Patent Publication Number: US-2005126501-A1

Title: Feeder and methods for dispensing feed for birds and /or animals

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/651,470, filed Aug. 29, 2003, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to apparatuses and methods for dispensing feed and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods of dispensing feed, feed supplements, grain, seed, etc. to wild birds and/or wild animals.  
      2. Description of the Invention Background  
      Over the years, a variety of different feeders and methods have been employed to dispense feed, seed, grain, corn, etc. to wild game birds and animals such as, for example, wild turkey, quail, pheasant, deer, etc. Such devices typically employ large containers or reservoirs designed to hold the feed prior to being dispensed therefrom. The feed is typically permitted to exit the container through holes fabricated directly into the container bottom. In some applications, the container is suspended above the ground to permit a battery powered dispensing apparatus to fling the feed or grain in an area around the feeder to permit easier access to the feed by several birds and/or animals at one time.  
      Those feeders that use a dedicated container or reservoir, however, are cumbersome to store and ship due to the size of the container, many of which may hold 55 gallons or more. Also, such feeders lack means for controlling the dispersal rate of the feed. Thus, there is a need for a feeder apparatus that can be readily employed with commonly available containers such as 55 gallon drums and the like for dispensing wildlife feed, grain, supplements, etc. There is a further need for a feeder that has means for controlling the feed dispersal rate.  
     SUMMARY  
      In order to address the above-described needs, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a feed dispensing apparatus for use with a feed containing container that has bottom that has at least one hole therethrough. This embodiment of the present invention comprises a dispensing member that is attachable to the container adjacent to the bottom of the container. The dispensing member has a perimeter with at least one access opening therethrough and a bottom tray for collecting feed that flows through the holes in the bottom of the container. The dispensing member may be clamped to the container. In addition, this embodiment may include a leg assembly for supporting the container above a surface. The dispensing member may be attached to the leg assembly and the leg assembly may be clamped to the container. The dispensing member may have a perimetrical shape that is substantially identical to the perimetrical shape of the container. If desired, a hollow drop tube may also be employed. The drop tube may be suspended through the hole in the bottom of the container such that the end of the drop tube is located relative to the bottom tray of the dispensing member such that a desired flow of feed through the tube onto the tray is achieved. In one embodiment, the drop tube is telescopic.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a feed dispensing kit for use with a container having a bottom. The kit may include a dispensing member having a perimeter with at least one access hole therethrough. The dispensing member may have a bottom tray and attachment apparatus is used to attach the dispensing member to the container such that the dispensing member is adjacent the bottom of the container and the bottom tray is oriented to catch feed that falls through a hole provided in the bottom of the container.  
      Yet another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a method of fabricating a feeder. The method may include forming at least one hole in a bottom of a container and attaching a dispensing member having a bottom and a perimeter with at least one access opening therethrough to the container such that feed exiting the container through the hole is received on the bottom tray of the dispensing member. One embodiment of the method includes clamping the dispensing member to the container. Another embodiment includes supporting the bottom of the container above a surface. Still another embodiment may include attaching a leg assembly to the container such that the leg assembly supports the container above the surface. Yet another embodiment may include controlling flow of feed exiting through the hole in the bottom of the container. The controlling may comprise inserting a hollow dispensing tube into the hole in the bottom of the container such that a bottom end protrudes therefrom and moving the bottom end of the hollow dispensing tube relative to the bottom tray of the dispensing member to a position wherein a desired amount of feed flows onto the bottom tray.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention comprises feed dispensing apparatus for use with a feed containing container having a bottom with at least one hole therethrough. In one embodiment, the feed dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing member that is attachable to the container adjacent to the bottom of the container. The dispensing member has a perimeter with at least one access opening therethrough and a bottom tray for collecting feed that flows through the at least one hole in the bottom of the container. At least one suspension assembly is attachable to the container for suspending the container from a structure.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a feed dispensing kit for use with a container that has a bottom with at least one hole therethrough. In one embodiment the kit comprises a dispensing member that has a perimeter with at least one access hole therethrough. The dispensing member also has a bottom tray. An attachment apparatus for attaching the dispensing member to the container such that the dispensing member is adjacent the bottom of the container and the bottom tray is oriented to catch feed that falls through a hole provided in the bottom of the container is also included. The kit may further include at least one hollow tube member that corresponds to at least one of the holes through the container bottom. Each hollow tube member has a lower end sized to extend through the corresponding hole in the bottom of the container and a flanged upper end that has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the corresponding hole through which the lower end extends.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of selling feed dispensing apparatus for use with a container that has a bottom with at least one hole therethrough. One version of the method comprises providing a dispensing member that has a perimeter with at least one access hole therethrough and is configured to receive the container thereon. The dispensing member also includes a bottom tray. The method further includes providing at least one hollow tube member that corresponds to at least one of the holes through the container bottom. The hollow tube member is sized to be suspended from the container bottom and to direct feed materials within the container through the hole onto the bottom tray of the dispensing member. In addition, the method includes selling the dispensing apparatus and the at least one hollow tube member as a kit.  
