaller birds and a lower feed gate to provide lower feed levels for older, larger birds. The upper feed gate was provided as a window in the feed drop tube of the feeder assembly, which, when open, would allow feed to flow therethrough to create a high feed level in the feeder assembly for the young birds to easily see and eat. When the birds grew older and larger, the poultry grower could close the upper feed gate and allow the feed to flow through the bottom of the feed drop tube, i.e., the lower feed gate, to provide a lower feed level.

These feeder assemblies, while highly successful in industry, do, however, have some disadvantages to them. For example, in these inventions, the upper and lower feed gates are typically not both able to be open if the poultry grower should so desire them to be. Also, the feed gates are typically only opened and closed by moving the feeder assemblies on and off of the ground. Finally, these feeder assemblies did not provide for a smooth transition from a high feed level to a low feed level; as a practical matter the poultry grower could only provide a high feed level or a low feed level, but nothing in between.

Feeder assemblies of the prior art have also caused other problems for the poultry grower. For example, when birds grow larger, the birds typically like to eat from the feeder assemblies by resting a front side of their bodies on or against the feeder assembly in some manner. As feeder assemblies of the prior art have not typically been designed with the comfort and health of the birds in mind, the birds tend to eat from the feeder assemblies while being uncomfortable. In many prior art feeder assemblies, when birds rest on or against the feeder assemblies, detrimental physical effects, such as bruising, blistering, irritation, etc., to the front sides of the bird's bodies, such as their breasts, may occur. Such detrimental physical effects can cause two major problems. One is that since the front sides of the birds' bodies will become detrimentally physically effected, the birds will not be comfortable resting on or against the feeder assemblies, such that the birds may not eat as much food from the feeder assemblies as it is too uncomfortable for them to do so. Thus, the birds either do not become as large and are not as commercially valuable as they could have been, or the rate at which the birds grow is reduced, thus taking longer for them to reach their optimal size and weight. Secondly, once the birds are defeathered and graded, if the front sides of bird's bodies are detrimentally physically effected, the birds will receive a lower grade, thus making them less commercially valuable.

Therefore, an improved feeder assembly is needed which will overcome the problems and disadvantages of prior art feeder assemblies. The present invention provides such a feeder assembly. Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the attached specification, in combination with a study of the drawings.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which has both a lower and an upper feed gate for providing feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which has an upper feed gate which is adjustable or variable such that the feeder assembly can provide feed at a relatively high level to a relatively low level in a smooth transition.

Yet another primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which allows the upper feed gate to be opened or closed without requiring the feeder assembly to be raised off of the ground or be set on the ground.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly with an upper feed gate which can be manually or automatically adjusted to provide different levels of feed in the pan of the feeder assembly.

Still another primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which acts as a shallow depth feeder for smaller birds and as a deep depth feeder for larger birds.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which is configured to lend itself to the welfare of birds which feed from the feeder assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which has a lower feed gate which can be raised or lowered by rotation of a grill member relative to a drop tube member of the feeder assembly.

An object of the invention is to provide a lower feed gate which is always at least partially open to allow some feed to flow therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which provides for a reduction in detrimental physical effects caused to the birds when the birds feed from the feeder assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which is designed for bird comfort such that birds will tend to eat longer when positioned against the feeder assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which will reduce bird condemnation when the birds are visually inspected and graded.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which discourages the birds feeding therefrom from raking the feed provided within the feeder assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which has indicators thereon to allow for the easy determination of the height of the lower feed gate.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which positively selectively locks the height of the lower feed gate into place

Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly having a high cone on the feed pan to promote high feed levels out of the upper feed gate of the feeder assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly having a wide eating area on the feed pan to provide smaller birds with more room to eat and to provide a visually larger feed area which encourages birds to eat.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly having a wide feeding area which is positioned radially further away from the center of the feeder assembly than feeding areas of prior art feeders, thus providing birds easier access to the feed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly having structure thereon to make cleaning of the feeder assembly relatively easy.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which allows for the easy connection of the pan member to the grill member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a feeder assembly which can be utilized to feed all different types of birds, including chickens, turkeys and ducks, from a time when the birds are very young until the birds are fully grown.

Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the invention provides a feeder assembly which is adapted to be attached to a feed supply conduit of a feeder system. Three embodiments of the feeder assembly are provided.

The first embodiment of the feeder assembly generally includes a pan member, a grill member, an outer drop tube member, an inner drop tube member, and an inner drop tube actuator.

The outer drop tube member hangs from the feed supply conduit of the feeder system by a member which wraps around the feed supply conduit. The inner drop tube member is positioned within and supported by the outer drop tube member. Both the inner and outer drop tube members have windows or apertures therethrough. An extension of the inner drop tube member extends through an opening at a top of the outer drop tube member such that it can be connected to the inner drop tube actuator. When the inner drop tube actuator is moved, the inner drop tube member is rotated within the outer drop tube member such that an upper feed gate can be opened, by alignment of the windows, or closed, by disalignment of the windows.

The grill member is rotatably connected to the outer drop tube member by helical threads on both the grill member and the outer drop tube member, which allow a lower feed gate of the feeder assembly to be raised or lowered relative to the pan member.

A rim member of the grill member is connected to an upstanding outer portion of the pan member with an upstanding inner portion of the pan member extending within the inner drop tube member. The pan member has a base portion between the upstanding outer and inner portions for presenting feed. The upstanding inner portion of the pan member helps promote high feed levels out of the upper feed gate.

The outer drop tube member has wing portions extending from a bottom thereof which can be positioned above the base portion of the pan member to ensure that the lower feed gate of the feeder assembly is always partially open such that some feed can flow therethrough.

The grill member is configured such that birds which lean on or against the rim and spoke members of the grill member to eat feed presented in the pan member will not be detrimentally physically effected, or the detrimental physical effects will, at a minimum, be decreased. The birds will also be comfortable leaning against the rim and spoke members such that feeding is promoted.

The rim member of the grill member also is configured such that a shallow pan depth is provided for smaller birds while a deep pan depth is provided for larger birds. The shallow and deep pan depths are provided without the need to adjust any portion of the feeder assembly.

The second embodiment of the feeder assembly removes the inner drop tube member and the inner drop tube actuator, and removes the windows from the outer drop tube member such that feed supplied to the feeder assembly is forced to flow through only the lower feed gate.

The third embodiment of the feeder assembly removes the grill member such that only the pan member is provided, with the pan member being configured similar to the rim member of the grill member in the first and second embodiments of the feeder assembly, such that when birds which lean on or against the pan member to eat feed presented therein will not be detrimentally physically effected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

A first embodiment of the feeder assembly100which incorporates features of the invention is shown inFIGS. 1–49with reference numerals being in the one, two, three, four and five hundreds. A second embodiment of the feeder assembly600which incorporates features of the invention is shown inFIGS. 50–57with reference numerals being in the six, seven and eight hundreds. A third embodiment of the feeder assembly900which incorporates features of the invention is shown inFIGS. 58–60with reference numerals being in the nine and ten hundreds.

Structure of the Feeder Assembly100

Attention is invited to the first embodiment of the feeder assembly100which is illustrated inFIGS. 1–49. The illustrated feeder assembly100desirably is adapted to be used in connection with a poultry feeder system that includes a feed supply conduit102. Desirably, the poultry feeder system includes a plurality of feeder assemblies100, which can be vertically adjusted to either rest the ground or be suspended above the ground by raising or lowering the feed supply conduit102or by other suitable means. The feeder assemblies100are preferably utilized to feed all different types of birds including chickens, turkeys and ducks, from a time when the birds are very young until the birds are fully grown. It should be noted that other types of animals could also be fed with the feeder assemblies100of the invention.

The illustrated feeder assembly100generally includes a pan member104, a grill member106, an outer drop tube member108, an inner drop tube member110, and an inner drop tube actuator112.

Attention is now directed to the pan member104, which is best illustrated inFIGS. 6–14.

The pan member104, in a preferred embodiment, is generally circular and includes an upstanding inner portion114, an upstanding outer portion116, and a base portion118which extends from a bottom end of the upstanding inner portion114to a bottom end of the upstanding outer portion116. The upstanding inner portion114, the upstanding outer portion116and the base portion118are preferably integrally formed and, working together, support and present feed that is supplied to the feeder assembly100by the feed supply conduit102. It should be noted that the configuration of the pan member104could be formed in a manner other than circular in order to achieve the objects of the invention. The bottom or outer surface120of the base portion118is capable of resting on a feeding surface of a poultry house, such as a floor or the ground.

The upstanding inner portion114is generally formed of a first portion122, a second portion124and a third portion126. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion122extends downwardly and outwardly to an inner end of the base portion118at an angle A relative to a horizontal line L. The second portion124extends downwardly and outwardly to an end of the first portion122at an angle B relative to the horizontal line L. The third portion126extends downwardly and outwardly from a point128to an end of the second portion124at an angle C relative to the horizontal line L. The upstanding inner portion114is representative of a cone extending upwardly from the base portion118. Angle A is preferably smaller than angles B and C and angle C is preferably smaller than angle B. In a preferred embodiment, angle A is forty-five (45) degrees, angle B is eighty (80) degrees and angle C is fifty (50) degrees.

The upstanding outer portion116is generally formed of a first portion130, a second portion132, a third portion134, and a fourth portion136. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion130extends downwardly and inwardly to an outer end of the base portion118at an angle D relative to the horizontal line L. The second portion132extends vertically downwardly to an end of the first portion130. The third portion134extends horizontally inwardly to an end of the second portion132. The fourth portion136extends vertically downwardly to an end of the third portion134. Angle D is preferably equivalent to angle A and, therefore, in the preferred embodiment, angle D is forty-five (45) degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the fourth portion136extends to a height that is less than a height to which the tipper end of the second portion124of the upstanding inner portion114extends to and, therefore, the fourth portion136is positioned below the third portion126of the upstanding inner portion114.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 6,9–10and13–14, the pan member104preferably further includes a plurality of elongated extensions138protruding from the outer surface120of the fourth portion136of the upstanding outer portion116thereof and extending lengthwise therealong. The extensions138are preferably integrally formed with the pan member104. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of extensions138number six and are separated from their centers by sixty (60) degrees. Each extension138has a recess140provided therein which is capable of receiving a portion of the grill member106, as will be discussed hereinbelow, for locking the grill member106to the pan member104. Each extension138also has a downward vertical portion142at one end thereof which provides a stop to prevent excess rotation during the locking of the grill member106to the pan member104.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 11, the pan member104also preferably includes a hook member144which is typically S-shaped. A first portion146of the hook member144extends horizontally outwardly from the outer surface120of the fourth portion136of the upstanding outer portion116. The first portion146is positioned proximate to and below the end of one of the extensions138. A second portion148of the hook member144extends vertically downwardly from an end of the first portion146of the hook member144to approximately the same position as where the first portion130and the second portion132of the upstanding outer portion116meet. A third portion150of the hook member144extends horizontally outwardly from an end of the second portion148of the hook member144. The hook member144helps to suspend the pan member104from the grill member106for cleaning the feeder assembly100, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 7,9–10and12, the pan member104also preferably includes a plurality of tab members152protruding from the outer surface120of the upstanding outer portion1116. The tab members152are preferably integrally formed with the pan member104. The tab members152protrude from the outer surface120of the first, second and third portions130,132,134of the upstanding outer portion116. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of tab members152number six and are separated from their centers by sixty (60) degrees. Each tab member152is also preferably positioned equidistant from the centers of two of the extensions138. The tab members152assist in the packing of a plurality of the pan members104.

Attention is now directed to the grill member106, which is best illustrated inFIGS. 15–22.

The grill member106includes a rim member154, a plurality of spaced apart spoke members156and a collar member158. Each spoke member156is connected at one end thereof to the rim member154and at an opposite end thereof to the collar member158. The rim member154, the spoke members156and the collar member158are all preferably integrally formed.

The rim member154, in a preferred embodiment, is generally circular, although the configuration of the rim member154could be formed in a manner other than circular in order to achieve the objects of the invention. A side rim portion160of the rim member154has an outer wall162and an inner wall164.

The inner wall164has an inner surface166and an outer surface168. The inner wall164is preferably circular in configuration, but is commensurate in shape to the configuration of the rim member154. The inner wall164extends upwardly from a bottom surface170of the side rim portion160to a top rim portion210of the rim member154, which will be described herein. The bottom surface170of the side rim portion160is preferably planar. The inner surface166of the inner wall164, the top rim portion210, and a reinforcing member240, which will be discussed further herein, form a pocket172therebetween which is capable of accepting the fourth portion136of the upstanding outer portion116of the pan member104for connection of the pan member104to the grill member106, as will be discussed further herein.

