Patent Publication Number: US-2022217940-A1

Title: Animal feeding apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to apparatuses for the feeding of deer and similar animals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Animal feeders are sometimes used to provide nourishment to various animals, such as deer, elk, etc., and to draw them to a predetermined location for observation, harvesting, etc. Some animal feeders include a container configured to store animal food, such as grain, pellets, etc., and a dispenser that releases the animal food from the container. Typically, the container and the dispenser are supported above the ground by a plurality of support members in a tripod arrangement. 
     SUMMARY 
     A feeder includes at least one vertical wall defining a feed storage compartment, and structure defining the lower surface of the feed storage compartment. The at least one vertical wall has a first layer comprising angled louvers and a second layer comprising mesh screen. The louvers permit air flow through the feed storage compartment, thereby preventing the overheating of the feed contained therein due to solar heating and allowing for the elimination of any excess moisture that is released by the feed. The mesh retains the feed in the compartment and prevents insects from entering the compartment while not interfering with the air flow. Accordingly, the feeder provided herein prevents the growth of mold and the spoilage of feed stored therein. 
     The feeder provided herein may also include a novel lower surface of the feed storage compartment that is inclined on all sides of an opening to a passageway that leads to a feed distributor. The lower surface design facilitates the gravity-induced granular flow of feed. The feeder may also include a hollow floor through which wires extend to power lights that are integrated into the bottom of the feeder to illuminate any animals that are feeding beneath the feeder. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective view of an animal feeder apparatus including a stand supporting an animal feeder having an expanded metal platform in a horizontal position; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic, perspective view of the animal feeder apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the expanded metal platform in a vertical position; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic, sectional, side view of the feeder of  FIG. 1 , including structure and walls cooperating to define compartments; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the structure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, top view of the structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic, perspective view of the feeder with the lid in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic, perspective view of the feeder with a storage compartment door in an open position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic, bottom view of the feeder. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout, an animal feeder apparatus  10  includes an animal feeder  14  and a stand  18 . In the embodiment depicted, the stand  18  includes four substantially vertical support members  22  and four substantially horizontal support members  26 ,  30  that operatively interconnect the top ends of the vertical support members  22 . The feeder  14  rests on the horizontal support members  26 ,  30  so that the stand  18  supports the feeder  14  above the ground. The space between the horizontal support members  26 ,  30  is open and unobstructed. 
     It should be noted that the stand  18  in the embodiment depicted is merely exemplary and that any stand configuration that adequately supports the feeder  14  without interfering with its operation may be employed within the scope of the claimed invention. Optional tie-downs are used in the embodiment depicted to interconnect the ground with the top of the stand  18  or the feeder  14  to provide additional stability to the apparatus  10 . 
     The feeder  14  includes four vertical walls  34 A,  34 B,  34 C,  34 D, and a lid  38  that cooperate to partially define a first storage compartment  42 . The feeder  14  also includes structure  46  defining the lower surface  48  of the first storage compartment. Three of the walls  34 A,  34 B,  34 C are comprised of three layers: a first layer  52  comprising angled louvers  56 , a second layer  58  comprising coarse mesh screen  60 , and a third layer  62  comprising fine mesh screen  64 . 
     The first layer  52  is the outermost layer of walls  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, the third layer  62  is the innermost layer, and the second layer  58  is between the first and third layers. The louvers  56  are angled such that, in any given wall, the innermost edge of each louver is higher than the outermost edge of each louver. The louvers  56  are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction such that there is space between each louver  56  and any adjacent louvers  56 . 
     The first storage compartment  42  is configured to store the animal feed that is dispensed from the feeder  14 . Typically, the animal feed is corn but could be any feed within the scope of the claimed invention, including, but not limited to, feed cubes. The construction of walls  34 A,  34 B,  34 C prevents spoilage of the feed contained within the first storage compartment  42 . More specifically, the louvers  56 , with the spaces therebetween, permit air flow between the first storage compartment  42  and the surrounding environment, while the angle of the louvers  56  limits or prevents rain from entering the first storage compartment. The air flow enabled by the louvers  56  prevents overheating of the feed due to solar heating of the feeder  14  by enabling convective heat transfer from the compartment to the surrounding atmosphere. The air flow enabled by the louvers  56  also facilitates the elimination of water or water vapor that may be released from the feed, thereby preventing the clumping of the feed and the growth of mold. 
