Abstract:
An automated animal feeder may store at least two different varieties of animal feed and automatically dispense a desired amount of feed at specified times of the day. Feed, stored in storage bins, gravitates to a conveying mechanism which transfers the feed to the feeding station. The conveying mechanism, which comprises almost all of the moving parts of the apparatus, is an integrated unit which is easily removed from the housing of the apparatus for maintenance. The volume of feed may be regulated by adjustable panels which control the volume of feed which is transported to the feeding station.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/328,928 for this invention was filed on Apr. 28, 2010, for which application this inventor claims domestic priority. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The disclosed device generally relates to an automated feeding apparatus for animals, and in particular for large livestock such as cattle, sheep and horses. 
         [0003]    Various forms of feeding devices are known which can be used without requiring replenishment of the feed contained therein over a relatively long period of time. However, such devices suffer from several deficiencies when used with horses. Horses need different levels of feed and nutrition in their diet depending on the animal&#39;s age, weight, activity level and overall health. It is important that the animal receives a proper balance of proteins, grains, hay, and supplements, thus often requiring a blend of different feeds. However, the prior art automated feeding systems for horses are generally limited to dispensing a single feed at a time, or do not allow for dispensing a proportioned amount of two different feeds. Furthermore, in order to provide satisfactory feeding over relatively long periods of time, it is necessary for the device to have a relatively large storage capacity for storing and protecting sufficient quantities of feed from the elements. In addition to protecting the feed from the elements, it is important to provide controlled access to the feed, such that the correct amount is dispensed to meet the daily needs of the animals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the disclosed automated animal feeder dispense multiple feeds at predetermined times of the day. Embodiments of the device may comprise a sufficiently large storage capacity to store sufficient quantities of multiple feeds to last for a number of days without being replenished. The amounts of the various feeds may be independently managed, such that more fibrous feeds are delivered or more grain feeds may be delivered, based upon the nutritional requirements of the animal(s). 
         [0005]    The disclosed apparatus dispenses pellet feed and whole or processed grains, including corn, oats, wheat and barley. Pellet feed has several advantages over other feed types. The pellet feed is easy to handle and measure. It is generally consistent in quality while textured feeds are not. Because the nutritional makeup of the feed is the same throughout, it is easier to properly plan an animal&#39;s nutritional requirements and consistently implement a feed regimen day in and day out. The pellets also prevent picky eaters from only ingesting the portions of the textured feeds they enjoy while leaving behind that which they will rather not eat. 
         [0006]    The disclosed automated animal feeder comprises a storage area for two or more separated types of feed, a timer means for initiating dispensing of the feed from the storage area, one or more quantity regulators for controlling the quantity of feed released from the storage area, and a conveying mechanism for transferring the feed to the feeding station. The conveying mechanism, which comprises almost all of the moving parts of the apparatus, is an integrated unit which is easily removed from the housing of the apparatus for maintenance. The timer means may control the operation of the quantity regulator, and may also control the operation of the conveying means. 
         [0007]    The timer means may be any of the commercially available timer means in use, and may be capable of multiple feed times. The quantity regulator(s) may be a gate or similar metering device. Multiple quantity regulators may be utilized to allow for the disbursement of different types of feed. The quantity regulators may be independently operable such that varying amounts of each type of feed may be released. Additionally, the quantity regulators may be operated by the timer such that only one type of feed may be released at a time. The conveying mechanism means may comprise a conveyor belt or chain, an inclined slope, or similar method of transfer, which conveys the feed released from the storage area to the feeding station. 
         [0008]    The apparatus may be battery operated or operate from a remote power source. If battery operated, the batteries may be of the rechargeable type. The batteries may be recharged through a solar panel array, thereby allowing the apparatus to be remotely located. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a right side perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus, showing the integrated conveying mechanism being removed from the housing of the apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a left side perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus, showing the integrated conveying mechanism being removed from the housing of the apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a partial front view of an embodiment of the apparatus with the lower access panel in an open position, the front arbitrarily identified as that portion of the apparatus through which the operator accesses the interior of the apparatus for loading, controlling, and maintenance. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a rear view of an embodiment of the apparatus showing feed stations and the feed quantity regulators. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus, showing, by hidden line, the feed quantity regulators. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus, showing the access panel to the feed storage compartments in an open position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a left side view of an embodiment of the integrated conveying mechanism removed from the housing. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the integrated conveying mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows a right side view of the integrated conveying mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring now to the Figures, an embodiment of the disclosed automated animal feeder  10  comprises a housing unit  12  having a front  14  and a back  16 . Front  14  has an arcuate configuration which facilitates loading feed into the apparatus, and which allows for the complete insertion of the interior components as discussed in greater detail below. The front  14  further comprises lower opening  18  and upper opening  20 . Lower opening  18  may have a pivoting access panel  22  which allows for access to the interior components of the device. Upper opening  20  comprises a feed door  24 , which opens up to allow access to a storage space which may be divided by divider  30 , which vertically extends through a portion of the housing unit  12 , to form storage bins  26 ,  28 . Each of the storage bins  26 ,  28  is adapted to store a livestock feed. It is to be appreciated that while not shown in the drawings, additional storage bins might be formed by the inclusion of additional dividers  30  inside the housing unit  12 . 
