Abstract:
A hay bale holder is provided having a shelter that selectively positions a chain link enclosure to hold a large hay bale. Openings in the fencing allow animals to remove portions of hay from a comfortable height without removing too much at once. The apparatus applies a spring tension to the chain link fencing allowing the fence to automatically reduce in diameter as the hay bale is consumed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886,359, filed Oct. 3, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shelter that selectively positions a chain link enclosure that which holds and dispenses a large round hay bale. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Keeping farm animals, such as horses, cows, goats, and the like, is a never-ending task, requiring one to constantly feed, groom, and clean-up after their animal charges. Many of these animals eat baled hay as their primary food. However, much of the food ends up on the floor, and becomes trampled, and thus wasted. This quickly becomes costly when premium feed such as alfalfa hay is concerned. While the user can give the animal a little amount of hay at a time to help reduce waste, it quickly becomes a time-consuming effort to continually replenish the feed trough. Additionally, such action exposes the animal care giver to possible injury from trampling, kicking, or even biting from certain animals, due to their close proximity to the feeding animal. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which farm-type animals can be fed hay-style feed, without waste or other disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention in providing a hay bale holder having a shelter that selectively positions a chain link enclosure to hold a large hay bale. Openings in the fencing allow animals to remove portions of hay from a comfortable height without removing too much at once. The present invention includes a wind-up assembly that applies a spring tension to the chain link fencing allowing the fence to automatically reduce in diameter as the hay bale is consumed. In this manner, the present invention allows for the feeding of baled type food to almost any type animal without waste of the food, in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a hay bale holder  10  depicting an empty state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the hay bale holder  10  depicting a loaded state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a rear perspective view of the hay bale holder  10  from above, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a rear perspective view of the hay bale holder  10  from below, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial front view of the hay bale holder  10  from below depicting an open and unloaded state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the hay bale holder  10  depicting an loaded state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the hay bale holder  10  depicting an contracted state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a wind-up torsion tube assembly portion  50  of the hay bale holder  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8 a    is a break-away view of latch post portions  72   a ,  72   b  of the hay bale holder  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8 b    is a break-away view of a hook assembly portion  82  of the hay bale holder  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  hay bale holder 
               20  shelter assembly 
               22  floor platform 
               24   a  first support post 
               24   b  second support post 
               24   c  third support post 
               24   d  fourth corner post 
               26  roof platform 
               28  roof covering 
               30  post foot 
               32  spacer 
               36  stop post 
               38  first hinge 
               40  hay supporting assembly 
               44  fence assembly 
               50  wind-up torsion tube assembly 
               51  torsion tube 
               52   a  first fastener plate 
               52   b  second fastener plate 
               53  torsion spring 
               54   a  first shaft collar 
               54   b  second shaft collar 
               55  locking mechanism plate 
               56  shaft 
               57  upper bearing 
               58  lower bearing 
               59  centering disc 
               60  sprocket 
               62  pin 
               64   a  locking lever arm 
               64   b  lever arm fastener 
               66  tension spring 
               67   a  first spring post 
               67   b  second spring post 
               68  cable pulley 
               70   a  first rotating support arm 
               70   b  second rotating support arm 
               72   a  first latch post 
               72   b  second latch post 
               74  brace member 
               75   a  first sliding plate 
               75   b  second sliding plate 
               76  slot 
               78  stationary block 
               80  lateral support bar 
               81  stationary support arm 
               82  hook assembly 
               83  offset block 
               84   a  third rotating support arm 
               84   b  fourth rotating support arm 
               86  second hinge 
               87  vertical member 
               88  hook 
               90  winch assembly 
               91  winch bracket 
               92  cable 
               94  winch pulley 
               95  locking lever 
               96  handle 
               97  alignment pulley 
               98  pulley bracket 
               100   a  first fence section 
               100   b  second fence section 
               105  fastener 
               107  latching clip 
