Hay feeder

Here is disclosed a hay feeder for enclosing a cylindrical bail of hay having opposite first and second longitudinal portions. The hay feeder includes a semi-cylindrical housing dimensioned to enclose the first longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail, the semi-cylindrical housing having an arched bottom and an open top having a rim. A lid is provided which is configured to fit the rim to close the open top. The lid includes a frame supporting a flexible net which is dimensioned to enclose the second longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail when the lid is closed on the semi-cylindrical housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to devices for feeding hay to livestock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Livestock such as cattle and horses are often fed hay which is laid out for them in a field. To ensure that the feeding of hay to livestock is as efficient as possible, the hay is usually bundled as large cylindrical bails which are then rolled out onto the field as required. The bails of hay are exposed to the livestock and they are free to sat the hay as they desire. In order to prevent the hay bail from being trampled by the livestock, the hay bail can be contained in a large hay feeder which generally consists of a large rectangular housing configured to contain the bay bail and lift it off the ground while exposing the hay bail to the livestock. Newer hay feeders are provided with a flexible netting which is draped over the hay bail to further contain the hay and prevent it from falling out of the feeder while still allowing the animals to feed on the hay. Unfortunately, these hay feeders are relatively heavy and require a tractor to move. Additionally, the hay bail must be lifted off the ground and positioned within the feeder, therefore requiring the use of a tractor as the hay hails are too large and heavy to be lifted by hand. Therefore, an improved hay feeder which is lighter and more convenient to use is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hay feeder for enclosing a cylindrical bail of hay which can be loaded by simply rolling a bail of hay into the feeder by hand. The hay feeder includes a housing having a bottom and side walls formed as a semi-cylindrical trough. The housing has an open top, an interior and a rim surrounding the open top, the rim having opposite front and back edges. A lid is pivotally coupled to the back edge of the rim and dimensioned to cover the open top, the lid being movable between open and closed positions. The lid has a rectangular frame supporting a flexible net. The semi-cylindrical tough is dimensioned to contain a first longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail of hay. The flexible net is configured such that the net covers over a second longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail of hay when the lid is closed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hay feeder for enclosing a cylindrical bail of hay having opposite first and second longitudinal portions. The hay feeder includes a semi-cylindrical housing dimensioned to enclose the first longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail, the semi-cylindrical housing having an arched bottom and an open top having a rim. A lid is provided which is configured to fit the rim to close the open top. The lid includes a frame supporting a flexible net which is dimensioned to enclose the second longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail when the lid is closed on the semi-cylindrical housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of loading a hay bail into a hay feeder as described above. The method includes the steps of positioning the lid to the side of the housing and then rolling the cylindrical hay bail onto the lid and pressing down on the rim where the lid is connected with sufficient force to lift the trough and position it towards the cylindrical hay bail. The hay bail is then rolled over the lid and into the trough. Finally, the last step is to close the lid with the cylindrical hay bail positioned within the trough.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, a hay feeder made in accordance with the present invention, shown generally a item10, consists of a semi-cylindrical barrel shaped trough portion12made of a rectangular steel frame14having a plurality of curved elongated members16welded thereto. Elongated members16are preferably made from steel tubing and are curved in the shape of a semicircle to form an arched bottom36. Rectangular frame14is preferably fabricated from steel tubing and has opposite ends22and24, front side26and back side (or rear side)28. Elongated members16each have one end welded to front side26of rectangular frame14and an opposite end welded to back side28of the rectangular frame. Semi-circular side members18and20are welded to ends22and24of frame14, respectively. Semi-circular side members18and20are preferably consist of relatively thin steel plates and have bottom edges19and21, respectively, which are parallel to elongated members16. If a less rigid and lighter weight construction is required, side members18and20may consist of curved elongated members identical to elongated members16instead of steel plates. Elongated members16are spaced apart to form drainage openings25between the elongated members and between the elongated members and semicircular members18and20. Lid30is pivotally connected to back end28and is dimensioned to fit over rim (rectangular frame)14to close off open top11of trough/housing12. Lid30consists of a steel rectangular frame32supporting a large flexible net34. As can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, net34is extendable so that feeder10is cylindrical when the net is extended.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 through 8the method of loading hay feeder10with cylindrical hay bail40shall now be discussed. Hay feeder10is positioned on the surface of ground38with the curved bottom36of trough12resting on the ground. Lid30is then swung open as illustrated by arrow31so that a distal end42of lid30touches ground38and the lid is to the side of trough/housing12(seeFIG. 6). Cylindrical hay bail40is then rolled adjacent lid30(FIG. 6) and then rolled on top of lid30(seFIG. 7) by rolling the bail in the direction indicated by arrow43. The hay bail is then rolled across lid30and into trough12. Lid30is then swung over the hay bail by moving it in the direction indicated by arrow45.

The hay feeder made in accordance with this invention has several advantages over other hay feeders. Firstly, since hay bail40is never lifted off the ground and is merely rolled across the ground and across lid30, the operation of loading the hay bail into the hay feeder can be done by hand and without the aid of a tractor or powered equipment. Furthermore, since feeder10is made from mostly steel tubing, it is relatively light weight and can be moved about the surface of the ground without the need of a tractor. The feeder is also highly compact being only slightly larger than the hay bail itself therefore it can be easily stored and positioned closer together.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.