     The fine mesh screen  64  of the third layer  62  prevents insects from entering the first storage compartment  42  while also not blocking the air flow. The coarse mesh screen  60  of the second layer  58  protects the fine mesh screen  64  from being torn by animals such as racoons. The coarse mesh screen  60  may also assist the fine mesh screen  64  in retaining the feed inside the first storage compartment  42 . In one embodiment, the coarse mesh screen is a quarter-inch mesh. The mesh screens  60 ,  64  may be any material within the scope of the claimed invention, including, but not limited to, various metal screens and plastic mesh screens. 
     In the embodiment depicted, wall  34 D does not include the three-layer construction of walls  34 A-C. Instead, the wall  34 D is a single, solid, continuous piece of material such as plywood, which permits the attachment of various accessories such as a photovoltaic panel  66 . It should be noted that, within the scope of the claimed invention, at least one of the walls  34 A-D has the three-layer construction. Thus, for example, and within the scope of the claims, only one wall may have the three layers  52 ,  58 ,  62  or all of the walls may have the three layers  52 ,  58 ,  62 . Similarly, although the feeder  14  in the embodiment depicted includes four walls  34 A-D, a feeder  14  within the scope of the claims may have more walls or fewer walls. For example, and within the scope of the claimed invention, a feeder may have a single cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical feed storage compartment. 
     The lower surface  48  of the first storage compartment  42  defines a valley  68 . A conduit  72  for directing feed from the first storage compartment  42  defines a passageway  76  having a first opening  78  and a second opening  82 . The first opening  78  is in the valley  68  at the lowest extent of the valley  68 . 
     More specifically, the lower surface  48  includes a first linear edge  86  and a second linear edge  90  spaced apart from and parallel to the first linear edge  86 . The first and second linear edges  86 ,  90  extend substantially the entire width of the first storage compartment  42 . The lower surface  48  includes a first substantially planar portion  94  that inclines upward from the first edge  86 , and a second substantially planar portion  98  that inclines upward from the second edge  90 . The lower surface  48  also includes a first vertical portion  102  that extends downward from the first edge  86  and a second vertical portion  106  that extends downward from the second edge  90 . 
     The lower surface  48  also includes a third substantially planar portion  110  that is between the first and second vertical portions  102 ,  106  and inclines upward from the first opening  78  of the first passageway  76  on a first side of the first opening  78 . The lower surface  48  further includes a fourth substantially planar portion  114  that is between the first and second vertical portions  102 ,  106  and inclines upward from the first opening  78  of the first passageway  76  on a second side of the first opening  78  opposite the first side. 
     The first storage compartment  42  is thus symmetrical about a first vertical plane that bisects the compartment  42  and is also symmetrical about a second vertical plane perpendicular to the first vertical plane. The vertical portions  102 ,  106 , and third and fourth planar portions  110 ,  114  define the valley  68  and are at such a steep incline that virtually all of the feed contained within the valley  68  is gravity fed into the passageway  76 . The first and second planar portions  94 ,  98 , which are above the valley  68 , are sufficiently inclined such that all feed in the storage compartment  42  is gravity-fed into the valley  68 . The vertical portions  102 ,  106  are on two opposing sides of the opening  78 , and the steep planar portions  110 ,  114  are on the other two opposing sides of the opening  78 . Wall  34 B includes a transparent sight glass  116  that extends from the top of the compartment  42  to the top of the valley  68  so that the amount of feed in the compartment  42  is observable from the exterior of the feeder  14 . 