               110  hay/bale 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 8   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     The present invention describes a hay bale holder (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides for the feeding of baled hay-type food  110  to farm-type animals. The apparatus  10  utilizes a weather-resistant shelter assembly  20  that encloses and protects a hay supporting assembly  40 . The hay supporting assembly  40  comprises a fence assembly  44  that includes two (2) vertically-orientated fencing sections  100   a ,  100   b  which wrap horizontally around a standard large-round-bale of hay  110 . As the hay  110  is consumed by farm animals through openings in the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , a wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  provides constant tension upon the fencing sections  100   a ,  100   b  to hold them against the bale of hay  110  to support the hay  110  and reduce wasted feed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , front perspective views of the apparatus  10  depicting empty and loaded states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a shelter assembly  20  which comprises a wooden floor portion  22 , a first support post  24   a , a second support post  24   b , a third support post  24   c , a fourth support post  24   d , a roof platform  26 , and a roof covering  28  such as metal or fiberglass corrugated roofing or equivalent material. The support posts  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d  are mounted to and extend vertically between respective corner portions of the rectangular floor  22  and roof platform  26  portions. Each support post  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d  comprises a vertical length of structural steel tubing having a rectangular foot portion  30  welded perpendicularly to both end portions, thereby providing an attachment means to respective floor  22  and roof platform  26  portions using a plurality of fasteners  105 . The floor portion  22  is envisioned to provide a plurality of spacers  32  envisioned to comprise four by-four lumber with end portions cut at a sharp angle, attached along a bottom surface using screws or nails, to allow the apparatus  10  to be pulled and moved using a tractor or similar means to transport the apparatus  10 . 
     Along with the first and second fence sections  100   a  and  100   b , the hay supporting assembly  40  further comprises a stop post  36 , a wind-up torsion tube assembly  50 , a first rotating support arm  70   a , a second rotating support arm  70   b , a third rotating support arm  84   a , a fourth rotating support arm  84   b , a lateral support bar  80 , and a pair of stationary support arms  81 . The rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b ,  84   a ,  84   b  comprise respective features which support and contain the hay/bale  110  within the hay supporting assembly  40  as the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  provides a means to wind the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  together, as the diameter of the hay/bale  110  reduces during consumption. It is envisioned that the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  be made using chain-link fencing material or equivalent, being made using approximately nine (9) gauge wire and having openings sufficient in size so as to allow a farm animal to feed through. 
     The stop post  36  comprises similar construction as the support posts  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d , being positioned at a center rear portion of the floor  22 . The stop post  36  provides a rearward mechanical stopping means to the hay/bale  110  during loading (see  FIG. 4 ). The stop post  36  also provides an attachment means to distal end portions of the first  70   a  and second  70   b  rotating support arms via respective first hinge portions  38  being welded or otherwise permanently affixed to said stop post  36 . The first hinges  38  allow angular positioning of the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  along a horizontal plane subjacent to the roof platform  26 , thereby enabling the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  to be rotated such that said rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  may be positioned adjacent to each other or rotated outwardly. Each first  70   a  and second  70   b  rotating support arm comprises a length of UNI-STRUT® or similar structural member providing a slot  76  along a bottom surface suitable to receive respective first latch post  72   a  and second latch post  72   b  portions. Each latch post  72   a ,  72   b  comprises welded portions including an angled brace member  74  and a “T”-shaped first sliding plate  75   a . Each first sliding plate  75   a  is positioned perpendicularly along a top portion of the latch post  72   a ,  72   b  enabling sliding insertion into the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  (see  FIGS. 4 and 8   a ). Said latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  are directed vertically downward having bottom end portions being positioned slightly above the floor  22  and are abutted against and positioned by a wooden stationary block  78  mounted to the floor  22 . The latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  provide an attachment means to proximal vertical edges of respective first  100   a  and second  100   b  fence sections using a plurality of fasteners  105  such as nuts and bolts. Outward rotation of the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  and affixed latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  provides frontal clearance to allow a user to insert a hay/bale  110  into the apparatus  10  until the hay/bale  110  is positioned against the stop post  36 . Once the hay/bale  110  is in position, the first  70   a  and second  70   b  rotating support arms may be rotated inwardly until the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  abut the stationary block  78 . The edge portions of the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , being affixed to the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , may then be joined together using a plurality of latching clips  107 , thereby encompassing and containing the hay/bale  110  within. The second fence section  100   b  is shown in  FIG. 1  extending approximately six inches (6 in.) beyond the attachment to the second latch post  72   b  to provide an overlapping of the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , thereby facilitating attachment of said fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  using the latching clips  107  as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     The lateral support bar  80  is affixed to