      The reader will appreciate the foregoing details and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention. The reader also may comprehend such additional advantages and details of the present invention upon carrying out or using the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the accompanying Figures, there are shown present embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts and wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a feeder embodiment of the present invention employing a conventional container such as a 55 gallon drum;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a dispensing member of one embodiment of the present invention prior to being formed into a ring;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing ring and leg assembly of one embodiment of the present invention supporting a conventional container thereon;  
       FIG. 4  is a partial elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention supporting a container thereon;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a dispensing ring and leg assembly of one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing ring and drop tube assembly used in connection with a conventional container;  
       FIG. 7  is a partial elevational view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a feeder embodiment of the present invention illustrating the use of a funnel therein; and  
       FIG. 9  is a is a perspective view of another feeder embodiment of the present invention employing a conventional container such as a 55 gallon drum and being suspended from a structure such as a tree limb.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the present embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same, the Figures show a feeder assembly  10  that employs various aspects and components of one embodiment of the present invention. The feeder  10  may be used to dispense a variety of different types of feed such as, for example, bird seed, corn and other grains, commercially prepared feed and feed supplements, etc. that may be ingested by, for example, wild birds (e.g., wild turkey, quail, pheasant, ducks, geese, etc.) and/or wild animals (dear, bear, elk, wild boar, etc.). It is conceivable, however, that the unique and novel features of the various embodiments of the present invention may also be effectively employed for dispensing seed, feed, feed mixes, etc. to domestic birds and livestock if desired. Thus, the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to applications primarily directed to feeding wild birds and other wildlife. As used herein, the term “feed” shall encompass grains, seeds and commercially prepared feed mixes and feed supplements for all types of wild birds, wild animals, domestic birds and domestic livestock that may be gravity fed or otherwise dispensed from a container.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , certain aspects of various embodiments of the present invention make it well-suited for use with a conventional container  12  such as, for example, a 55 gallon drum. The drum  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  is a conventional 55 gallon drum of steel construction that has a removable lid or closure member  13 . The various embodiments of the present invention, however, may be employed with a variety of other sizes, shapes and types of containers without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the container may be fabricated from plastic or other materials and hold a greater or lesser amount of material than would a 55 gallon drum.  
      One embodiment of the present invention includes a dispensing ring  20  which may be made from, for example, 16 gauge sheet metal, steel, stainless steel, etc. and have a perimetrical shape that is substantially similar to the perimetrical shape of the container  12 . The dispensing ring  20  may be painted, powder coated, etc. to protect it from the elements. Dispensing ring  20  may also be conceivably fabricated from plastic or the like.  FIG. 2  illustrates a layout for a dispensing member  21  used to form a dispensing ring  20  of one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in that Figure, attachment tabs  22  may be provided on each end of the dispensing member  21 . In this embodiment, the dispensing member  21  may be provided with a length “A” such that when the two tabs  22  are overlapped and joined together by, for example, spot welding, screws, rivets, etc., the diameter of the ring  20  formed thereby is such that it may be received within the area formed by the downwardly protruding bottom flange  14  of a container  12 . See  FIG. 3 . For example, in one embodiment, a dispensing member  21  having a length “A” of 5′- 10¾″ will form a ring (having an outside diameter of approximately  22¼″) that fits snugly within the area defined by the downwardly projecting bottom flange  14  and the bottom  16  of a conventional steel 55 gallon drum. Thus, such arrangement permits the container  12  to be removably supported on the dispensing ring if so desired. In applications employing a container which lacks such a downwardly protruding bottom flange, the dispensing ring  20  may be sized such that it has a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the container  12 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing ring  20  may be fabricated from a plastic material and be formed by gluing, riveting, etc. the ends together. In other embodiments, the dispensing ring may be of molded construction.  
      In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a bottom lip portion  26  is integrally formed around the lower edge of dispensing ring  20 . A bottom tray  28  is then attached to the lip  26 , or end of the dispensing ring  20  by suitable fastening methods such as, for example, welding, screwing, riveting, gluing, etc. See  FIG. 3 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , a series of access holes  24  may be provided in the perimeter of dispensing member  21 . In one embodiment wherein the dispensing ring has a height “B” of 7″, 15 dispensing holes  24  are provided. In this embodiment, each hole  24  may have a height “C” of 5″ and a width “D” of 2¾″. The spaces “E” and “E′” between the holes  24  may be 2½″ and 1¾″, respectively. This dispensing hole configuration has been found to be well-suited for enabling wild turkey to access the feed that drops onto the bottom tray  28  while limiting the accessibility of non-target animals such as deer, etc. However, other hole shapes, sizes, numbers and configurations may be used, depending upon the target animal.  
