Abstract:
An improved animal feed dispenser is provided having a slow speed paddle wheel and a high speed distributor wheel. The high speed distributor wheel transports feed out of an opening in the device to spread it on the ground. The slow speed paddle wheel moves feed at a measured rate from a storage hopper and feeds it to the distributor wheel. A detachable mounting plate is used to attach the dispenser to a storage hopper, and is releasable therefrom without emptying the hopper of feed. The slow speed paddle wheel is formed from a material flexible enough to prevent feed jams caused by water absorption of the feed and other events.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to feeder equipment, and more specifically to an improved device for dispersing animal and fish feed. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Feeding of wildlife and fish using automated feeders is well known in the art. Numerous designs for such automated feeders have been-used, and most, if not all, of such designs have one or several drawbacks. 
         [0005]    An important general issue related to such feeders is that of reliability. Automated feeders can jam in use, and the unattended nature of such devices means that a jam may go undetected for an extended period of time. A feed jam means that the desired function of providing feed to wildlife is not implemented. Further, such jams can cause damage to the feeder itself, such as burning out a drive motor or bending a portion of the feeder. Animal feed is highly hygroscopic, so it swells and becomes sticky over time. Because of this, feed jams are relatively common in currently available feeder designs. 
         [0006]    Current designs also do not lend themselves to easy maintenance in the field. In order to clear a jam, typically a portion of the feeder must be disassembled, and the current designs do not make this process simple. It is often difficult to determine exactly what the cause of the jam even is, in many cases. 
         [0007]    Current feeder designs are usually relatively large and bulky, making them difficult to transport and set up. They are also difficult to attach and remove from commonly available feed buckets and hoppers. 
         [0008]    It would be desirable to provide an improved animal feed dispenser that is both simple to use and easy to maintain. It is preferable for such a device to be relatively inexpensive of manufacture, easy to use and clear in the field, reliable, small in size, and capable of easy attachment to and removal from a feed hopper. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, an improved animal feed dispenser is provided having a slow speed paddle wheel and a high speed distributor wheel. The high speed distributor wheel transports feed out of an opening in the device to spread it on the ground. The slow speed paddle wheel moves feed at a measured rate from a storage hopper and feeds it to the distributor wheel. A detachable mounting plate is used to attach the dispenser to a storage hopper, and is releasable therefrom without emptying the hopper of feed. The slow speed paddle wheel is formed from a material flexible enough to prevent feed jams caused by water absorption of the feed and other events. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The following description is a preferred embodiment of the invention, and is used for illustrative purposes. The invention will be better understood by the following description taken together with the drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled feed dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the dispenser unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an interior front plate for use in the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the interior of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a view of the mounting hardware for a paddle wheel used in the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the inside back cover of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  attached to a feed hopper; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  showing details of the attachment structure; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the dispenser attached to a hopper, with a blocking plate in the blocking position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the following description of a preferred embodiment is illustrative rather than limiting. Additional features may be added to a feed device without changing the nature of the invention, and various alternative design details will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0021]    The feed dispenser described herein is a self contained unit that is suitable for use with almost any feed hopper available on the market. It can be mounted in a fixed installation, or used with a portable feed device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the adaptability and flexibility of its design solves most of the problems that are common with currently available feed dispensers. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a feed dispenser  10  includes a main casing  12  having attached thereto a front plate  14 . A dispenser chute  16  is attached to the front of front plate  14 , and directs feed that is expelled form the unit. Front plate  14  is preferably attached to main casing  12  using four screws  18 , only three of which are visible in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    Adapter housing  20  is attached to the top of casing  12 , and has an opening  22  therein through which feed flows. Details of adapter housing  20  and the preferred technique for attaching it to a feed hopper are described in connection with  FIGS. 7-9 . The flow of feed into the dispenser can be blocked using blocking plate  24  as described later. In normal operation, feed drops through opening  22  into the interior of casing  12 , and is ejected at a high velocity through dispenser chute  16 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded diagram of dispenser  10 , showing most of the parts used to construct same. Blocking plate carrier  24  is attached to adapter housing  20  using screws, and supports and carries blocking plate  24 . Blocking plate  24  is able to slide forward (to the left in the drawing). When blocking plate  24  is pushed toward the rear of the device (to the right in the drawing), blocking plate opening  28  is aligned with opening  22 , allowing feed to fall, under the influence of gravity, into the interior of casing  12 . Opening  22  forms a cylinder, or tunnel, that extends downward to the plane defined by the top of blocking plate  24 . This constrains feed to move only in alignment with the various openings, and acts in conjunction with blocking plate  24  to completely stop feed flow when blocking plate  24  is pulled forward. Opening  30  in blocking plate carrier  26 , and notch  32  in the casing  12 , are aligned with opening  22  at all times. 