the roof platform  26  via at least one (1) offset block  83 , preferably a pair of offset blocks  83  on opposing distal ends thereof. The lateral support bar  80  provides a hinging attachment means to the third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms via respective second hinge portions  86  being welded or otherwise permanently affixed to an intermediate location along a rear surface of the lateral support bar  80 . The second hinges  86  allow angular positioning of the third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms along a horizontal plane from a rearward adjacent position to an opposing outward position. Each third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arm comprises a length of UNI-STRUT® or similar structural member providing a slot  76  along a bottom surface suitable to slidingly receive a “T”-shaped second sliding plate  75   b  portion of a respective hook assembly portion  82 . Each hook assembly  82  engages and supports a side portion of a respective fence section  100   a ,  100   b  being capable of motioning rearwardly and inwardly via the third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms and the second sliding plates  75   b  as the hay/bale  110  reduces in size (see  FIGS. 4 and 8   b ). 
     The stop post  36  also provides a welded attachment means to a pair of stationary support arms  81  which divergently extend horizontally outward at an approximate angle of forty-five degrees (45°) to each other, being welded to the lateral support bar  80 . The stationary support arms  81  are positioned subjacent to, and provide mechanical support to, the previously described third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms as they rotate. 
     The actual width and height dimensions of the shelter assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10  are envisioned to accommodate a wide variety of sizes of large round hay/bales  110 , being scaled up or down accordingly without deviating from the teachings of the present invention, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , a rear perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The hay supporting assembly  40  includes fence sections  100   a  and  100   b . The distal edge portions of the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  are attached to the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  positioned immediately behind the stop post  36 . These are fastened using a plurality of fasteners  105  such as lag-screws or bolts. The distal vertical edges of the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  are attached to side surfaces of a torsion tube  51  of the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  via respective fastener plates  52   a ,  52   b  and fasteners  105 . Each fastener plate  52   a ,  52   b  comprises a strip of steel flat stock approximately one inch (1 in.) in width and having a plurality of equally-spaced drilled holes into which the fasteners  105  are installed. The torsion tube  51  is envisioned being made of plastic (PVC) or metal pipe. The spring-loaded rotating function of the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  gathers the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  around the torsion tube  51 , thereby automatically tightening the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  around the hay/bale  110  as said hay/bale  110  is consumed (also see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     The apparatus  10  comprises a winch assembly  90  affixed to a rearward support post  24   c ,  24   d  of the shelter assembly  20 . The winch assembly  90  provides an extending cable portion  92  which is connected to a cable pulley portion  68  of the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  to provide a means to wind an internal torsion spring portion  53  (see  FIGS. 2, 3 &amp; 5-7 ). The winch assembly  90  is envisioned to comprise a commercially-available hand-cranked unit further comprising a winch bracket  91 , a take-up winch pulley  94 , a locking lever  95 , and a crank handle  96 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , top views of the apparatus  10  depicting loaded and contracted states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. This view illustrates a new hay/bale  110  being held in position by the stop post  36  and the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  with the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  and latch post portions  72   a ,  72   b  at a forward position and being attached using the latching clips  107 . Additionally, the third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms and respective hook assemblies  82  are positioned to support the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  along opposing side portions of the hay/bale  110 . As the hay/bale  110  is consumed, the spring-loaded wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  applies a take-up tension upon the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , keeping said fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  pressing against the hay/bale  110  until the hay/bale  110  is completely consumed as seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view of the wind-up torsion tube assembly portion  50  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  comprises a cylindrical torsion tube  51 , an internal tension spring  53 , a first shaft collar  54   a , a second shaft collar  54   b , a shaft  56 , an upper bearing  57 , a lower bearing  58 , a centering disc  59 , a sprocket  60 , a locking lever arm  64   a , a spring  66 , and a cable pulley  68 . The components of the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  are mounted upon the shaft  56  which is rotatingly connected to the floor  22  and roof platform  26  portions of the shelter assembly  20  via a lower bearing  58  and upper bearing  57  respectively. As previously mentioned, the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  provides a means to attach the first  100   a  and second  100   b  fence sections to the torsion tube  51  via a first fastener plate  52   a  and a second fastener plate  52   b  being affixed to opposing surfaces of the cylindrical torsion tube  51  using fasteners  105  such as screws, rivets, or the like. 