     In the embodiment depicted, the feeder  14  includes a plurality of support members  117  that are attached to the first and second substantially planar portions  94 ,  98  of the lower surface  48 . The support members  117  are parallel to one another and act to reinforce the structure that defines the surface portions  94 ,  98  and thereby prevent sagging of the structure due to the weight of the feed resting thereon. The support members  117  form protuberances from the surface portions  94 ,  98 , and cooperate with the portions  94 ,  98  to define a plurality of grooves  119 . The members  117  and the grooves  119  are oriented such that the support members  117  and the protuberances that they form do not interfere with the gravity-fed granular flow of feed from portions  94 ,  98  into the valley  68 . 
     It should be noted that, as used herein, a “substantially planar portion” of a surface may include protuberances that are oriented such that the protuberances do not substantially interfere with the gravity-induced flow of material on the substantially planar portion. The protuberances may be formed by members attached to the surface, as shown in the embodiment depicted, or may be formed by the structure defining the surface. For example, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) and within the scope of the claimed invention, the structure  48  may define corrugations, i.e., alternating and parallel grooves and protuberances, in surface portions  94 ,  98  that are oriented so as not to substantially interfere with gravity-induced flow on the surface portions  94 ,  98 . 
     The structure  46  also cooperates with the walls  34 A- 34 D to define a second storage compartment  118  under the first substantially planar portion  94  and to define a third storage compartment  122  under the second substantially planar portion  98 . The second and third storage compartments  118 ,  122  are separated by the valley  68  and the portion of the structure that defines the valley  68 . 
     One of the walls  34 A defines a first opening  126  to the second storage compartment  118 , and another one of the walls  34 C defines a second opening  130  to the third storage compartment  122 . The feeder  14  further comprises a first door  134  movably mounted with respect to the wall  34 A and configured to selectively obstruct the first opening  126 . A second door  138  is movably mounted with respect to the wall  34 C and configured to selectively obstruct the second opening  130 . More specifically, the first and second doors  134 ,  138  are connected to their respective walls  34 A,  34 C via hinges such that each of the doors  134 ,  138  is selectively rotatable between open and closed positions. The doors  134 ,  138  are shown in the respective closed positions in  FIG. 3 . Door  134  is also shown in the closed position in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and door  134  is shown in the open position in  FIG. 7 . 
     The feeder  14  includes a first shelf  142  disposed within the second compartment  118  and is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the first shelf  142  is entirely within the second compartment  118 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and an extended position in which the first shelf  142  extends out of the second compartment  118  through the first opening  126 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the embodiment depicted, the first shelf  142  is mounted to feeder  14  via drawer glides  146  as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     Similarly, a second shelf  150  is disposed within the third compartment  122  and is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the second shelf  150  is entirely within the third compartment  122  and an extended position in which the second shelf  150  extends out of the third compartment  122  through the second opening  130 . 
     A bottom portion  154 , or base, of the feeder  14  extends under the first, second, and third compartments  42 ,  118 ,  122 . The bottom portion  154  includes a first panel  158  and a second panel  162 . The first and second panels  158 ,  162  are substantially horizontal, parallel to one another, and define a first chamber  168  therebetween. The first conduit  72  extends through the first chamber  168 . 
     A second conduit  172  defines a second passageway  176 . The second conduit  172  and the second passageway  176  extend through the first chamber  168  from the second compartment  118  to the third compartment  122 . Wires may extend through the passageway  176  of the conduit thereby to electrically interconnect components that are disposed within the second compartment  118  with components in the third compartment  122 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of lights  180  are built into the second panel  162  such that the lights  180  shine downward to illuminate the ground under the feeder  14  for viewing animals that are feeding. More specifically, the second panel  162  defines a plurality of holes; each of the lights  180  extends through a respective one of the holes. Wires (not shown) are routed from the components in the second compartment  118  through the first chamber  168  to the lights  180 . Accordingly, the bottom portion  154  of the feeder  14  enables the lights  180  to be integrated with the feeder  14  and powered and controlled by the components stored in the second compartment  118  by accommodating the electrical interconnection between the lights  180  and the control and power components in the chamber  168 . 
     Each of the lights  180  is selectively rotatable about a respective horizontal axis and a respective vertical axis so that the area of illumination can be modified by a user. In one embodiment, the lights  180  are LEDs. At least one electrical outlet  192  is mounted to the second panel  162  so that the user may connect other devices to the feeder&#39;s battery. 