The outer wall162of the side rim portion160is formed from a plurality of projections174. In a preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with smaller birds, the plurality of projections174number twelve (12) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a thirty (30) degree angle between the centers of the projections174. In another preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with larger birds, the plurality of projections174number eight (not shown) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a forty-five (45) degree angle between the centers of the projections174.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best illustrated inFIGS. 15–17and20, each projection174has a first concave portion176at one end thereof, a second concave portion178at an opposite end thereof, and a convex portion180between the first and second concave portions176,178. On adjacent projections174, an end of the first concave portion176of one of the adjacent projections174preferably, but not necessarily, meets an end of the second concave portion178of the other one of the adjacent projections174, and also meet at the outer surface168of the inner wall164such that pockets182are formed between each projection174and the outer surface168of the inner wall164. Thus, the outer wall162of the side rim portion160is provided at varying radial distances from a center of the feeder assembly100.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, and as best illustrated inFIGS. 17–19, a lower edge184of the each projection174is positioned in a horizontal plane, along with the bottom surface170of the side rim portion160, while an upper edge186of each projection174is formed of a first concave edge188at one end thereof, a second concave edge190at an opposite end thereof, and a convex edge192between the first and second concave edges188,190, as best illustrated inFIG. 20. On adjacent projections174, an end of the first concave edge188of one of the adjacent projections174preferably, but not necessarily, meets an end of the second concave edge190of the other one of the adjacent projections174. Thus, the upper edge186of the projections174of the side rim portion160is provided at varying vertical distances from the lower edge184of each projection174. The first concave edge188is provided for at the upper edge186of the first concave portion176, the second concave edge190is provided for at the upper edge186of the second concave portion178, and the convex edge192is provided for at the upper edge186of the convex portion180.

The side rim portion160further preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart, elongated reinforcing members194along the inner surface166of the inner wall164, as best illustrated inFIGS. 17,19and21. The reinforcing members194are preferably positioned lengthwise along the inner surface166proximate to the connection to the outer wall162to the inner wall164, namely at the connection of one of the first concave portions176to an adjacent second concave portion178. The reinforcing members194are also preferably situated proximate to, or along, the bottom surface170of the side rim portion160. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcing members194number six (6) and are situated equidistantly from one another by sixty (60) degrees from their centers. Thus, the reinforcing members194are positioned on the inner surface166of the inner wall164proximate to the connection on the outer wall162of every other first and second concave portions176,178.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 21, the side rim member160further preferably includes a tab member196. The tab member196is positioned between one of the first concave portions176and one of the second concave portions178, such that the first and second concave portions176,178do not meet. The tab member196extends vertically downwardly from the upper edge186of the projections174to a position below the bottom surface170of the side rim member160and, thus, below the lower edge184of the projections174. The tab member196is separated from the first concave portion176by a gap198and is separated from the second concave portion178by a gap200. A bottom free end202of the tab member196is preferably rounded. The tab member196is preferably positioned such that it is proximate to one of the reinforcing members194. The reinforcing member194that is situated proximate to the tab member196does not extend over the gaps198,200, but rather extends along the inner surface166of the inner wall164away from both of the gaps198,200and extends along an inner surface204of the tab member196. The tab member196may also have a reinforcing member206extending inwardly from the inner surface204thereof. The tab member196works in conjunction with the extensions138to lock the grill member106into place around the pan member104as will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

The side rim portion160further preferably includes a slot208therethrough, as shown inFIG. 22. The slot208is positioned through one of the first concave portions176, one of the second concave portions178, and through the inner wall164. The slot208is generally L-shaped such that the slot208has a height which is higher at one end thereof than at an opposite end thereof. The slot208at the higher end is positioned equidistantly from the bottom surface170of the side rim portion160as is the slot208at the lower end, but the slot208at the higher end is positioned closer to the upper edge186of the projections174than is the slot208at the lower end. The higher end of the slot208is preferably positioned on the first concave portion176while the lower end of the slot208is preferably positioned on the second concave portion178. The slot208is preferably positioned such that it is situated above one of the reinforcing members194. The slot208works in conjunction with the hook member144to suspend the pan member104from the grill member106for cleaning the feeder assembly100, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The rim member154in a preferred embodiment also has the top rim portion210. The top rim portion210has a top surface212which is defined between an outer edge214and an inner edge216of the top rim portion210. When viewed in a side-elevational view, as inFIG. 20, the top surface212appears to be provided in a series of curved peak portions218and curved valley portions220extending circumferentially around the top rim portion210with the spoke members156being attached to the top surface212of the top rim portion210at the peak portions218proximate to the inner edge216of the top surface212, such that the valley portions220are provided between the attachment of the spoke members156to the rim member154. The peak portions218and valley portions220are formed because, between a pair of adjacent spoke members156, the inner edge216of the top surface212curves circumferentially downwardly from one of the spoke members156to a point which is equidistant between the one spoke member156and the adjacent spoke member156, and then curves circumferentially upwardly to the adjacent spoke member156. Similarly, the peak portions218and the valley portions220are formed because, between a pair of adjacent spoke members156, the outer edge214of the top surface212curves circumferentially downwardly proximate to one of the spoke members156to a point which is equidistant between the one spoke member156and the adjacent spoke member156and then curves circumferentially upwardly proximate to the adjacent spoke member156. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and preferably for use with smaller birds, the top surface212of the top rim portion210has twelve (12) peak portions218and twelve (12) valley portions220, which are alternated around the circumference of the rim member154such that a thirty (30) degree angle is provided between the centers thereof. In another preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with larger birds, the top surface212of the top rim portion210has eight (8) peak portions218and eight (8) valley portions220(not shown), which are alternated around the circumference of the rim member154such that a forty-five (45) degree angle is provided between the centers thereof.

When viewed in cross-sectional side view, as best illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19, the top surface212of the top rim portion210also curves downwardly and outwardly from the inner edge216to the outer edge214.

The outer edge214of the top surface212is curved such that the outer edge214is curved inwardly and downwardly at the valley portions220of the top surface212and curved outwardly and upwardly at the peak portions218of the top surface212.

The rim member154in a preferred embodiment also has a curved rim portion222. As best illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 20, the curved rim portion222curves upwardly and inwardly from the upper edge186of the projections174to the outer edge214of the top rim portion210of the rim member154. The curved rim portion222connects the side rim portion160to the top rim portion210and provides a smooth transition from an outer surface224of the outer wall162of the side rim portion160to a top surface212of the top rim portion210. The curved rim portion222connects the convex upper edges192of the projections174to the outer edges214of the peak portions218of the top rim portion210. The curved rim portion222also connects the first and second concave upper edges188,190of the projections174to the outer edges214of the valley portions220of the top rim portion210.

The purpose of this configuration of the rim member154allows for a front portion of a bird's body to conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly, as will be discussed further herein under the heading “Bird Welfare Features Of Feeder Assembly100”. It should be noted that the configuration of the rim member154could be formed in a manner other than described hereinabove in order to achieve the objects of the invention, such that a front portion of a bird's body can conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100.

Each spoke member156, as explained above, is connected at one end thereof to the rim member154and at an opposite end thereof to the collar member158. In a preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with smaller birds, the plurality of spoke members156number twelve (12) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a thirty (30) degree angle between the centers of the spokes156. In another preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with larger birds, the plurality of spoke members156number eight (8) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a forty-five (45) degree angle between the centers of the spoke members156. As each of the spoke members156are identical to one another, only a single spoke member156will be described herein.

As best illustrated in FIGS.15and17–20, the spoke member156is preferably generally T-shaped in cross-section such that it has first and second legs226,228. The first leg226and the second leg228are perpendicular to one another. The first leg226extends along a middle of the second leg228along an inner surface230thereof such that the first leg226extends inwardly from the second leg228.

A first end232of the spoke member156is connected to the rim member154. More specifically, an end of the second leg228is preferably positioned on and connected to the peak portion218of the top rim portion210, proximate to the inner edge216thereof. A reinforcing member234extends from an outer surface236of the second leg228toward the outer edge214of the peak portion218and connects thereto to provide strength to the spoke member156.

An end portion238of the first leg226extends beyond the end of the second leg228against a reinforcing member240of the rim member154. In a preferred embodiment, each reinforcing member240is connected to the inner edge216of the top rim portion210and extends downwardly from the inner edge216and is curved such that the entire reinforcing member240is equally distanced from the inner wall164. Each reinforcing member240extends circumferentially to connect the first legs226of a pair of adjacent spoke members156together. Each reinforcing member240extends on either side of the pair of adjacent spoke members156and is connected between the first legs226of the pair of adjacent spoke members156. Each reinforcing member240is not connected outside of the first legs226of the pair of adjacent spoke members156. Thus, in the preferred embodiment with twelve (12) spoke members156, the reinforcing members240number six (6) and are spaced equidistantly from one another at an angle of sixty (6) degrees from their centers. In the preferred embodiment with eight (8) spoke members156, the reinforcing members240number four (4) and are spaced equidistantly from one another at an angle of ninety (90) degrees from their centers. The reinforcing members240are preferably positioned alternately with the reinforcing members194, which are positioned along the inner surface166of the inner wall164of the side rim portion160.

A reinforcing member242may be provided within the pocket172. Each reinforcing member242extends downwardly from a bottom surface244of the top rim portion210and extends circumferentially between each reinforcing member240and the inner wall164, but does not extend far enough down to impede the fourth portion136of the upstanding outer portion116of the pan member104from being inserted into the pocket172for connection of the pan member104to the grill member106.

From the peak portions218of the top rim portion210of the rim member154, each of the spoke members156preferably extends inwardly and upwardly. More specifically, and as best illustrated inFIG. 15, each spoke member156has a first, second, third, fourth and fifth portion244,246,248,250,252. From the top rim portion210, the first portion244curves inwardly and upwardly such that the outer surface236of the second leg228is convex. From the first portion244, the second portion246curves inwardly and upwardly such that the outer surface236of the second leg228is concave. From the second portion246, the third portion248extends inwardly and upwardly and is nearly planar with the vertical. From the third portion248, the fourth portion250curves inwardly and upwardly such that the outer surface236of the second leg228is convex. From the fourth portion250, the fifth portion252extends inwardly and upwardly and is nearly planar with the horizontal. The fifth portion252also connects to the collar member158. This structure of the spoke members156prevents larger birds from climbing into the feeder assembly100while feeding therefrom and also allows for a front portion of a bird's body to conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100, as will be discussed further herein under the heading “Bird Welfare Features Of The Feeder Assembly100”. It should be noted that the configuration of the spoke members156could be formed in a manner other than described hereinabove in order to achieve the objects of the invention such that larger birds would not be able to climb into the feeder assembly100and such that a front portion of a bird's body can conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly100, as will be discussed further herein.

The collar member158preferably includes a generally cylindrical portion254and an extension member256extending therefrom. The cylindrical portion254has an aperture258therethrough which defines an aperture wall260. As best illustrated inFIGS. 15-20, the cylindrical portion254is preferably of a uniform inner diameter from a top end262thereof to a bottom end264thereof. The top end262of the cylindrical portion254extends above the fifth portions252of the spoke members156while the bottom end264of the cylindrical portion254extends down to approximately a position at which the third and fourth portions248,250of the spoke members156connect.

The cylindrical portion254has a plurality of grooves266cut into the aperture wall260. The grooves266extend from the top end262of the cylindrical portion254to the bottom end264of the cylindrical portion254. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of grooves266number six (6) and are spaced equidistantly from one another and, thus, are positioned sixty (60) degrees apart from one another. The purpose of the grooves266will be discussed with more detail herein.

The cylindrical portion254has a helical thread268winding inwardly around the aperture wall260. The helical thread268begins at one of the grooves266proximate to the top end262of the cylindrical portion254and winds around the aperture wall260until it returns to the groove266at which it started. The helical thread268ends at a position which is approximately midway between the top end262and the bottom end264of the cylindrical portion254. The helical thread268is cut away at the grooves266such that the helical thread268is only preferably provided along the aperture wall260where the grooves266are not provided. The purpose of the helical thread268will be discussed with more detail herein.

The extension member256curves downwardly and outwardly from the top end262of the cylindrical portion254. The extension member256preferably has a first portion270, a second portion272and a third portion274. The first portion270of the extension member256curves downwardly and outwardly from the top end262of the cylindrical portion254such that a top surface276thereof is convex. The second portion272of the extension member256curves downwardly and outwardly from the first portion270of the extension member256such that a top surface278thereof is concave. The third portion274of the extension member256extends downwardly from the second portion272of the extension member256and is parallel to the cylindrical portion254. The fifth portion252of each of the spoke members156connects to the extension member256with the first leg226being connected to the third portion274and the second leg228being connected to the extension member256at the connection of the second portion272and the third portion274.