     A portion of the shaft  56  within the torsion tube  51  is encompassed by the torsion spring  53 . An upper end of the torsion spring  53  is fixedly attached to a first shaft collar  54   a  mounted to an intermediate portion of the shaft  53  using a dowel pin  62 . A bottom end of the torsion spring  53  is fixedly attached to the lower bearing  58 . The cable pulley  68  is also fixedly attached to a portion of the shaft  56  just above the torsion tube  51 . The winch assembly  90  provides a means to collect a length of cable  92  from the cable pulley  68  causing rotation of the shaft  56 , thereby winding the torsion spring  53 . Following winding of the torsion spring  53 , the shaft  56  is mechanically coupled with the torsion tube  51  via respective engaging sprocket  60  and locking lever arm  64   a  portions which act to transfer the static torsion of the spring  53  to the torsion tube  51  and subsequently apply tension upon the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b.    
     The sprocket  60  is fixedly mounted to the shaft  56  via a dowel pin  62  or similar non-rotating device. The torsion tube  51  comprises an integral locking mechanism plate  55  being permanently attached to a circular top surface. The locking mechanism plate  55  comprises a flat circular plate having a center aperture portion to accommodate upper egress of the shaft  56 . The locking mechanism plate  55  provides rotary attachment of the locking lever arm  64   a  via a lever arm fastener  64   b  such as a shoulder bolt or the like. The locking lever arm  64   a  is biased against the sprocket  60  by a tension spring  66  which is anchored to the locking lever arm  64   a  and to the locking mechanism plate  55  portions by first spring post  67   a  and second spring post  67   b  portions, respectively. The locking lever arm  64   a  comprises a length of rectangular bar stock which extends outwardly allowing a user to motion said locking lever arm  64   a  to mechanically disengage the torsion tube  51  from the torsion spring  53 , thereby allowing independent rotation of the torsion tube  51  to manually feed out the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  from the wind-up torsion tube assembly  50  during the loading of a new hay/bale  110 . 
     The shaft  56  provides a means to support and position the torsion tube  51  via a second shaft collar  54   b . The second shaft collar  54   b  is affixed to the shaft  56  using a dowel pin  62  so as to support the locking mechanism plate portion  55  of the torsion tube  51  to position a bottom edge of the torsion tube  51  slightly above the floor  22 . Additionally, the shaft  56  comprises a centering disc  59  which rests upon the first shaft collar  54   a . The centering disc  59  comprises an outer diameter being slightly smaller than that of the inner diameter of the torsion tube  51 , thereby acting to center the torsion tube  51  laterally with regards to the shaft  56 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 a   , a break-away view of latch post portions  72   a ,  72   b  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  comprise respective sliding first latch post  72   a  and second latch post  72   b  portions. The fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  along with the stop post  36 , the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , and the hook assemblies  82 , define a self-adjusting cylindrical enclosure to position and contain the hay/bale  110  during feeding. As the hay/bale  110  is consumed and reduces in size, the tension upon the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  acts to slidingly motion the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  inwardly. 