         [0025]    Adapter housing  20  preferably is easily removable from casing  12 . In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished using tabs  34  and notches  36  that engage tabs  34 . Depressing tabs  34  enables the adapter housing  20  to slide off of casing  12 . When the adapter is mounted to a relatively fixed hopper, casing  12  is actually moved relative to adapter housing by sliding casing  12  back to remove it. Tabs  34  act to hold the adapter housing  20  and casing  12  in a fixed relationship except when removal is intended. 
         [0026]    Electric motor  38  is mounted substantially horizontally, and impeller  40  is attached thereto. Although a horizontal orientation for motor  38  is preferred, other orientations can be used to good effect if desired. An interior front plate (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is attached to casing  12 , and motor  38  is attached to it. Motor cover  42  holds motor  38  and impeller  40  in place, and is attached to the interior front plate. Impeller  40  is aligned with opening  44  in front plate  12 , which is turn is aligned with chute  16 . 
         [0027]    Motor  38  preferably operates at a high speed, and in the preferred embodiment operated at approximately 12,000 rpm. This high impeller speed not only distributes feed at a significant distance using a very small impeller, but also operates to prevent feed jams at the impeller. The high speed will tend to cut through any feed pellets that are in a position to otherwise jam the impeller. 
         [0028]    The interior of front plate  12  and the interior front plate (not shown) form a chamber in which impeller  40  spins. This chamber has small clearances, so that feed cannot become stuck between the impeller and the surrounding walls of the chamber. 
         [0029]    Feed is fed to impeller  40  at a measured rate by paddle wheel  46 . Paddle wheel  46  is mounted on two gears  48  and axel  50 . Paddle wheel  46  is preferably mounted horizontally, and provides a light friction fit with a surrounding chamber formed from the front plate  12  and interior front plate. Paddle wheel  46  is made from a soft rubber or similar material that can flex if any type of blockage occurs. This prevents paddle wheel  46  from jamming, and continued rotation thereof will generally clear out any blockage that starts to occur. The material used is preferably soft enough that any blockage will cause the paddle wheel arms to bend around an obstruction with very little resistance, so that the motor that drives it encounters minimal additional load due to the jam. This means that the motor and reducer unit  52  do not slow down by any appreciable amount in the event that a jam does occur. Various soft rubbers and plastics are known in the art, and are suitable for use to fabricate the paddle wheel  46 . 
         [0030]    Paddle wheel  46  is driven by motor unit  52 , which includes a gear reduction assembly, as well as a motor that operates at a relatively low speed while maintaining minimal torque requirements. A relatively high torque is required, because of resistance generated by the gear reducer. In the preferred embodiment, the motor in unit  52  operates at approximately 2000 rpm, and the gear reducer causes the paddle wheel to operate at a speed preferably less than approximately 100 rpm, and preferably closer to 30 rpm. This slow turning provides a measured amount of feed to the impeller. When paddle wheel  46  is not turning, feed is blocked from passing through to the impeller. 
         [0031]    As described in more detail in connection with  FIG. 4 , a printed circuit board (PCB)  54  carries a micro switch  56  that presses against a plastic pin molded into front plate  14 . This pin extends rearward into the housing to contact micro switch  56 . PCB  54  is attached to casing  12  in a fixed position. When front plate  14  is removed, the plastic pin no longer presses against micro switch  56 . Micro switch  56  can thus sense when the front cover is removed, and prevent either motor from being turned on in such event, for safety reasons. 
         [0032]    Mounted behind motor unit housing  58  is battery  60 . Battery  60  is preferably a 6 volt battery, and provides power to both motors  38  and  52 , and to electronic timer  62 . An optional remote control unit  64  may also be installed, and if so is powered by battery  60  as well. 
         [0033]    Back cover  66  is used to close the back end of the device. Back cover is pivotally attached to casing  12 , and latched at the upper edge thereof using spring loaded latch  68 . Latch  68  is spring loaded so that simply moving a slide sideways causes the cover  66  to pop open for easy access to the interior. Timer  62  and remote control unit  64 , if used, are attached to the inside surface of cover  66 , and are accessible when cover  66  is opened as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . When cover  66  is opened, battery  60  can be removed and replaced. 