The top surface276of the first portion270and the top end262of the cylindrical portion254can also have a plurality of indicators280placed thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the indicators280number six (6) and are positioned equidistantly around the top surface276of the first portion270and the top end262of the cylindrical portion254such that they are spaced sixty (60) degrees apart. The indicators280are preferably alternated with the grooves266and spaced equidistantly therebetween such that each indicator280is positioned thirty (30) degrees apart from the two closest grooves266. The indicators280are preferably numerals, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The purpose of the indicators280will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

Outer Drop Tube Member108

Attention is now directed to the outer drop tube member108, which is best illustrated inFIGS. 23–28.

The outer drop tube member108includes a member282having an aperture284therethrough such that the member282is hollow. The member282preferably has a first portion286, a second portion288, a third portion290, a fourth portion292, a fifth portion294, and a sixth portion296. The first portion286extends upwardly and inwardly from a bottom end298of the member282to a first end of the second portion288such that the member282has an inner diameter proximate to the bottom end298thereof which is larger than an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the second portion288. The second portion288extends inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the third portion290such that the member282has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the third portion290which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the second portion288. The third portion290extends upwardly and inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fourth portion292such that the member282has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fourth portion292which is smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the third portion290. The fourth portion292extends upwardly and inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fifth portion294such that the member282has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fifth portion294which is smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fourth portion292. The fifth portion294extends inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the sixth portion296such that the member282has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the sixth portion296which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fifth portion294. The sixth portion296extends upwardly from the first end thereof to a top end300of the member282, such that the member282has an inner diameter at the top end300thereof which is equivalent to the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the sixth portion296.

The outer drop tube member108further preferably includes a plurality of wing members302extending therefrom. The wing members302are connected to an outer surface304of the member282along the first, second and third portions286,288,290thereof. The wing members302are curved outwardly and downwardly from the outer surface304of the member282such that a bottom end306of the wing members302is positioned below the bottom end298of the member282, thus allowing the aperture284of the member282to be open at the bottom end298thereof. The bottom end306of the wing members302is preferably flat or horizontal. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of wing members302number eight (8) and are positioned equidistantly apart from one another, such that each wing member302is positioned forty-five (45) degrees apart from one another. It should be noted that the outer drop tube member108could be provided without the wing members302if desired.

The outer drop tube member108further includes a plurality of windows or openings308. Each window308is cut out from portions of the second, third and fourth portions288,290,292of the member282. In a preferred embodiment, each window or opening308defines a first edge310, a second edge312, a third edge314, a fourth edge316, a fifth edge318, a sixth edge320, and a seventh edge322, as best illustrated inFIGS. 23 and 48.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 23 and 27, the first edge310extends horizontally along the fourth portion292of the member282proximate to the connection of the fourth portion292to the third portion290. From a first end of the first edge310, the second edge312extends downwardly and to the right to the third edge314in a concave manner. From a first end of the second edge312, the third edge314extends angularly downwardly and to the right to the fourth edge316. From a first end of the third edge314, the fourth edge316extends downwardly and to the right to the fifth edge318in a convex manner. From a first end of the fourth edge316, the fifth edge318extends horizontally and to the left to the sixth edge320. The fifth edge318is parallel to the first edge310and is provided at, or proximate to, the connection of the first portion286to the second portion288. From a first end of the fifth edge318, the sixth edge320extends angularly upwardly and to the left to the seventh edge322. The sixth edge320is preferably parallel to the third edge314. From a first end of the sixth edge320, the seventh edge322extends upwardly and to the left to the first edge310in a concave manner.

In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of windows308number four (4) and are positioned equidistantly from one another, such that like portions of the windows308are positioned ninety (90) degrees from one another. Each window308is positioned such that the fifth edge318is between two adjacent wing members302with the connection between the fourth and fifth edges316,318being proximate to one of the adjacent wind members302, and such that the first and sixth edges310,320are positioned above the other one of the adjacent wing members302. It should be noted that the configurations of the windows308could be formed in a manner other than as described to achieve the objects of the invention.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 25 and 26, the outer drop tube member108preferably includes portions324which extend upwardly and inwardly from the bottom end298of the member282along an inner surface326of the first portion286such that the portions324form a shoulder or ledge328below the fifth edge318of each window308. In a preferred embodiment, the portions324number four (4) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another, such that the portions324are spaced ninety (90) degrees apart from one another. The purpose of the portions324will be discussed further herein.

The outer drop tube member108further preferably includes a helical track which is preferably a pair of helical threads330,332which wind around the outer surface304of the sixth portion296of the member282. The helical threads330,332begin winding proximate to the top end300of the member282to a position approximately lower than the midpoint between the top end300and the connection between the fifth and sixth portions294,296.

The helical threads330,332are spaced apart from one another a distance which is slightly larger than the size of the helical thread268of the collar member158of the grill member106.

As best illustrated in FIGS.23and26–28, the outer drop tube member108further preferably includes at least one retractable portion334. Each retractable portion334is formed on the sixth portion296of the member282approximately at the midpoint between the top end300and the connection between the fifth and sixth portions294,296. The retractable portion334is formed by a pair of notches336,338on either side thereof which extend from a top of the retractable portion334to a bottom of the retractable portion334.

The retractable portion334also has a protrusion340extending outwardly therefrom The protrusion340is capable of extending into the grooves266of the collar member154of the grill member106as will be discussed in more detail herein and, during rotation of the outer drop tube member108relative to the grill member106, allows the retractable portion334to be flexed inwardly when the protrusion340is not extended within one of the grooves266of the collar member154. In the preferred embodiment, the retractable portions334number two (2) and are positioned equidistantly from one another such that they are positioned one-hundred eighty (180) degrees from one another. The helical threads330,332are cut away where they cross the retractable portion(s)334.

The outer drop tube member108further preferably includes a top member342on the member282. The top member342extends perpendicularly inwardly from the top end300of the sixth portion296of the member282. The top member342covers a portion of the aperture284at the top end300of the member282.

The outer drop tube member108further preferably includes an inner cylindrical portion344, as best illustrated inFIGS. 25 and 26. The inner cylindrical portion344extends within the aperture284of the member282downwardly from the top member342of the member282to a position approximately equivalent to where the protrusion340is provided. The inner cylindrical portion344is of a uniform diameter and defines an aperture346therein.

The outer drop tube member108further preferably includes a conduit acceptor member348. The conduit acceptor member348has an aperture350therethrough which is in communication with the aperture346of the inner cylindrical portion344and, thus, the aperture284of the member282. The conduit acceptor member348extends upwardly from the top member342of the member282, but does not cover the entire top member342.

The conduit acceptor member348generally includes a first side member352, a second side member354and an arced intermediate member356. The first and second side members352,354are identical and are distanced from one another a predetermined distance and have circular openings358therethrough. Tops of the first and second side members352,354are also arced in conformance with the circular openings358. The arced intermediate member356is generally an upside down U-shaped piece and generally extends from the top member342between the first and second side members352,354along their respective edges back to the top member342. The feed supply conduit102is capable of extending through the openings358of the first and second side members352,354and of allowing feed to drop therefrom into the aperture350of the conduit acceptor member348.

One side of the arced intermediate member356preferably has an indicator357provided thereon. The indicator357is preferably an arrow which is pointing down toward the top member342of the outer drop tube member108. The purpose for the indicator357will be discussed further herein under the section heading “Adjustable Lower Feed Gate G-1”.

The openings358further have notches360therein at the top thereof to accept a protrusion (not shown) of the feed supply conduit102to prevent the feed assembly100from being moved relative to the feed supply conduit102.

It should be noted that the configuration of the conduit acceptor member348may be formed to fit over various types of feed supply conduits.

In a preferred embodiment, the conduit acceptor member348further includes at least one member362extending upwardly from the arced intermediate member356which is capable of accepting and retaining a roost wire. The member362preferably has reinforcing members364extending from the member362to the arced intermediate member356.

A plurality of reinforcing members366which extend from both the first and second side members352,354to the top member342of the member282are preferably provided. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing members366number four (4) with two (2) of the reinforcing members366extending from the first side member352to the top member342of the member282and two (2) of the reinforcing members366extending from the second side member354to the top member342of the member282.

The top member342further preferably has at least one aperture368therethrough proximate to the conduit acceptor member348. The aperture368defines both inner and outer edges370,372which are curved and assists in the rotation of the inner drop tube member110relative to the outer drop tube member108in a manner and for a purpose which will be described in detail herein. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, only one (1) aperture368is provided in the top member342, but that two (2) apertures368could also be provided if desired.

Inner Drop Tube Member110

Attention is now directed to the inner drop tube member110, as best illustrated inFIGS. 29–33. The inner drop tube member110is sized to fit within the aperture284of the member282of the outer drop tube member108.

The inner drop tube member110preferably includes a member374having an aperture376therethrough such that the inner drop tube member110is hollow. The member374preferably has a first portion378, a second portion380, a third portion382, a fourth portion384, a fifth portion386, and a sixth portion388. The upstanding inner portion114of the pan member104is capable of protruding into the aperture376of the member374with the point128being within the fifth portion386of the member374for reasons discussed herein.

The first portion378of the member374extends angularly upwardly and slightly inwardly from a bottom end390of the member374to a first end of the second portion380such that the member374has an outer diameter proximate to the bottom end390thereof which is larger than an outer diameter thereof proximate to the first end of the second portion380.

From the first portion378, the second portion380extends inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the third portion382such that the member374has an outer diameter proximate to the first end of the third portion382which is smaller than the outer diameter thereof proximate to the first end of the second portion380.

From the second portion380, the third portion382extends upwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fourth portion384such that the member374has an outer diameter proximate to the first end of the fourth portion384which is substantially equivalent to the outer diameter thereof proximate to the first end of the third portion382.

From the third portion382, the fourth portion384extends angularly upwardly and inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fifth portion386such that the member374has an outer diameter proximate to the first end of the fifth portion386which is smaller than the outer diameter thereof proximate to the first end of the fourth portion384.

From the fourth portion384, the fifth portion386extends upwardly from the first end thereof to a top end392of the member374. The fifth portion386extends to a position which is slightly smaller than a height of the top member342when the inner drop tube member110is positioned within the outer drop tube member108. The fifth portion386is parallel with the third portion382.

The sixth portion388extends inwardly from the fifth portion386at the top end392of the member374. A generally circular opening394is provided through the center of the sixth portion288.

The inner drop tube member110further includes a plurality of openings396. The openings396are cut out from portions of the first and second portions378,380of the member374. Each opening396is defined by a top edge398, which is a bottom edge of the third portion382to which the second portion380would connect to the third portion382. Each opening396is further defined by a first side edge400and a second side edge402. The first side edge400extends downwardly from one end of the top edge398along the entire second portion380and along the entire first portion378to the bottom end390of the member374. Similarly, the second side edge402extends downwardly from the other end of the top edge398along the entire second portion380and along the entire first portion378to the bottom end390of the member374. Thus, each opening396is open at the bottom end390of the member374, such that the openings396are not bounded by a bottom edge.

For each opening396provided in the inner drop tube member110, the inner drop tube member110further includes first and second protrusions404,406which extend outwardly from the first portion378of the member374.

The first protrusion404extends outwardly from the first portion378of the member374along the entire length of the first side edge400. The first protrusion404has an inner edge (not shown), an outer edge408, a top edge410, and a bottom edge412. The inner edge of the first protrusion404is positioned along the entire length of the first portion378of the member374along the first side edge400. The top edge410extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge408from a top of the inner edge, which is provided at the connection of the first portion378to the second portion380. The bottom edge412extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge408from a bottom of the inner edge, which is provided at the bottom end390of the member374. The outer edge408, thus, extends from between the top and bottom edges410,412. Thus, the first protrusion404extends below the bottom end390of the member374. The first protrusion404further includes a lip portion414which extends outwardly from the outer edge408of the first protrusion404proximate to the junction of the outer edge408and the bottom edge412.

Similarly, the second protrusion406extends outwardly from the first portion378of the member374along the entire length of the second side edge402. The second protrusion406has an inner edge (not shown), an outer edge416, a top edge418, and a bottom edge420. The inner edge of the second protrusion406is positioned along the entire length of the first portion378of the member374along the second side edge402. The top edge418extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge416from a top of the inner edge, which is provided at the connection of the first portion378to the second portion380. The bottom edge420extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge416from a bottom of the inner edge, which is provided at the bottom end390of the member374. The outer edge416, thus, extends from between the top and bottom edges418,420. Thus, the second protrusion406extends below the bottom end390of the member374. The second protrusion406further includes a lip portion422which extends outwardly from the outer edge416of the second protrusion406proximate to the junction of the outer edge416and the bottom edge420.