     A feed dispenser assembly  196  includes a feed distributor  200  and a motor  204  operatively connected to the feed distributor  200  such that the motor selectively rotates the feed distributor  200 . The distributor  200  is positioned under the second opening  82  to the passageway  76 . Thus, feed from the first storage compartment  42  is gravity fed through the passageway  76  and onto the distributor  200 . The spinning distributor transmits horizontal forces to the feed in order to distribute the feed broadly across the ground under the feeder  14 . 
     The feeder includes a skirt  208  that defines a second chamber  212  that is downwardly open. The distributor  200  is disposed within the second chamber  212 . The second chamber  212  is tapered such that the second chamber increases in width in the downward direction as shown in  FIG. 3 . The walls of the skirt  208  surround the distributor  200  and prevent the feed from being scattered over a wide area. Thus, the skirt  208  maintains the feed in the area beneath the feeder  14  that is illuminated by the lights  180 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an expanded metal platform  216  is rotatably connected with respect to one wall  34 B for movement between a vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a horizontal position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The platform  216  in the horizontal position provides a structure to support a user while loading feed into the compartment  42 . The expanded metal platform  216  defines a plurality of apertures throughout, thereby enabling a user to view the sight glass  116  through the platform  216  when the platform  216  is in the vertical position. In the embodiment depicted, the platform  216  is connected to the wall  34 B via at least one hinge, and flexible members  218 , such as ropes or cables, interconnect the platform  216  and the top of the feeder  14  to support the platform  216  in the horizontal position as shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the upper surface  220  of the feeder  14  defines an opening  224  to the first compartment  42 . The lid  38  is mounted with respect to said at least one wall such that the lid is selectively movable between a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which the lid  38  obstructs the opening  224 , and an open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in which the lid  38  does not obstruct the opening  224 . The feeder  14  includes a sieve  228  extending across at least a portion of the opening  224 . The sieve  228  is selectively slidable relative to the opening  224 . A lip  236  surrounds the opening  224  to keep rain from the lid  38  from entering the first compartment  42 . The outer surface of the lid  38  is convex to prevent water from pooling thereon. 
     It should be noted that compartment doors  134 ,  138  and the lid  38  have weather strip on them to keep rain and insects out. The feeder  14  in the embodiment shown has the general shape of a rectangular prism, and is approximately 2 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 3.5 feet tall. It holds 700 pounds of feed. However, other shapes and dimensions of the feeder  14  may be employed within the scope of the claimed invention. 
     In the embodiment depicted, the louver  56  directly above the doors  134 ,  138  are longer than the other louvers to prevent rain from entering the compartments. 
     The feeder  14  includes a marine battery  232  that is operatively connected to the lights  180  and motor  204 . The battery  232  is disposed on the shelf  142  in the second storage compartment  118 . Other devices stored on the shelf  142  in the second storage compartment  118  may include a timer for a control unit that is operatively connected to the motor  204  such that the feeder  14  may be programmed to dispense feed at predetermined times or intervals. The timer is at eye level and removable from the shelf  142  so that it can be held at waist level which makes it easy to adjust feed times. Prior art timers are usually located inside the control unit under the feeder, which means that a user must crawl under the feeder to adjust the timer. Toggle switches to control the lights  180  may also be on the shelf  142  in the second compartment  118 , as well as a charge controller for the solar panel  66 , which is connected to the battery  232 . An LED gooseneck light is mounted to the shelf  142  so that the compartment can be illuminated. 
     The third compartment  122  may be used to store another battery, which can be electrically connected to the other devices, such as a charge controller and electrical panel, in the second compartment  118  through the conduit  172  that interconnects the second and third compartments  118 ,  122 . Alternatively, the third compartment  122  may be used to store tools. 
     A slide valve  250  is mounted to the second panel  162  and is positioned to control the flow of feed from the conduit  72 . Without the slide valve  250 , the feed contained in the first compartment  42  would immediately be drained if the control unit (feed dispenser assembly)  196  is removed for servicing. The skirt  208  is also selectively removable. 
     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.