         [0034]    In operation, timer  62  is programmed to dispense feed at selected times of day. The amount of feed to be dispensed is controlled by controlling the length of time that the two motors are activated. When motor unit  52  is off, no feed passes through the dispenser. 
         [0035]    When a feeding interval arrives, motor  38  is first activated and given time to run up to speed. This delay is preferably a few seconds, which allows any debris in the impeller chamber to be removed before feed is provided, and to allow motor  38  to reach full rotational speed. After the start up delay, motor unit  52  is activated, causing feed to drop into the impeller chamber and be dispensed. When the feeding interval is over, motor unit  52  is stopped while motor  38  remains activated. This allows impeller  40  to completely clear out the impeller chamber within a couple of seconds. After the motor unit  52  has been shut off for several seconds, motor  38  is deactivated, and the unit remains shut off awaiting the next programmed feeding interval. 
         [0036]    Timer  62  preferably can be programmed as known in the art to provide feed once daily, or multiple times each day. Feeding can occur at dawn and dusk, or at regular intervals throughout the day. Feeding intervals are generally selected, as known in the art, depending on the animals or fish for which feed is being provided. The unit described herein is suitable for use for all types of animal and fish feed. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows the interior front plate attached to the front edge of casing  12 . A back half of impeller chamber  72  is formed into interior plate  70 , with a corresponding portion formed into front plate  14 . Chamber  74  holds motor  38  as previously described. Motor cover  42  holds motor  38  into chamber  74 . 
         [0038]    A drive shaft  76  from motor unit  52  is connected to paddle wheel  46 , which rotates in a paddle wheel chamber  78  formed partially into interior plate  70 . The remaining portion of chamber  78  is formed in a corresponding portion of front plate  14 . Casing notch  32  connects to a passageway  80  that allows feed to fall onto the paddles of paddle wheel  46  within chamber  78  during normal operation. Thus, when both motors are operating, feed falls through slot  32 , passes through passageway  80 , is transported around the left side of paddle wheel chamber  78  by the paddle wheel, and drops into impeller chamber  72  to be slung at high speed out through the front opening of the dispenser. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a portion of front plate  14  separated from interior front plate  70 . Paddle wheel chamber  78  is seen to be defined in part by a wall portion  82  formed into the interior plate  70 , and a corresponding wall portion  84  formed into front plate  14 . Motor unit  52  is attached to interior plate  70 . PCB  54  is also attached to interior plate  70 . 
         [0040]    A hole  83  in interior plate  70  is aligned with micro switch  56  (not shown in  FIG. 4 , being located on the far side of PCB  54 ). Pin  85 , molded as a part of front plate  14 , extends through hole  83  to make contact with micro switch  56 . Such contact is made only when front plate  14  is in a closed position against interior plate  70 . Once front plate  14  is moved, pin  85  no longer contacts micro switch  56 . This means that micro switch senses the removal of front cover plate  14 , and interrupts all connections to both motors when this occurs. This is a safety feature, and prevents the motors from being activated when the unit is opened for cleaning or maintenance. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of paddle wheel  46 . Gears  48  are ribbed, and align with ribs on the interior surface of paddle wheel  46 . This prevents paddle wheel  46  from becoming stuck in place while motor unit  52  is driving it. Paddle wheel has a number of identical blades, 8 as shown in this figure, evenly spaced around its central core. Each pair of adjacent blades, in cooperation with the central core and the walls of the paddle wheel chamber, defines a fixed volume capable of holding feed pellets to be transported to the impeller chamber. Each volume is separate, and together they act to prevent feed flow when paddle wheel  46  is not rotating. This operation is similar to the operation of a revolving door to prevent air flow out of a building when the door is motionless. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates back cover  66  when it is opened. Pivot points  86  are at the lower edge of cover  66 , with latch  68  at the top as previously described. Opening cover  66  allows it to be lowered below horizontal, at which time the timer  62  can be read and programmed. Remote control receiver unit  64  is also accessible. This remote receiver unit is used, as known in the art, to enable manual operation of the feeder using a low power radio transmitter similar to a garage door opener. Dropping cover  66  below a horizontal position also allows access to battery  60 , which can be easily replaced. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of dispensing unit  10  attached underneath a feed hopper  88 . Feed is placed into hopper  88  at intervals, and generally covered against the weather. Hopper  88  has an opening in the bottom that allows feed to drop through opening  22  in adapter housing  20 .  FIG. 7  is the normal orientation for the dispenser  10 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , dispenser  10  is shown from a top perspective view with hopper  88  removed. This view shows an optional size adapter plate  90  that can be attached to adapter housing  20  to enable attachment to larger hoppers. Size adapter plate  90  also has an opening  92  to allow feed to pass through. Attachment bolts  94  are used to connect the adapter housing  20  to the hopper. If size adapter plate  90  is not used, similar bolts are provided directly in adapter housing  20  to attach it to the hopper. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  illustrates the use of blocking slide plate  24  to stop flow of feed into the dispenser. When blocking plate  24  is pulled forward as shown in  FIG. 9 , the opening  28  therein is no longer aligned with the feed opening  22  in adapter housing  20 . this completely blocks flow of feed into dispenser  10 . This is only needed if dispenser  10  is removed from the hopper  88 , which would otherwise allow all of the feed held in hopper  88  to run out on the ground. With the use of blocking plate  24 , the dispenser  10  can be removed from hopper  88  without the need for emptying the hopper. 