         [0021]    The back  16  of the housing unit  12  has an opening, which is segmented by divider  30  which may define two feed chutes, a first feed chute  13  and a second feed chute  15 . Additional dividers  30  may be utilized to define additional feed chutes, to allow for dispensing a greater variety of livestock feed. First feed chute  13  and second feed chute  15  may dispense into feed receptacles  17 , which is set at a height which allows easy access by an animal. 
         [0022]    The apparatus  10  further comprises a conveyor unit  32  which is slideably removable from the housing unit  12 . As best shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , the conveyor unit  32  forms a tray unit having opposing side panels  34 ,  36 . The conveyor unit  32  also has a front panel  38 , which is so named because it is oriented in the same direction as the front  14  of the housing unit  12  when the conveyor unit  32  is installed within the apparatus  10 . The conveyor unit  32  has a bottom  40 , which forms the floor of the storage bins  26 ,  28 . The conveyor unit  32  further has an open tray end  42  opposite the front panel  38 . When installed within the housing unit  12 , the open tray end  42  faces the opening through which feed is dispersed through the first feed chute  13  and the second feed chute  15 , where the continuous belt conveyor  44  delivers feed through the openings. 
         [0023]    Conveyor unit  32  further comprises a continuous belt conveyor  44  which is disposed between a drive roller  46  and an idler roller  48 , wherein a portion of the continuous belt conveyor forms the bottom of the tray. In this manner, feed loaded into the storage bins  26 ,  28  is gravity fed into the conveyor unit, and delivered to the first feed chute  13  and the second feed chute  15 . A motor  50  is operationally attached to drive roller  46 , such as by a chain  52  which is attached to a gear attached to the drive roller. Upon activation by motor  50 , the continuous belt conveyor  44  transfers feed, which has been disposed on the continuous belt conveyor through upper opening  20 , toward the back of the housing unit  12  and through the first feed chute  13  and the second feed chute  15 . 
         [0024]    The motor  48  is controlled by a control means, such as digital processor  54 . Digital processor  54  may be programmed by the user to periodically actuate the motor  48  for a specified time at a predetermined time of day, causing the continuous belt conveyor  44  to transfer a portion of the first livestock feed and a portion of the second livestock feed to the feed receptacles  17 . Because the operational time (i.e., the length of time the motor actually runs) of the continuous belt conveyor  44  may be controlled, the volume of feed being delivered to the feed receptacles  17  may also be controlled. Digital processor  54 , or an analog controller if used, may provide for multiple operating times on a daily basis, such that feed may dispensed multiple times per day as desired by the user. 
         [0025]    A power means, such as battery  56 , may be utilized to provide the required current to the motor  48  and digital processor  54 . Battery  56  may be of the type which is rechargeable. For remote locations, battery  56  may be attached to a solar panel, such that the battery is recharged by sunlight, which allows the apparatus to be utilized in locations which do not have immediate access to electrical distribution facilities. 
         [0026]    The storage area  12  should have a capacity sufficient to store at least 5 days of feed for a single animal. The arcuate shape of the device as shown in the figures provides a suitable internal volume for storage, while also providing sufficient head for delivery of the feed and allowing room for the internal operating mechanisms. 
         [0027]    The apparatus may further comprise a regulator means which controls the amount of feed being dispensed to the feed receptacles  17 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the back  16  of the housing unit  12  may have regulating panels  60 , each which is slideably disposed against a feed chute  13 ,  15 . In  FIG. 6 , the regulating panels are shown in hidden view because the panels may be covered by a back panel and also by hood  72 , but the regulating panels may be fully exposed as well. The position of each regulating panel  60  with respect to a feed chute  13 ,  15 , defines a dispensing area, under which continuous belt conveyor  44  may extend. The regulating panels will only allow a certain volume of feed to be dispensed through the dispensing area at a time because the relative position of each regulating panel limits the height of the feed being transported by the continuous belt conveyor which extends beneath the regulating panels, such that the volume of food is limited. Utilizing a separate regulating panel  60  for each feed chute  13 ,  15 , allows the user to control the relative volumes of the feeds being dispensed. For example, a first regulating panel  60  adjacent to a first feed chute  13  may be placed in a fully opened position, while a second regulating panel adjacent to a second feed chute  15  may be partially closed, thus allowing a greater volume of feed to be transferred through the first feed chute than through the second feed chute for a specific amount of time during which the continuous belt conveyor is in operation. For each feed delivery period, it is anticipated that the continuous belt conveyor  44  will only operate for a manner of seconds. 
         [0028]    The regulating panels  60  may be operated by activation lever  62 , which are operationally connected to the regulating panels by a connection means such as a rod or chain as indicated in  FIG. 7 . As further shown in  FIG. 7 , a front view of the housing which shows the regulating panels  60  in hidden view, the activation levers  62  may have a range of different positions which allow the user to select a particular dispensing area for a particular feed, allowing the user to independently control the amount of each feed being dispensed to the feed receptacles  17 . 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the apparatus  10  may be free standing, and utilize legs  64 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the legs may also comprise wheels  66  for facilitating movement of the device. The apparatus may also comprise handles  68  for facilitating the lifting of the device. The apparatus may also comprise hangers  70  which allow the apparatus to be hung from a supporting structure, such as the rail of a corral or pen. A hood  72  may be placed over the feed receptacles  17  to prevent rain or other moisture from getting into feed which has been dispensed into the receptacles. Conveyor unit  32  may comprise handles  74  to facilitate insertion and removal of the conveyor unit  32  from the housing unit  12 . 
         [0030]    While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead the true scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.