     Each of the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  are slidingly attached to the respective rotating support arm  70   a ,  70   b  via a first sliding plate  75   a . Each first sliding plate portion  75   a  is welded perpendicularly to a top portion of a latch post  72   a ,  72   b  being supported by an interconnecting brace member  74 . The latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  and corresponding brace members  74  extend downwardly from the first sliding plate portion  75   a  through slot portions  76  along a bottom surface of the support arms  70   a ,  70   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 b   , a break-away view of a hook assembly portion  82  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In a similar manner as the previously described latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , the third  84   a  and fourth  84   b  rotating support arms comprise a length of UNI-STRUT® or similar structural member providing a slot  76  along a bottom surface suitable to slidingly receive a “T”-shaped second sliding plate  75   b  portion of a hook assembly portions  82 . Each hook assembly further comprises welded portions including a horizontal second sliding plate  75   b , a vertical member  87 , and a hook  88 . The second sliding plate  75   b  slides within a slot portion  76  of the rotating support arm  84   a ,  84   b . Each second sliding plate  75   b  comprises a vertical member  87  welded thereto and extending downwardly approximately one foot (1 ft.), and having the hook  88  welded to an inside surface. The vertical member  87  is preferably a length of pipe or other structurally equivalent member. The hook  88  comprises a “U”-shaped section of round bar stock with an upwardly turned end portion being suitable for passing through and supporting the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b.    
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; placing the apparatus  10  upon a generally flat ground surface; engage locking lever  95  and turn the winch assembly  90  a few turns to disengage the locking lever  64   a ; pressing upon the locking lever arm  64   a  to uncouple said locking lever arm  64   a  from the sprocket  60  to enable the winding torsion tube  50  to rotate freely and allow the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  to unwind; slidingly extending the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , and fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  outwardly; engaging the hook portions  88  of each hook assembly to an upper side edge of a respective fence section  100   a ,  100   b ; spreading the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  apart out to their mechanical limit; inserting the hay/bale  110  into a front portion of the shelter assembly  20 ; sliding the hay/bale  110  into the shelter assembly  20  until the hay/bale  110  contacts the stop post  36 ; rotating the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  together until contacting the stationary block  78  to encircle the hay/bale  110  within the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b ; connecting the overlapping edges of the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  using a plurality of latching clips  107 ; holding the handle on the winch assembly  90 ; releasing the locking lever portion  95  of the winch assembly  90 , and slowly turning backwards to allow the force of the torsion spring  53  to rotate the torsion tube  51  and pull the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , and subsequently the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b  and hook assemblies  82 , against the hay/bale  110 ; allowing farm animals to feed upon the hay/bale  110 ; allowing the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  to wind around the torsion tube  51  and reduce in diameter as the hay/bale  110  is consumed; and, benefiting from reduced waste of the hay/bale  110  during feeding afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of loading a new hay/bale  110  into the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: engaging the locking lever  95  and turning the winch assembly  90  a few turns to disengage the locking lever  64   a ; pressing upon the locking lever arm  64   a  to uncouple said locking lever arm  64   a  from the sprocket  60  to enable the winding torsion tube  50  to rotate freely and allow the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  to unwind; slidingly extending the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , and fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  outwardly; spreading the rotating support arms  70   a ,  70   b  apart out to their mechanical limits; inserting and securing a new hay/bale  110  into a front portion of the shelter assembly  20  as previously described; holding the handle on the winch assembly  90  to release the locking lever portion  95  of the winch assembly  90  and slowly turn backwards to restore the force of the torsion spring  53  to the torsion tube  51  to pull the latch posts  72   a ,  72   b , and fence sections  100   a ,  100   b  against the hay/bale  110 ; and, winding the torsion spring  53 , as needed, to obtain a desired amount of tension upon the fence sections  100   a ,  100   b , as previously described. Alternate embodiments of the present invention  10  are envisioned to comprise various overall width and height dimensions which correspond to particularly sized large round hay/bales  100 . 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed hay bale feeder have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.