The inner drop tube member110further includes a ring member424. The ring member424has an inner surface426, an outer surface428, a top surface430, and a bottom surface432. The ring member424has an inner diameter which is sized such that the lip portions414,422of each of the first and second protrusions404,406provided on the member374are connected to the ring member424at the inner surface426thereof. Thus, the inner drop tube member110provides a plurality of windows434which are defined by the top edge398, the first side edge400, the first protrusion404, the ring member424, the second protrusion406, and the second side edge402. The outer surface428of the ring member424is thus sized to fit within the aperture284of the member282with the bottom surface432of the ring member424capable of resting on the shoulders or ledges328of the member324.

The inner drop tube member110may further include a plurality of third protrusions436which extend outwardly from the first portion378of the member374. Each third protrusion436is provided equidistantly between a first protrusion404along one of the windows434and a second protrusion406along an adjacent one of the windows434. The third protrusion436has an inner edge (not shown), an outer edge438, a top edge440, and a bottom edge442. The inner edge of the third protrusion436is positioned against the first portion378and extends from the bottom end390of the member374approximately one-third of the distance as does the first and second protrusions404,406. The top edge440extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge438from a top of the inner edge. The bottom edge442extends angularly downwardly and outwardly to the outer edge438from a bottom of the inner edge, which is provided at the bottom end390of the member374. The outer edge438, thus, extends from between the top and bottom edges440,442. Thus, the third protrusion436extends below the bottom end390of the member374. The third protrusion436further includes a lip portion444which extends outwardly from the outer edge438of the third protrusion436proximate to the junction of the outer edge438and the bottom edge442. The lip member444is connected to the ring member424at the inner surface thereof. The third protrusion436provides added strength to the inner drop tube member110, especially to the ring member424.

The fourth and fifth portions384,386of the inner drop tube member110further preferably include a plurality of cavities446which extend from within the third portion382toward the top end392of the member374. The cavities446are covered by protrusions448. Each cavity446is in communication with the aperture376of the member374. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of protrusions448number two (2) and are positioned equidistantly from one another such that they are positioned one-hundred eighty (180) degrees from one another. Preferably, the protrusions448extend the entire height of the fifth portion386from the fourth portion384to the top end392of the member374. Each of the portions448are preferably not in vertical alignment with any of the windows434. The protrusions448help to keep the inner drop tube member110centered within the outer drop tube member108, and also creates a gap between the inner drop tube member110and the outer drop tube member108in order to prevent a buildup of feed or dust between the inner drop tube member110and the outer drop tube member108which would hinder rotation of the inner drop tube member110relative to the outer drop tube member108. The cavities446are provided because of the formation of the protrusions448.

The inner drop tube member110further preferably includes a plurality of slots450therethrough. Each slot450is generally vertical and extends through the second portion380of the member374, and cuts through the third portion382and a portion of the fourth portion384. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of slots450number four (4) such that they are separated from one another by ninety (90) degrees. Each slot450is preferably situated between two (2) of the windows434. The slots450allow feed or dust in the gap between the inner and outer drop tube members110,108to fall through the inner drop tube member110and into the pan member104.

The inner drop tube member110further includes an extension member451which extends upwardly from one of the protrusions448which extends to the top end392of the member374. The extension member451is generally a circular cylinder and has an aperture453extending therethrough which defines an aperture wall455. The aperture453is in communication with the cavity446of the one protrusion448.

Inner Drop Tube Actuator112

Attention is now directed to the inner drop tube actuator112, which is best illustrated inFIGS. 1–5and34–42. Three different types of inner drop tube actuators112a,112band112care described herein. Inner drop tube actuator112ais illustrated in FIGS.1and34–37; inner drop tube actuator112bis illustrated inFIGS. 2–5and38–39; and inner drop tube actuator112cis illustrated inFIGS. 40–42. It should be noted that the three inner drop tube actuators112a,112band112care the preferred configurations of the inner drop tube actuator112, with inner drop tube actuator112cbeing the most preferred configuration of the inner drop tube actuator112.

Attention is directed to inner drop tube actuator112aand FIGS.1and34–37. When the inner drop tube actuator112ais moved linearly, the inner drop tube member110is forced to rotate within the outer drop tube member108for reasons which will be discussed further herein. It should further be noted that any means moved linearly to force the inner drop tube member110to rotate is to be considered analogous and/or equivalent to the inner drop tube actuator112a.

Inner drop tube actuator112ais formed to fit over and move along the feed supply conduit102. The inner drop tube actuator112apreferably includes a first end member452, a second end member454, and a pair of middle members456,458connecting the first end member452to the second end member454. As the first and second end members452,454are identical to one another, the structure of the first and second end members452,454will be described in connection with only the first end member452with the understanding that for every item identified in connection with the first end member452, the same will apply to the second end member454. Like reference numerals will be used to describe both the first and second end members452,454.

The first end member452has a top surface460and a bottom surface462. The first end member452further has a first side edge464, a second side edge466, an inner edge468, and an outer edge470. The first end member452is generally an upside down U-shape such that a top portion of the inner and outer edges468,470are convex when viewed in side-elevational view (seeFIG. 35) such that the first end member452can be positioned around the feed supply conduit102. The first end member452also includes a generally circular opening472therethrough at a middle or peak474thereof. A generally circular cylindrical member476having an aperture478therethrough extends upwardly from the middle474. The aperture478of the circular cylindrical member476is in communication with the opening472. A top edge480of the circular cylindrical member476preferably includes a pair of notches482,484which are equidistant from one another with one facing toward the outer edge470and the other facing toward the inner edge468.

The first end member452further includes a pair of reinforcing members486,488. The reinforcing member486extends from the first side edge464of the first end member452along the top surface460thereof, to the circular cylindrical member476, equidistant from both of the notches482,484. The reinforcing member488extends from the second side edge466of the first end member452, along the top surface460thereof, to the circular cylindrical member476, equidistant from both of the notches482,484.

The first middle member456includes a middle portion490and first and second curved end portions492,494. The middle portion490is generally rectangular in configuration. The first curved end portion492connects to both the middle portion490at one end thereof and to a bottom portion of the first end member452along the inner edge468thereof proximate to the first side edge464thereof. The second curved end portion494connects to both the middle portion490at an opposite end thereof and to a bottom portion of the second end member454along the inner edge468thereof proximate to the first side edge464thereof. The curved end portions492,494curve outwardly from the end members452,454.

The first middle member456further includes a portion496which extends outwardly from, and perpendicularly to, a bottom edge498of the middle portion490of the first middle member456.

The first middle member456further includes a pair of spaced apart reinforcing members500,502which are connected to both the portion496and the middle portion490.

The second middle member458includes a middle portion504and first and second curved end portions506,508. The middle portion504is generally rectangular in configuration. The first curved end portion506connects to both the middle portion504at one end thereof and to a bottom portion of the first end member452along the inner edge468thereof proximate to the second side edge466thereof. The second curved end portion508connects to both the middle portion504at an opposite end thereof and to a bottom portion of the second end member454along the inner edge468thereof proximate to the second side edge466thereof. The curved end portions506,508curve outwardly from the end members452,454.

The second middle member458further includes a portion510which extends outwardly from, and perpendicularly to, a bottom edge512of the middle portion504of the second middle member458.

The second middle member458further includes a pair of spaced apart reinforcing members514,516which are connected to both the portion510and the middle portion504.

The middle members456,458are spaced far enough apart from one another such that they do not become impeded by the conduit acceptor member348of the outer drop tube member108when the inner drop tube member112ais moved, as will be described in more detail herein.

The portion496has a generally oval-shaped opening518therethrough for reasons which will be discussed herein. The extension member451of the inner drop tube member110is capable of extending through the oval-shaped opening518. The reinforcing members500,502are preferably positioned on either side of the oval-shaped opening518.

It should be noted that the configuration of the inner drop tube actuator112amaybe formed to fit over and move linearly over various types of feed supply conduits.

Attention is directed to inner drop tube actuator112bandFIGS. 2–5and38–39. When the inner drop tube actuator112bis moved arcuately, the inner drop tube member110is forced to rotate within the outer drop tube member108for reasons which will be discussed further herein. It should further be noted that any means moved arcuately to force the inner drop tube member110to rotate is to be considered analogous and/or equivalent to the inner drop tube actuator112b.

The inner drop tube actuator112bincludes an L-bracket520, a first fastening member522, a second fastening member524, and a nut member526.

The L-bracket520has a first member528and a second member530which are connected to one another and are perpendicular to one another. The first member528has an aperture (not shown) therethrough. The aperture has a diameter which is equivalent to, or approximately equivalent to, a diameter of the aperture453of the extension451of the inner drop tube member110. The second member530has an aperture (not shown) therethrough.

The first fastening member522is preferably a screw having a head portion536and a threaded shank portion538extending therefrom. The head portion536is larger than the diameters of the aperture453of the extension451of the inner drop tube member110and the aperture532of the L-shaped bracket520. The threaded shank portion538is sized to fit within the aperture453and the aperture of the first member528of the L-bracket520such that the threaded shank portion538engages the aperture wall455of the extension451.

The second fastening member524is preferably a screw having a head portion540and a threaded shank portion542extending therefrom. The head portion540has a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the aperture through the second member530of the L-bracket520. The threaded shank portion542is sized to fit through the aperture534of the second member530of the L-bracket520. The threaded shank portion542has a slot544provided therethrough which extends from an end thereof toward the head portion540.

The nut member526is preferably a wing nut which has an aperture546therein defining an aperture wall548. The aperture wall548is preferably threaded. The aperture546is sized such that the threaded shank portion542of the second fastening member524can be inserted therein and engage with the aperture wall548. The aperture546is preferably capped at one end thereof such that an extension member550extends from the end toward the opening of the aperture546between the aperture wall548.

Attention is directed to inner drop tube actuator112candFIGS. 40–42. When the inner drop tube actuator112cis moved arcuately, the inner drop tube member10is forced to rotate within the outer drop tube member108for reasons which will be discussed further herein. It should further be noted that any means moved arcuately to force the inner drop tube member110to rotate is to be considered analogous and/or equivalent to the inner drop tube actuator112c.

The inner drop tube actuator112cincludes a first fastening member552and a nut member554.

The first fastening member552includes a base portion556, a threaded shank portion558, and a snap-in extension560. The base portion556preferably has a first face562and a second face564. The second face564is provided perpendicular to the first face562.

The threaded shank portion558extends outwardly from the first face562of the base portion556. The threaded shank portion558has a slot566provided therethrough which extends from an end thereof toward the first face562of the base portion556.

The snap-in extension560extends outwardly from the second face564of the base portion556such that the snap-in extension560is perpendicular to the threaded shank portion558. At an end of the snap-in extension560opposite of the second face564of the base portion556, the snap-in extension560has a pair of flexible prong members568,570which are separated from one another by a crevice572. Each of the prong members568,570has a protrusion574,576extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom proximate to the end of the snap-in extension560opposite the second face564of the base portion556, such that shoulders578,580are provided on each of the prong members568,570.

The nut member554is preferably a wing nut which has an aperture582therein defining an aperture wall584. The aperture wall584is preferably threaded. The aperture582is sized such that the threaded shank portion558of the first fastening member552can be inserted therein and engage with the aperture wall584. The aperture582is preferably capped at one end thereof such that an extension member586extends from the end toward the opening of the aperture582between the aperture wall584.

The structure and parts of the feeder assembly100as described hereinabove have numerous advantages over feeder assemblies of the prior art which will be discussed in connection with the operation of the feeder assembly100hereinbelow.

Operation of the Feeder Assembly100

Assembly of the Feeder Assembly100

In order to utilize the feeder assembly100, the parts of the feeder assembly100must first be assembled to that as best illustrated inFIGS. 1–5and40.

The inner drop tube member110is positioned within the aperture284of the member282of the outer drop tube member108with the bottom surface432of the ring member424of the inner drop tube member110being positioned on the ledges328of the outer drop tube member108. The fifth portion386of the inner drop tube member110is positioned around the inner cylindrical portion344of the outer drop tube member108.

The conduit acceptor member348of the outer drop tube member108is positioned around the feed supply conduit102with an opening (not shown) in the feed supply conduit102being in communication with the apertures282,346, of the outer drop tube member108.