         [0046]    In the preferred embodiment, front plate  14  is made from a clear plastic, which allows the interior of the unit to be seen up to the interior front plate  70 . This means that the impeller chamber  72 , the paddle wheel chamber  78 , and the feed passageway  80  can be viewed without removing any covers. This allows visual inspection of the interior to determine the cause of any failure to dispense feed, such as caused by a jam. IF a jam occurs that will not clear itself, front plate  14  can be removed to clear the jam. 
         [0047]    With the described mechanism, using a slowly rotating paddle wheel and a high speed impeller as described, feed jams are rare. Measured amounts of feed are delivered to the impeller. Unlike many current systems, in which the amount of feed delivered is a function of gravity, and feed moisture and stickiness, with the present invention the volume of feed delivered by the paddle wheel is fairly constant. This is because the volume of each paddle wheel chamber is constant, and the rotation speed of the paddle wheel is constant and known. Feed volume is the product of the rotational rate of the paddle wheel, volumes of the individual paddle wheel chambers, and the time that the paddle wheel is activated. 
         [0048]    Preferably, small openings, or weep holes, are provided at the junction of the dispenser chute  16  and front plate  14 . This prevents water from building up in the impeller chamber. The impeller chamber is angled so that the junction of the front plate  14  and dispenser chute  16  is the lowest point through which the feed pellets pass through the device. 
         [0049]    Weatherproof gaskets are preferably provided around both motors, the gear reduction assembly, and the micro switch. This prevents moisture from interfering with the operation of these devices. 
         [0050]    The device described herein is rugged and reliable, and almost impervious to jamming as a result of the feed absorbing moisture. Because the front cover is easily removed for servicing, any jams that do occur can be easily corrected. The overall device is quite compact, being much smaller than anything currently available on the market. The preferred embodiment described above fits approximately in a cube 9 inches on a side, and is very effective at dispersing feed over a large area. 
         [0051]    Most of the parts used to fabricate dispenser  10  are injection molded plastic, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and sturdy. Most of the parts are preferably a polypropylene having a high IZOD rating, which is durable in the outdoor environment in which these devices are used. The front cover plate  14  is preferably formed from a clear polycarbonate, allowing any feed jams to be easily viewed without removing front plate  14 . If a jam occurs, front plate  14  can be easily removed, as previously described, in order to deal with it. The polycarbonate used to make cover plate  14  is also extremely durable, for use in the field. 
         [0052]    Blocking plate  24  is made of a thin sheet of stainless steel or similar material. This allows plate  24  to be made very thin, and still string enough to perform both a blocking function, and have an edge thin enough to cut through any feed that happens to be in the way when blocking plate  24  is moved to the closed position. Thus, the inner edge of the blocking plate opening  28  acts as a knife edge to cut any feed pellets in the way, allowing blocking plate  24  to be moved to the closed position even when the hopper is full of feed. 
         [0053]    As previously described, paddle wheel  46  is made from a soft rubber or similar material. Impeller  40 , on the other hand, is made from a strong, rigid material. Preferably, stainless steel or a galvanized metal is used for strength and water resistance. A hard and sturdy plastic may also be used, if desired. 
         [0054]    While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.