When the inner drop tube actuator112ais utilized (seeFIG. 1), it is positioned around the feed supply conduit102with the first and second end members452,454being positioned on the feed supply conduit102on either side of the conduit acceptor member348and with the first and second middle members456,458being positioned on either side of the conduit acceptor member348. The extension member451extends through the aperture368of the outer drop tube member108and through the oval-shaped opening518of the inner drop tube actuator112a.

When the inner drop tube actuator112bis utilized (seeFIGS. 2–5), the first member528of the L-bracket520is positioned on top of the extension member451such that the aperture532of the L-bracket520is in communication with the aperture453of the extension member451. The threaded shank portion538of the first fastening member522is then inserted through the aperture532of the L-bracket520and into the aperture453of the extension member451such that the threaded shank portion538engages the aperture wall455of the extension member451. The threaded shank portion538is inserted into the aperture453of the extension member451until the head portion536of the first fastening member522abuts against the first member528of the L-bracket520. Thus, the L-bracket520is secured to the inner drop tube member110. The threaded shank portion542of the second fastening member524is then inserted through the aperture534of the second member530of the L-bracket520until the head portion540abuts against the second member530of the L-bracket520. The nut member526is then threadedly attached to the second fastening member524with the extension member550of the nut member526being positioned within the slot544of the second fastening member524.

When the inner drop tube actuator112cis utilized (seeFIG. 40), the aperture453of the extension member451is provided with a wider diameter portion such that a shoulder588is provided on the wall455of the aperture453. The prong members568,570of the inner drop tube actuator112care flexed inwardly and inserted into the aperture453of the extension member451. The protrusions574,576of the prong members568,570are configured to fit within the wider diameter portion of the aperture453of the extension member451such that the prong members568,570are unflexed and are secured within the aperture453of the extension member451with the shoulders578,580of the prong members568,570being abutted against the shoulder588of the extension member451. The nut member554is then threadedly attached to the threaded shank portion558of the first fastening member552with the extension member586of the nut member554being positioned within the slot566of the threaded shank portion558.

The grill member106is positioned around, and connected to, the outer drop tube member108. The helical thread268of the grill member106is positioned between the helical threads330,332of the outer drop tube member108such that the grill member106can be rotatably moved relative to the outer drop tube member108. The protrusions340on the outer drop tube member108are temporarily locked into position within the grooves266of the grill member106.

The grill member106is connected to the pan member104. The upstanding outer portion116of the pan member104is positioned within the pocket172of the grill member106and is locked to the pan member104by the tab member196of the grill member106being positioned within the recess of one of the extensions138of the pan member104. As there are a plurality of extensions138around the circumference of the pan member104, the tab member196can be positioned within the recess of any one of the extensions138on the pan member104, thus allowing for the easy connection of the grill member106to the pan member104as the grill member106and the pan member104need not be rotated relative to one another by more than sixty (60) degrees, in the preferred embodiment, in order to connect the grill member106to the pan member104.

The upstanding inner portion114of the pan member104extends up into the aperture376of the inner drop tube member110and the aperture284of the outer drop tube member108.

The wing members302of the outer drop tube member108are preferably positioned above the base portion118of the pan member104such that the apertures376,284of the inner and outer drop tube members110,108, respectively, are in communication with the pan member104to define a first or lower gate G-1which is preferably always provided for in the feeder assembly100.

Reduction of Birds Raking Feed within the Feed Assembly100

The positioning of the wing members302which extend over the pan member104helps to reduce the amount of feed presented in the pan member104which the birds are capable of raking as the raking of feed can potentially cause the feed to become contaminated. Thus, because the birds cannot rake feed presented in the pan member104as freely as they could in some pan members of the prior art, the birds cannot rake the feed out of the pan member104onto the feeding surface of the poultry house where the feed will come into contact with waste and dirt, thus contaminating the feed.

Thus, the positioning of the wing members302within or on the pan member104provides a number of advantages and benefits to the overall growth and health of the birds, and to the poultry grower's costs and expenses involved in growing the birds.

Adjustable Upper and Lower Feed Gates

In accordance with the invention, the feeder assembly100can be used to present feed to birds of any size, whether they be young, small, immature birds, or older, larger, more mature birds. When birds are young and small, the birds typically require a generally high feed level in the pan member104so that the birds can find the feed and gain access to the feed. As the birds grow older and larger, the birds are able to find and gain access to the feed from interior portions of the pan member104and can obtain feed from raised pan members104if necessary. Thus, it is very desirable to be able to configure the feed level within the pan member104to any number of different heights, regardless of whether the feeder assemblies100are positioned on the feeding surface or are raised off of the feeding surface.

Adjustable Lower Feed Gate G-1

The height of the lower feed gate G-1can be adjusted, as desired by the poultry grower. The indicators280on the grill member106, when in alignment with the arrow indicator357from the outer drop tube member108, identify the height of the lower feed gate G-1. When the allow indicator357is in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, the poultry grower knows that the smallest height of the lower feed gate G-1is being provided, and that the feeder100is positively locked in this position because the protrusions340are positioned within the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “1”. Conversely, when the arrow indicator357is in alignment with the indicator280numbered “6”, the poultry grower knows that the highest height of the lower feed gate G-1is being provided, and that the feeder100is positively locked in this position because the protrusions340are positioned within the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “6”. The arrow indicator357and the indicators280allow for the easy sight adjustment of the height of the lower feed gate G-1by the poultry grower, as well as also ensure to the poultry grower that the feeder100is positively locked in such a position.

When the lower feed gate G-1is at the smallest height, with the arrow indicator357being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, the wing members302are positioned slightly above the base portion118of the pan member104. When the wing members302are positioned slightly above the base portion118of the pan member104, the helical thread268on the grill member106is meshed between the helical threads330,332on the outer drop tube member108and the protrusions340on the outer drop tube member108are positioned within, and at a bottom of, the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “1”. It should be noted that if the wing members302were not provided on the outer drop tube member108, and if the helical threads280,330,332were configured properly, the lower feed gate G-1could be closed as the bottom end298of the member282could be positioned on the base portion118of the pan member104.

In order for the poultry grower to increase the height of the lower feed gate G-1to provide more feed within the pan member104and to provide a higher feed level within the pan member104, the poultry grower rotates the grill member106relative to the outer drop tube member108, which is rotationally stable, such that the helical thread268of the grill member106rotates downwardly within and between the helical threads330,332of the outer drop tube member108, thus rotating the grill member106downwardly relative to the outer drop tube member108. At the same time, the protrusions340on the outer drop tube member108are capable of being flexed inwardly and out of the grooves266of the grill member106, as it is provided for on a retractable portion334of the outer drop tube member108. As the grill member106is rotated downwardly relative to the outer drop tube member108, the protrusions340will again protract into other grooves266of the grill member106to help retain the outer drop tube member108in the desired position based on the desired height of the lower feed gate G-1.

Thus, the poultry grower can easily adjust the height of the lower feed gate G-1to provide for different levels and amounts of feed to be presented and retained by the pan member104by merely rotating the grill member106relative to the outer drop tube member108, with more feed being presented when the lower feed gate G-1is at a height defined by the arrow indicator357being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “6”, as illustrated inFIG. 43, than at a height defined by the arrow indicator357being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, as illustrated inFIGS. 45 and 47.

The adjustment of the lower feed gate G-1is performed without the lowering of the feeder assembly100to the feeding surface or the raising of the feeder assembly100off of the feeding surface.

It should be noted that the adjustment of the height of the lower feed gate G-1is performed by the poultry grower without the poultry grower having to reach his/her hand into an inner portion of the feeder assembly as is required with prior art feeder assemblies. Rather, the poultry grower need only manipulate an exterior portion of the grill member106in order to change the size of the lower feed gate G-1. Thus, adjustment is facilitated and possible injuries to the poultry grower are eliminated as the poultry grower does not need to reach within the feeder assembly.

Adjustable Upper Feed Gate G-2

With the feeder assembly100, the poultry grower has the option of presenting the feed in the pan member104to the birds anywhere from a high feed level to a low feed level.

The low feed level is presented to the birds in the pan member104when the windows434of the inner drop tube member110are not in alignment with the windows308of the outer drop tube member108. Thus, when the windows308,434are not in alignment with one another, the windows308are sealed off by the first, second and third portions378,380,382of the inner drop tube member110, forcing the feed to flow only through the lower feed gate G-1.

In order to present a higher feed level to the birds in the pan member104, a second or upper feed gate G-2is provided in the feeder assembly100by aligning the windows434of the inner drop tube member110with the windows308of the outer drop tube member108. The upper feed gate G-2is preferably a variable or adjustable feed gate as the feed level presented by the upper feed gate G-2can be transitioned from a high level of feed to a low level of feed, with the low level of feed still being higher than the feed level provided by the lower feed gate G-1. The upper feed gate G-2, however, could be provided such that it is not a variable feed gate by changing the configuration of either of the windows308,434.

Preferably, for the highest feed level to be presented in the pan member104, the inner drop tube member110is rotated within and relative to the outer drop tube member108such that the windows434of the inner drop tube member10are positioned into alignment with an upper portion of the windows308of the outer drop tube member108, proximate to the first, second, third, sixth and seventh edges310,312,314,320,322such that feed flows through the upper feed gate G-2and into the pan member104, as illustrated inFIGS. 43 and 44. The highest feed level will typically be utilized for very young and small birds. The operation of how the inner drop tube member110is rotated within and relative to the outer drop tube member108will be discussed further herein under the heading “Rotation Of Inner Drop Tube Member110”.

In order to lower the feed level from the high feed level, but still provide a feed level that is higher than the feed level provided by the lower feed gate G-1, the inner drop tube member110is again rotated within and relative to the outer drop tube member108such that the windows434of the inner drop tube member110are positioned into alignment with a lower portion of the windows308of the outer drop tube member108, proximate to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth edges314,316,318,320such that feed flows through the upper feed gate G-2and into the pan member104, as illustrated inFIGS. 45 and 46.

By lowering the feed level even further, the inner drop tube member110is again preferably rotated within and relative to the outer drop tube member108such that the windows308of the outer drop tube member108are not in alignment with the windows434of the inner drop tube member110, thus forcing the feed to flow through the lower feed gate G-1and into the pan member104, as illustrated inFIGS. 47 and 48. This level would typically be utilized as the birds grow older and larger. Thus, the upper feed gate G-2is preferably closed from the top down, although the rotation of the inner drop tube member110relative to the outer drop tube member108could be caused to close the upper feed gate G-2from the bottom up.

No matter what position the upper feed gate G-2is positioned in, i.e., allowing feed to flow therethrough or not allowing feed to flow therethrough, feed will always flow through the lower feed gate G-1in the preferred embodiment. Of course, as the inner drop tube member110can be selectively adjusted to precisely position the amount and location of feed in the pan member104in a plurality of different positions, other than those heretofore discussed and which are merely representative positions for discussion and illustration purposes, relative to the outer drop tube member108, the upper feed gate G-2can thus, likewise, have a plurality of different positions such that the upper feed gate G-2is, in essence, a variable feed gate such that the poultry grower can provide a smooth transition of feed from a high feed level to a low feed level. Of course, more positions of the inner drop tube member110relative to the outer drop tube member108can also be provided by changing the shape or configuration of the windows308,434to provide different feed levels in the pan member104.

It should be noted that the configuration of the windows308of the outer drop tube member106could be provided for on the inner drop tube member108, in place of the windows434thereof, while the windows434of the inner drop tube member108could be provided for on the outer drop tube member106, in place of the windows308thereof, if desired, as the same function would be performed and the same result achieved as the described preferred embodiment.

Thus, the adjustable upper and lower feed gates G-2, G-1provide numerous advantages and benefits over feeder assemblies of the prior art. For instance, the windows308of the outer drop tube member108allow poultry growers to utilize a smooth transition from a high feed level, where feed flows through the variable upper feed gate G-2and the lower feed gate G-1, to a low feed level, where feed flows only through the lower feed gate G-1. Prior art feeder assemblies having upper feed gates did not have practical means to allow for the poultry grower to make a smooth transition from a high feed level to a low feed level in accordance with the size and age of the birds. Contrarily, prior art feed assemblies, as a practical matter, only allowed for either a high feed level or a low feed level by vertically moving parts of the feeder assemblies to either open or close the upper feed gate.

The upper feed gate G-2can also be utilized regardless of whether the feeder assembly100is raised off of, or lowered to, the feeding surface. Contrarily, prior art feeder assemblies typically activated the upper feed gate by removing the feeder assembly from the feeding surface. This feature of the feeder assembly100allows for a number of different management styles to be utilized by the poultry growers depending on their preferences. For instance, in some parts of the world, poultry growers typically prefer to raise feeder assemblies off of the feeding surface prior to the closing of the upper feed gates. In contrast, in the United States of America, poultry growers typically prefer to close the upper feed gates prior to the raising of the feeder assemblies off of the feeding surface. In any event, the poultry grower has numerous possibilities and configurations of how to present the feed to the birds, regardless of the size or age of the birds, with the upper feed gate G-2being variable and adjustable, the lower feed gate G-1being adjustable, and the feeder assembly100capable of being raised off of the feeding surface, all of which function independently of the other.

The poultry grower could also open the upper feed gate G-2to any desired position, when it would normally be closed, in order to stimulate the eating of the feed by older birds, as it would give them a short term high feed level.

Also, in the preferred embodiment, by providing the feeder assembly100with a lower gate G-1which is always open, feed is always allowed to flow through the feed supply conduit102, into the apertures346,350of the outer drop tube member108, into the aperture376of the inner drop tube member110, and through the lower feed gate G-1to the pan member104. Prior art feeder assemblies that utilized both upper and lower feed gates typically only allowed the feed to flow through one of the gates.

Cone of Pan Member104

The upstanding cone or inner portion104of the pan member104extends higher from the base portion118of the pan member104than do cones of many prior art pan members. The cone114of the pan member104preferably extends to a height that is higher than the height of the windows308,434of the outer and inner drop tube members108,110in order to promote a high level of feed out of the upper feed gates G-2as the feed will cascade downwardly and outwardly toward the upper feed gates G-2after it comes into contact with the cone114of the pan member104, as best illustrated inFIGS. 43,45and47.

Rotation of Inner Drop Tube Member110

As explained hereinabove, three different types of inner drop tube actuators112a,112b,112ccan be used to rotate the inner drop tube member110.

With regard to inner drop tube actuator112a, and as explained hereinabove, the extension member451of the inner drop tube member110extends through the aperture362of the outer drop tube member108and through the oval-shaped opening518of the inner drop tube actuator112a. The inner drop tube actuator112ais also capable of being linearly moved along the length of the feed supply conduit102, but linear movement of the inner drop tube actuator112aalong the feed supply conduit102is limited by the conduit acceptor member348of the outer drop tube member108, as best illustrated inFIG. 1.

In order to actuate the rotation of the inner drop tube member110to adjust or vary the position of the upper feed gate G-2, as described hereinabove, the poultry grower moves the inner drop tube actuator112alinearly along the length of the feed supply conduit102. Linear movement of the inner drop tube actuator112aforces movement of the extension member451of the inner drop tube member110within the aperture362of the outer drop tube member108. As the aperture362of the outer drop tube member108is arcuate, the extension member451rotates around the aperture362of the outer drop tube member108, thus, forcing the remainder of the inner drop tube member110to rotate. The rotation of the inner drop tube member110provides for the adjustment or varying of the position of the upper feed gate G-2by forcing the windows434of the inner drop tube member110to be in or out of alignment with the windows308of the outer drop tube member108.

The actuation of the inner drop tube member110to control the positioning of the windows434relative to the windows308of the outer drop tube member108can be done in a number of manners. In a first manner, a poultry grower can string cables from the circular cylindrical members476of the first and second end members452,454of the inner drop tube actuator112a. The cables can then be moved to different positions to force the inner drop tube actuator112ato be linearly moved to different positions to force the inner drop tube actuator112ato be linearly moved along the feed supply conduit102, thus rotating the inner drop tube member110. Such an operation would be preferably used mainly in connection with the movement of a single feeder assembly100. In a second manner a lever can be connected to the inner drop tube actuator112ato actuate the inner drop tube member100. Such an operation would be preferably used mainly in connection with the movement of either a partial or total system of feeder assemblies100. In a third manner, the inner drop tube actuator112acan be connected to an electronics module that would be preprogrammed to linearly move the inner drop tube actuator112aalong the feed supply conduit102in a desired manner. Such an operation would be preferably used mainly in connection with the movement of an entire system of feeder assemblies100.

As explained hereinabove, any means which can translate the linear movement thereof into the rotation movement of the inner drop tube member110is to be considered analogous and/or equivalent to the inner drop tube actuator112a, including elimination of an actuator member and using one's hand instead.

With regard to the inner drop tube actuator112b, and as explained hereinabove, the first fastening member522secures the L-bracket520to the extension member451of the inner drop tube member110. Thus, in order to actuate the rotation of the inner drop tube member110to adjust or vary the position of the upper feed gate G-2, as described hereinabove, the poultry grower moves the inner drop tube actuator112b.

The actuation of the inner drop tube member110to control the positioning of the windows434relative to the windows308of the outer drop tube member108is preferably done by the poultry grower stringing cables through the slots544of the second fastening member524, inserting the threaded shank portion542of the second fastening member524through the aperture534of the second member530of the L-bracket520, and then securing the nut member526over the threaded shank portion542of the second fastening member524. By securing the nut member526over the threaded shank portion542of the second fastening member524, the extension member550contacts the cable strung through the slot544and secures it within the slot544. The cables can then be moved to different positions to force the inner drop tube actuator112bto be moved to different positions, thus rotating the inner drop tube member110. Of course, it is to be understood that other similar constructions of the inner drop tube actuator112bcould also be utilized to rotate the inner drop tube member110.

With regard to inner drop tube actuator112c, and as explained hereinbelow, the prong members568,570secure the fastening member552to the extension member451of the inner drop tube member110. Thus, in order to actuate the rotation of the inner drop tube member110to adjust or vary the position of the upper feed gate G-2, as described hereinabove, the poultry grower moves the inner drop tube actuator112c.

The actuation of the inner drop tube member110to control the positioning of the windows434relative to the windows308of the outer drop tube member108is preferably done by the poultry grower stringing cables through the slots566of the threaded shank portions558of the fastening members552, and then securing the nut member554over the threaded shank portion558. By securing the nut member554over the threaded shank portion558, the extension member586contacts the cable strung through the slot566and secures it within the slot566. The cables can then be moved to different positions to force the inner drop tube actuator112cto be moved to different positions, thus rotating the inner drop tube member110. Of course, it is to be understood that other similar constructions of the inner drop tube actuator112ccould also be utilized to rotate th4e inner drop tube member110.

Bird Welfare Features of the Feeder Assembly100

The structure of the feeder assembly100also provides for the overall welfare of the birds as they are feeding from the feeder assembly100by reducing detrimental physical effects to the birds caused by the birds feeding from the feeder assembly100and, thus, provides for a reduction of bird condemnation.

In the growing of birds, poultry growers typically try to grow birds which have large, healthy breasts as birds with large, healthy breasts will be the most commercially valuable to the poultry grower. As the birds are grown to have large breasts, the birds generally become front-heavy such that when the birds are eating from feeder assemblies, the birds tend to rest the front sides of their bodies, namely their breasts, on or against the pan or grill members, depending on the configuration of the feeder assemblies, to reduce the amount of weight that the birds must support while they eat. It should be noted that some birds are not raised for the purpose of large breasts because of the cut-up market, but it is still invaluable to have birds with healthy bodies.

Problems, however, can occur when the birds rest the front sides of their bodies on or against the pan or grill members. In particular, when the front sides of the birds rub against the pan or grill members, the front sides of the birds may become detrimentally physically effected, for instance, bruised. The detrimental physical effects to the birds' front sides can potentially cause health problems for the birds and can potentially cause the birds to eat less than the poultry grower would desire as the birds would become uncomfortable resting their front sides on or against the pan or grill members. The detrimental physical effects on the birds' front sides can also cause bird condemnation because after the removal of the birds' feathers, visual inspection of the birds' front sides can detect the detrimental physical effects thereon and, for instance, the effect on the color of the meat which is known to be a healthy color, thus possibly reducing the quality of grade given to the birds. Obviously, the lower quality of grade that is given to the birds, the less commercially valuable the birds become to the poultry grower. The feeder assembly100helps to prevent the foregoing by the configuration of the grill member106on both the rim member154and the plurality of spoke members156.

As best illustrated inFIG. 49, the side rim portion160, the curved rim portion222and the top rim portion210of the rim member154help to prevent the detrimental physical effects of the birds' front sides by allowing the breasts of the birds to conform thereto. The side rim portion160has the plurality of projections174with the first concave portion176of one of the projections174connecting to the second concave portion178of an adjacent projection174to allow the birds' front sides to conform thereagainst when the birds eat feed from the pan member104. The top rim portion210has the peak and valley portions218,220to allow the birds' front sides to conform to the valley portions220when the birds eat feed from the pan member104. The curved rim portion222allows for a smooth transition from the side rim portion160to the top rim portion210to allow the birds' front sides to conform thereon. In other words, the front sides of birds will more easily conform on or against the grill member106of the present invention than those of the prior art because the prior art feeder assemblies generally do not have smooth transitions and do not provide areas to which the birds' front sides to conform. Contrarily, prior art feeder assemblies typically provide for the exact opposite, having areas which would project into the front sides of the birds as they rest against the feeder assemblies and, therefore, do not allow the birds' front sides to conform thereto, thus possibly causing detrimental physical effects to the birds' front sides which can lead to health problems for the birds and can potentially cause the birds to eat less than the poultry grower would desire as the birds would become uncomfortable resting their front sides on or against the pan or grill members.

As best illustrated inFIG. 49, the spoke members156help to further prevent the detrimental physical effects on the birds' front sides by being set back on the top rim portion210of the rim member154from the side rim portion160of the rim member154, proximate to the inner edge216of the top rim portion210. As the spoke members156are set back, the birds' front sides can more easily rest on the top rim portion210of the rim member156. The convexity of the first portion244of the spoke members156and the concavity of the second portion246of the spoke members156further allow for the birds' front sides to easily conform thereto.

Thus, the configuration of the grill member106helps assist in the overall health and comfort of the birds, as the grill member106is designed to be comfortable to the birds which leads to the birds staying longer at the feeder assembly100and, consequently, eating more feed.

Shallow/Deep Pan Depth

It is an advantage that the feeder assembly100has both the capabilities of a shallow pan depth for young birds to have access to the feed in the pan member104, and a deep pan depth for older birds to feed from the pan member104.

The shallow and deep pan depths are provided by the rim member154of the grill member106when the feeder assembly100is positioned on the feeding surface. As best illustrated inFIGS. 1–5, the valley portions220of the top rim portion210of the rim member154provide for the shallow pan depth, which is typically about two and a half (2.5) inches from the base portion118of the pan member104. Young birds can see over the valley portions220of the top rim portion210to see the feed and be attracted thereto. The young birds can also climb into the pan member104at the valley portions220of the top rim portion210of the rim member154such that the young birds so that they can eat the feed provided within the pan member104. It has been found that a pan depth of two and a half (2.5) inches is the optimal pan depth for feeding young birds. As best illustrated inFIGS. 1–5and49, the peak portions218of the top rim portion210of the rim member154provides for the deep pan depth, which is typically about three (3) inches from the base portion118of the pan member104. It has been found that a pan depth of three (3) inches is the optimal pan depth for feeding larger birds because this depth helps to prevent the larger birds from raking the feed presented in the pan member104, or building high feed levels within the pan member104, such that the amount of wasted or contaminated feed is minimized. It has been found that ¾″ is the optimal fed level for larger birds. Thus, the peak portions218of the top rim portion210force provide such a benefit when the feeder assembly100is utilized to feed larger birds.

Thus, the feeder assembly100provides for the functionality of both a shallow pan depth feeder assembly necessary for younger birds and for a deep pan depth feeder assembly which is desirable for older birds such that the poultry grower need not have two sets of feeder assemblies, one with a shallow pan depth and one with a deep pan depth. The shallow/deep pan depths also require no work of any kind by the poultry grower or vertical movement of the feeder assembly100to be effected. The pan depths are naturally provided by use of the feeder assembly100, with only the size of the bird defining which pan depth the birds utilize.

Prevention of Material Buildup in the Feeder Assembly100

The inner drop tube member110preferably includes the apertures450to allow dust, feed or other material to flow therethrough to prevent the buildup of excess material in the feeder assembly100which could potentially cause problems to the feeder assembly100.

Wide Eating Area

The base portion118of the pan member104is wider than those generally provided in prior art feeder assemblies. The wider base portion118of the pan member104provides smaller birds with more room to eat, i.e., access to the feed presented in the pan member104. The wider base portion118of the pan member104also provides a visually larger feed area to the birds which encourages the birds to eat the feed from the pan member104.

Cleaning of the Feeder Assembly100

The feeder assembly100can be easily cleaned by the poultry grower. Prior to the cleaning of the feeder assembly100, the poultry grower can rotate the pan member104and the grill member106relative to one another such that the tab member196of the grill member106is not positioned within the recess of one of the extensions138of the pan member104. The hook member144on the pan member104is then positioned within the slot208of the grill member106to suspend the pan member104from the grill member106. Thus, once the pan member104is suspended from the grill member106, the poultry grower can commence cleaning of the feeder assembly100as the suspending of the pan member104from the grill member106allows the poultry grower to easily access all pails of the feeder assembly100.

The inner drop tube member110can also, for instance, be removed from within the outer drop tube member108by pushing in the ring member424of the inner drop tube member110such that the ring member424no longer rests on the ledges328of the portions324of the member282of the outer drop tube member108, allowing the inner drop tube member110to be removed from the outer drop tube member108. The inner drop tube member110can later be reinserted within the outer drop tube member108as the ring member424will flex inwardly until the inner drop tube member110can rest on the ledges328. Thus, the ledges328of the portions324are capable of holding the inner drop tube member110within the outer drop tube member108.

Structure of the Feeder Assembly600

Attention is invited to the second embodiment of the feeder assembly600which is shown inFIGS. 50–57. The feeder assembly600differs from the feeder assembly100in that the feeder assembly600is not provided with an inner drop tube member, an inner drop tube actuator, or windows on the outer drop tube member. The illustrated feeder assembly600desirably is adapted to be used in connection with a poultry feeder system that includes a feed supply conduit102. Desirably, the feeder system includes a plurality of feeder assemblies600, which can be vertically adjusted to either rest on the ground or be suspended above the ground by raising or lowering the feed supply conduit102or by other suitable means. The feeder assemblies600are preferably utilized to feed all different types of birds, including chickens, turkeys and ducks, from a time when the birds are very young until the birds are fully grown. It should be noted that other types of animals could also be fed with the feeder assemblies600of the invention.

It should be noted that the elements of the reference numerals of the feeder assembly600are similar to like elements of the reference numerals of the feeder assembly100, with elements having reference numerals in the six hundreds being similar to the elements having reference numerals in the one hundreds, elements having reference numerals in the seven hundreds being similar to the elements having reference numerals in the two hundreds, and elements having reference numerals in the eight hundreds being similar to the elements having reference numerals in the three hundreds.

The illustrated feeder assembly600generally includes a pan member104, a grill member106, and a drop tube member608.

The pan member104of the second embodiment is identical to the pan member104provided for in the first embodiment and, therefore, the details and advantages of the pan member104of the second embodiment will not be discussed herein. Likewise, the grill member106of the second embodiment is identical to the grill member106provided for in the first embodiment and, therefore, the details and advantages of the grill member106of the second embodiment will not be discussed herein. Thus, only the differences in structure and function between the first and second embodiments will be discussed herein.

Drop Tube Member608

Attention is now directed to the drop tube member608, which is best illustrated inFIGS. 51–56.

The drop tube member608includes a member782having an aperture784therethrough such that the member782is hollow. The member782preferably has a first portion786, a second portion788, a third portion790, a fourth portion792, a fifth portion794, and a sixth portion796. The first portion786extends upwardly and inwardly from a bottom end798of the member782to a first end of the second portion788such that the member782has an inner diameter proximate to the bottom end796thereof which is larger than an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the second portion788. The second portion788extends inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the third portion790such that the member782has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the third portion790which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the second portion788. The third portion790extends upwardly and inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fourth portion792such that the member782has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fourth portion792which is smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the third portion790. The fourth portion792extends upwardly and inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the fifth portion794such that the member782has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fifth portion794which is smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fourth portion792. The fifth portion794extends inwardly from the first end thereof to a first end of the sixth portion796such that the member782has an inner diameter proximate to the first end of the sixth portion796which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the fifth portion794. The sixth portion796extends upwardly from the first end thereof to a top end800of the member782, such that the member782has an inner diameter at the top end800thereof which is equivalent to the inner diameter proximate to the first end of the sixth portion796.

The drop tube member608further preferably includes a plurality of wing members802extending therefrom. The wing members802are connected to an outer surface804of the member782along the first, second and third portions786,788,790thereof. The wing members802are curved outwardly and downwardly from the outer surface804of the member782such that a bottom end806of the wing members802is positioned below the bottom end798of the member782, thus allowing the aperture784of the member782to be open at the bottom end798thereof. The bottom end806of the wing members802is preferably flat or horizontal. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of wing members802number eight (8) and are positioned equidistantly apart from one another, such that each wing member802is positioned forty-five (45) degrees apart from one another. It should be noted that the drop tube member608could be provided without the wing members802if desired.

The drop tube member608further preferably includes a helical track which is preferably a pair of helical threads830,832which wind around the outer surface804of the sixth portion796of the member782. The helical threads830,832begin winding proximate to the top end800of the member782to a position approximately lower than the midpoint between the top end800and the connection between the fifth and sixth portions794,796. The helical threads830,832are spaced apart from one another a distance which is slightly larger than the size of the helical thread768of the collar member158of the grill member106.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 51–52and54–56, the drop tube member608further preferably includes at least one retractable portion834. Each retractable portion834is formed on the sixth portion796of the member782approximately at the midpoint between the top end800and the connection between the fifth and sixth portions794,796. The retractable portion834is formed by a pair of notches836,838on either side thereof which extend from a top of the retractable portion834to a bottom of the retractable portion834.

The retractable portion834also has a protrusion840extending outwardly therefrom. The protrusion840is capable of extending into the grooves266of the collar member158of the grill member106as will be discussed in more detail herein and, during rotation of the drop tube member608relative to the grill member106, allows the retractable portion834to be flexed inwardly when the protrusion840is not extended within one of the grooves266of the collar member158. In the preferred embodiment, the retractable portions834number two (2) and are positioned equidistantly from one another such that they are positioned one-hundred eighty (180) degrees from one another. The helical threads830,832are cut away where they cross the retractable portion(s)834.

The drop tube member608further preferably includes a top member842on the member782. The top member842extends perpendicularly inwardly from the top end800of the sixth portion796of the member782. The top member842covers a portion of the aperture784at the top end800of the member782.

The drop tube member608further preferably includes an inner cylindrical portion844, as best illustrated inFIGS. 53 and 54. The inner cylindrical portion844extends within the aperture784of the member782downwardly from the top member842of the member782to a position approximately equivalent to where the protrusion840is provided. The inner cylindrical portion844is of a uniform diameter and defines an aperture846therein.

The drop tube member608further preferably includes a conduit acceptor member848. The conduit acceptor member848has an aperture850therethrough which is in communication with the aperture846of the inner cylindrical portion844and, thus, the aperture784of the member782. The conduit acceptor member848extends upwardly from the top member842of the member782, but does not cover the entire top member842.

The conduit acceptor member848generally includes a first side member852, a second side member854and an arced intermediate member856. The first and second side members852,854are identical and are distanced from one another a predetermined distance and have circular openings858therethrough. Tops of the first and second side members852,854are also arced in conformance with the circular openings858. The arced intermediate member856is generally an upside down U-shaped piece and generally extends from the top member842between the first and second side members852,854along their respective edges back to the top member842. The feed supply conduit102is capable of extending through the openings858of the first and second side members852,854and of allowing feed to drop therefrom into the aperture850of the conduit acceptor member848.

One side of the arced intermediate member856preferably has an indicator857provided thereon. The indicator857is preferably an arrow which is pointing down toward the top member842of the outer drop tube member608. The purpose for the indicator857will be discussed further herein under the section heading “Adjustable Feed Gate G-1”.

The openings858further have notches860therein at the top thereof to accept a protrusion (not shown) of the feed supply conduit102to prevent the feed assembly600from being moved relative to the feed supply conduit102.

It should be noted that the configuration of the conduit acceptor member848may be formed to fit over various types of feed supply conduits.

In a preferred embodiment, the conduit acceptor member848further includes at least one member862extending upwardly from the arced intermediate member856which is capable of accepting and retaining a roost wire. The member862preferably has reinforcing members864extending from the member862to the arced intermediate member856.

A plurality of reinforcing members866which extend from both the first and second side members852,854to the top member842of the member782are preferably provided. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing members866number four (4) with two (2) of the reinforcing members866extending from the first side member852to the top member842of the member782and two (2) of the reinforcing members866extending from the second side member854to the top member842of the member782.

Operation of the Feeder Assembly600

Assembly of the Feeder Assembly600

In order to utilize the feeder assembly600, the parts of the feeder assembly600must be assembled to that as best illustrated inFIG. 50.

The conduit acceptor member848of the drop tube member608is positioned around the feed supply conduit102with an opening in the feed supply conduit102being in communication with the apertures782,846,850of the drop tube member608.

The grill member106is positioned around and connected to the drop tube member608. The helical thread268of the grill member106is positioned between the helical threads830,832of the drop tube member608such that the grill member106can be rotatably moved relative to the drop tube member608. The protrusions840on the drop tube member608are temporarily locked into position with the grooves266of the grill member106.

The grill member106is connected to the pan member104. The upstanding outer portion116of the pan member104is positioned within the pocket162of the grill member106and is locked to the pan member104by the tab member196of the grill member106being positioned within the recess140of one of the extensions138of the pan member104. As there are a plurality of extensions138around the circumference of the pan member104, the tab member196can be positioned within the recess140of any one of the extensions138on the pan member104, thus allowing for the easy connection of the grill member106to the pan member104as the grill member106and the pan member104need not be rotated relative to one another by more than sixty (60) degrees, in the preferred embodiment, in order to connect the grill member106to the pan member104.

The upstanding inner portion114of the pan member104extends up into the aperture784of the drop tube member608.

The wing members802of the drop tube member608are positioned above the base portion118of the pan member104such that the aperture784of the drop tube member608is in communication with the pan member104to define a gate G-1.

Reduction of Birds Raking Feed within the Feed Assembly600

The positioning of the wing members802which extend over the pan member104helps to reduce the amount of feed presented in the pan member104which the birds are capable of raking as the raking of feed can potentially cause the feed to become contaminated. Thus, because the birds cannot rake feed presented in the pan member104as freely as they could in some pan members of the prior art, the birds cannot rake the feed out of the pan member104onto the feeding surface of the poultry house where the feed will come into contact with waste and dirt, thus contaminating the feed.

Thus, the positioning of the wing members802within or on the pan member104provides a number of advantages and benefits to the overall growth and health of the birds, and to the poultry grower's costs and expenses involved in growing the birds.

Adjustable Feed Gate G-1

The height of the feed gate G-1can be adjusted, as desired by the poultry grower. The indicators280on the grill member106, when in alignment with the arrow indicator857from the outer drop tube member608, identify the height of the feed gate G-1. When the arrow indicator857is in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, the poultry grower knows that the smallest height of the feed gate G-1is being provided, and that the feeder600is positively locked in this position because the protrusions840are positioned within the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “1”. Conversely, when the arrow indicator857is in alignment with the indicator280numbered “6”, the poultry grower knows that the highest height of the feed gate G-1is being provided, and that the feeder600is positively locked in this position because the protrusions840are positioned within the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “6”. The arrow indicator857and the indicators280allow for the easy sight adjustment of the height of the feed gate G-1by the poultry grower, as well as also ensure to the poultry grower that the feeder600is positively locked in such a position.

When the feed gate G-1is at the smallest height, with the arrow indicator857being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, the wing members802are positioned slightly above the base portion118of the pan member104. When the wing members802are positioned slightly above the base portion118of the pan member104, the helical thread268on the grill member106is meshed between the helical threads830,832on the drop tube member608and the protrusions840on the drop tube member608are positioned within, and at a bottom of, the grooves266of the grill member106which are provided at a 90 degree angle from the indicator280numbered “1”. It should be noted that if the wing members802were not provided on the drop tube member608, and if the helical threads268,830,832were configured properly, the feed gate G-1could be closed as the bottom end798of the member782could be positioned on the base portion118of the pan member104.

In order for the poultry grower to increase the height of the feed gate G-1to provide more feed within the pan member104and to provide a higher feed level within the pan member104, the poultry grower rotates the grill member106relative to the drop tube member608, which is rotatably stable, such that the helical thread268of the grill member106rotates downwardly within and between the helical threads830,832of the drop tube member608, thus rotating the grill member106downwardly relative to the drop tube member608. At the same time, the protrusions840on the drop tube member608are capable of being flexed inwardly and out of the grooves266of the grill member106, as they are provided for on retractable portions834of the drop tube member608. As the grill member106is rotated downwardly relative to the drop tube member608, the protrusions834will again protract into other grooves266of the grill member106in the desired position based on the desired height of the feed gate G-1.

Thus, the poultry grower can easily adjust the height of the feed gate G-1to provide for different levels and amounts of feed to be presented and retained by the pan member104by merely rotating the grill member106relative to the drop tube member608, with more feed being presented when the feed gate G-1is at a height defined by the arrow indicator857being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “6”, than at a height defined by the arrow indicator857being in alignment with the indicator280numbered “1”, as best illustrated inFIG. 57.

The adjustment of the feed gate G-1is performed without the lowering of the feeder assembly600to the feeding surface or the raising of the feeder assembly600off of the feeding surface.

It should be noted that the adjustment of the height of the feed gate G-1is performed by the poultry grower without the poultry grower having to reach his/her hand into an inner portion of the feeder assembly as is required with prior art feeder assemblies. Rather, the poultry grower need only manipulate an exterior portion of the grill member106in order to change the size of the feed gate G-1. Thus, adjustment is facilitated and possible injuries to the poultry grower are eliminated as the poultry grower does not need to reach within the feeder assembly.

Structure of the Feeder Assembly900

Attention is invited to the third embodiment of the feeder assembly900which is illustrated inFIGS. 58–60. The illustrated feeder assembly900desirably is adapted to be used in connection with a poultry feeder system that includes a feed supply conduit102, and which does not utilize a grill member, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,026. Desirably, the poultry feeder system includes a plurality of feeder assemblies900, which can be vertically adjusted to either rest on the ground or be suspended above the ground by raising or lower the feed supply conduit102or by other suitable means. The feeder assemblies900are preferably utilized to feed all different types of birds including chickens, turkeys and ducks, from a time when the birds are very young until the birds are fully grown. It should be noted that other types of animals could also be fed with the feeder assemblies900of the invention.

It should be noted that the elements of the reference numerals of the feeder assembly900are similar to like elements of the reference numerals of the feeder assembly100, with elements having reference numerals in the nine hundreds being similar to the elements having reference numerals in the one hundreds and elements having reference numerals in the ten hundreds being similar to the elements having reference numerals in the two hundreds.

The illustrated feeder assembly900generally includes a pan member904and a drop tube assembly907. The drop tube assembly907of the feeder assembly900will not be discussed, however, as it is not considered to be germane to the invention of the third embodiment of the invention as a drop tube assembly of the type disclosed herein with regard to the first and second embodiments, or a drop tube assembly of the type disclosed in prior art patents, could be utilized and still achieve the objects of the invention. The pan member904of the third embodiment is configured to have parts similar to both the pan member104and the grill member106, as the feeder assembly900does not have a grill member.

Attention is now directed to the pan member904. The pan member904has at least an upstanding outer portion916and a base portion918which are integrally formed. An outer surface920of the pan member904at the base portion918is capable of resting on a feeding surface of a poultry house, such as a floor or the ground.

The upstanding outer portion916preferably has a rim member954thereon at a top thereof. The rim member954, in a preferred embodiment, is generally circular, although the configuration of the rim member954could be formed in a manner other than circular in order to achieve the objects of the invention. A side rim portion960of the rim member954has an outer surface968, and is commensurate with an outer surface920of the upstanding outer portion916.

The outer surface968of the side rim portion960is formed from a plurality of projections974. In a preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with smaller birds, the plurality of projections974number twelve (12) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a thirty (30) degree angle between the centers of the projections974. In another preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with larger birds, the plurality of projections974number eight (not shown) and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another with a forty-five (45) degree angle between the centers of the projections974.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best illustrated inFIGS. 58 and 59, each projection974has a first concave portion976at one end thereof, a second concave portion978at an opposite end thereof, and a convex portion980between the first and second concave portions976,978. On adjacent projections974, an end of the first concave portion976of one of the adjacent projections974preferably, but not necessarily, meets an end of the second concave portion978of the other one of the adjacent projections974. Thus, the outer surface968of the side rim portion960is provided at varying radial distances from a center of the feeder assembly900.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, an upper edge986of each projection974is formed of a first concave edge988at one end thereof, a second concave edge990at an opposite end thereof, and a convex edge992between the first and second concave edges988,990, as best illustrated inFIGS. 58 and 59. On adjacent projections974, an end of the first concave edge988of one of the adjacent projections974preferably, but not necessarily, meets an end of the second concave edge990of the other one of the adjacent projections974. Thus, the upper edge986of the projections974of the side rim portion960is provided at varying vertical distances from the base portion918of the pan member904. The first concave edge988is provided for at the upper edge986of the first concave portion976, the second concave edge990is provided for at the upper edge986of the second concave portion978, and the convex edge992is provided for at the upper edge986of the convex portion980.

The rim member954in a preferred embodiment also has a top rim portion1010. The top rim portion1010has a top surface1012which is defined between an outer edge1014and an inner edge1016of the top rim portion1010. When viewed in a side-elevational view, as inFIG. 58, the top surface1012appears to be provided in a series of curved peak portions1018and curved valley portions1020extending circumferentially around the top rim portion1010. The peak portions1018and the valley portions1020are formed because the inner edge1016of the top surface1012curves circumferentially downwardly from one of the peak portions1018to a point which is equidistant between the one peak portion1018and the adjacent peak portion1018, and then curves circumferentially upwardly to the adjacent peak portion1018. Similarly, the peak portions1018and the valley portions1020are formed because an outer edge1014of the top surface1012curves circumferentially downwardly proximate to one of the peak portions1018to a point which is equidistant between the one peak portion1018and the adjacent peak portion1018, and then curves circumferentially upwardly proximate to the adjacent peak portion1018. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and preferably for use with smaller birds, the top surface1012of the top rim portion1010has twelve (12) peak portions1018and twelve (12) valley portions1020, which are alternated around the circumference of the rim member954such that a thirty (30) degree angle is provided between the centers thereof. In another preferred embodiment, and preferably for use with larger birds, the top surface1012of the top rim portion1010has eight (8) peak portions1018and eight (8) valley portions1020(not shown), which are alternated around the circumference of the rim member954such that a forty-five (45) degree angle is provided between the centers thereof.

When viewed in side-elevational view, as best illustrated inFIG. 58, the top surface1012of the top rim portion1010also curves downwardly and outwardly from the inner edge1016to the outer edge1014.

The outer edge1014of the top surface1012is curved such that the outer edge1014is curved inwardly and downwardly at the valley portions1020of the top surface1012and curved outwardly and upwardly at the peak portions1018of the top surface1012.

The rim member954in a preferred embodiment also has a curved rim portion1022. As best illustrated inFIGS. 58 and 59, the curved rim portion1022connects the side rim portion960to the top rim portion1010and provides a smooth transition from the outer surface968of the side rim portion960to a top surface1012of the top rim portion1010. The curved rim portion1022connects the convex edges992of the projections974to the outer edges1014of the peak portions1018of the top rim portion1010. The curved rim portion1022also connects the concave edges988,990of the projections974to the outer edges1014of the valley portions1020of the top rim portion1010.

The purpose of this configuration of the rim member954allows for a front portion of a bird's body to conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly900such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly, as will be discussed further herein under the heading “Bird Welfare Features Of The Feeder Assembly900”. It should be noted that the configuration of the rim member954and the pan member904could be formed in a manner other than described hereinabove in order to achieve the objects of the invention, such that a front portion of a bird's body can conform thereagainst when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly900such that detrimental physical effects to the body of the bird are not caused, or are at least minimized, when the bird feeds from the feeder assembly900.

Bird Welfare Features of the Feeder Assembly900

The structure of the feeder assembly900provides for the overall welfare of the birds as they are feeding from the feeder assembly900by reducing detrimental physical effects to the birds caused by the birds feeding from the feeder assembly900and, thus, provides for a reduction of bird condemnation.

In the growing of birds, poultry growers typically try to grow birds which have large, healthy breasts as birds with large, healthy breasts will be the most commercially valuable to the poultry grower. As the birds are grown to have large breasts, the birds generally become front-heavy such that when the birds are eating from feeder assemblies, the birds tend to rest the front sides of their bodies, namely their breasts, on or against the pan or grill members, depending on the configuration of the feeder assemblies, to reduce the amount of weight that the birds must support while they eat. It should be noted that some birds are not raised for the purpose of large breasts because of the cut-up market, but it is still invaluable to have birds with healthy bodies.

Problems, however, can occur when the birds rest the front sides of their bodies on or against the pan or grill members. In particular, when the front sides of the birds rub against the pan or grill members, the front sides of the birds may become detrimentally physically effected, for instance, bruised. The detrimental physical effects to the birds' front sides can potentially cause health problems for the birds and can potentially cause the birds to eat less than the poultry grower would desire as the birds would become uncomfortable resting their front sides on or against the pan or grill members. The detrimental physical effects on the birds' front sides can also cause bird condemnation because after the removal of the birds' feathers, visual inspection of the birds' front sides can detect the detrimental physical effects thereon and, for instance, the effect on the color of the meat which is known to be a healthy color, thus possibly reducing the quality of grade given to the birds. Obviously, the lower quality of grade that is given to the birds, the less commercially valuable the birds become to the poultry grower. The feeder assembly900helps to prevent the foregoing by the configuration of the rim member954of the pan member904.

As best illustrated inFIG. 60, the side rim portion960, the curved rim portion1022and the top rim portion1010of the rim member954help to prevent, or at least minimize, the detrimental physical effects of the birds' front sides by allowing the breasts of the birds to conform thereto. The side rim portion960has the plurality of projections974with the first concave portion976of one of the projections974connecting to the second concave portion978of an adjacent projection974to allow the birds' front sides to conform thereagainst when the birds eat feed from the pan member904. The top rim portion1010has the peak and valley portions1018,1020to allow the birds' front sides to conform to the valley portions1020when the birds eat feed from the pan member904. The curved rim portion1022allows for a smooth transition from the side rim portion954to the top rim portion1010to allow the birds' front sides to conform thereon. In other words, the front sides of birds will more easily conform on or against the pan member904of the present invention than those of the prior art because the prior art feeder assemblies generally do not have smooth transitions and do not provide areas to which the birds' front sides conform. Contrarily, prior art feeder assemblies typically provide for the exact opposite, having areas which would project into the front sides of the birds as they rest against the feeder assemblies and, therefore, do not allow the birds' front sides to conform thereto, thus possibly causing detrimental physical effects to the birds's front sides which can lead to health problems for the birds and can potentially cause the birds to eat less than the poultry grower would desire as the birds would become uncomfortable resting their front sides on or against the pan or grill members.

Thus, the configuration of the pan member904helps assist in the overall health and comfort of the birds, as the pan member904is designed to be comfortable to the birds which leads to the birds staying longer at the feeder assembly900and, consequently, eating more feed.

Shallow/Deep Pan Depth

It is an advantage that the feeder assembly900has both the capabilities of a shallow pan depth for young birds to have access to the feed in the pan member904, and a deep pan depth for older birds to feed from the pan member904.

The shallow and deep pan depths are provided by the rim member954of the pan member904when the feeder assembly900is positioned on the feeding surface. As best illustrated inFIGS. 58 and 60, the valley portions1020of the top rim portion1010of the rim member954provide for the shallow pan depth, which is typically about two and a half (2.5) inches from the base portion918of the pan member904. Young birds can see over the valley portions1020of the top rim portion1010to see the feed and be attracted thereto. The young birds can also climb into the pan member904at the valley portions1020of the top rim portion1010of the rim member954such that the young birds so that they can eat the feed provided within the pan member904. It has been found that a pan depth of two and a half (2.5) inches is the optimal pan depth for feeding young birds. As best illustrated inFIGS. 58 and 60, the peak portions1018of the top rim portion1010of the rim member954provides for the deep pan depth, which is typically about three (3) inches from the base portion918of the pan member904. It has been found that a pan depth of three (3) inches is the optimal pan depth for feeding larger birds because this depth helps to prevent the larger birds from raking the feed presented in the pan member904, or building high feed levels within the pan member904, such that the amount of wasted or contaminated feed is minimized. It has been found that ¾″ is the optimal feed level for larger birds. Thus, the peak portions1018of the top rim portion1010force provide such a benefit when the feeder assembly900is utilized to feed larger birds.

Thus, the feeder assembly900provides for the functionality of both a shallow pan depth feeder assembly necessary for younger birds and for a deep pan depth feeder assembly which is desirable for older birds such that the poultry grower need not have two sets of feeder assemblies, one with a shallow pan depth and one with a deep pan depth. The shallow/deep pan depths also require no work of any kind by the poultry grower or vertical movement of the feeder assembly900to be effected. The pan depths are naturally provided by use of the feeder assembly900, with only the size of the bird defining which pan depth the birds utilize.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.