      In one embodiment, the dispensing ring  20  may be coupled to the container  12  by a leg assembly generally designated as  30 . The leg assembly  30  may include legs  32  that may be fabricated from, for example, metal angles that are configured as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Leg assembly  30  may be painted, powder coated, etc. to protect it from the elements. In particular, each leg  32  may have an upper portion  34  and a lower portion  36  that is oriented at an angle “F” relative to the upper portion  34 . In one embodiment, for example, angle “F” may be approximately 24 degrees. In other embodiments, legs  32  are substantially straight and do not have an angled portion. In one embodiment, the upper portion may have a length “G” of approximately 1′-1″ and lower leg portion  36  may have lengths “H” and “I” of 1′-4″ and 1′-3¾″, respectively. Other shapes, numbers and sizes and configurations of legs may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also in this embodiment, a foot pad  38  may be attached or formed from the bottom leg portion  36  as shown in  FIG. 5 . One or more mounting holes  40  may be provided through each foot pad  38  to enable an anchor member (i.e., stake, nail, etc.) to be inserted therethrough to enable the feeder  10  to be anchored to the ground, platform, etc.  
      As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper leg portion  34  of each leg  32  may be attached to the dispensing ring  20  by, for example, screws or bolts  42 . However, the upper portions  34  of the legs  32  may be attached to the dispensing ring  20  by other suitable fastening methods, such as welding, riveting, gluing, etc. In this embodiment, to facilitate fastening of the leg assembly  30  and the dispensing ring  20  to the container  12 , at least one fastening strap  50  is employed.  
      In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a clamping assembly  50  may be employed to clamp the leg assembly to the container or to merely support the container on the dispensing ring. Clamping assembly  50  may comprise one or more fastening straps  51  which may each comprise, for example, a single 1″×⅛″ steel strap that is attached to the upper portion  34  of each leg  32  by, for example, welding, screws, rivets, etc. Fastening straps  51  may also comprise a series of strap segments  52  that have a tab  54  folded on each end for attachment to a corresponding leg  32  by, for example, bolts  56 . Straps  51  may be fabricated from other suitable materials and be attached to the legs  32  by other suitable means, such as, welding, rivets, gluing, etc. For example, fastening straps could conceivably be fabricated from fabric and be attached to the legs by bolts, screws, etc. As most particularly shown in  FIG. 5 , each strap  51  has two free ends  60  that have a hole therethrough for receiving a corresponding tightening device in the form of a tightening bolt  64 . Thus, in this embodiment, the dispensing ring  20  and leg assembly  30  are clamped to the container  12  by the straps  51 .  
      To use this embodiment of the present invention, at least one dispensing hole  17  is provided through the bottom  16  of the container  14  to permit the feed which is in the container  12  to drop through the bottom of the container  12  onto the bottom tray  28  of the dispensing ring  20 . The size and number of holes may be designed and arranged to achieve a desired flow of feed onto the bottom tray  28 . Birds and/or animals are then are able to access the feed falling onto the bottom tray  28  through the holes  24  in the perimeter of the dispensing ring  20 .  
      To advantageously control the amount or rate of feed dropping onto the bottom tray  28  of the dispensing ring  20 , an adjustable drop tube  70  may be provided. More particularly and with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the drop tube  70  may be telescopic in nature and include a hollow tube portion  72  and a lower adjustment sleeve  74 . The hollow tube portion  72  is sized to extend through the hole  17  in the bottom  16  of the container  12 . The upper end of the tube portion  72  may have a flanged portion  73  formed thereon that has a larger diameter “J” than the diameter “K” of hole  17  for suspending the drop tube from the bottom of the container as shown. Sleeve  74  is sized to slidably telescope relative to the tube portion  72  and be retained in a desired position by, for example, one or more set screws  80 .  
      To use the telescoping drop tube  70  of this embodiment, the user forms a hole  17  in the bottom  16  of the container  12  that has a diameter “K” that is large enough to permit the hollow tube portion  72  to extend therethrough, yet is smaller in diameter than diameter “J” of the upper flange  73 , such that the tube portion  72  may be suspended from the bottom  16  of the container  12  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The telescopic sleeve  74  is then slid onto the tube portion  72  to a desired location thereon and the set screw(s)  80  are tightened to retain it in position. Portions  72  and  74  may be fabricated from metal tubing or the like or they may be fabricated (casted) from metal or plastic. The user may then place the container  12  onto the dispensing ring  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , as then tighten the tightening bolt(s)  64  to clamp the dispensing ring  20  and leg assembly  30  to the container  12 . The reader will appreciate that the order of these assembly actions may vary. For example, the dispensing ring  20  and leg assembly  30  may be coupled to the container  12  and then the drop tube portion  72  is inserted through the hole  17 . For those embodiments that have holes  24  in the dispensing ring  20  that are large enough to permit one to reach therethrough to manipulate the sleeve  74 , the distance “L” between the bottom of sleeve and the bottom tray  28  of the dispensing ring  20  may be adjusted after the dispensing ring  20  and leg assembly  30  have been coupled to the container. See  FIG. 6 . The user simply loosens the set screw(s)  80  and slides the sleeve  74  on the tube  72  until a desired distance “L” is achieved. The user then places the feed into the container  12  and by altering the amount of clearance “L” between the end of the sleeve  74  and the bottom tray  28 , the user can control the rate at which the feed disperses onto the bottom tray  28  through the drop tube  70 . The birds and/or animals access the feed through the holes  24  in the dispensing ring  20 .  
      In another embodiment, the drop tube  70  may be sized such that the end thereof is a desired distance from the bottom tray  28  when the drop tube is installed in the above-described manner. Thus, the bottom sleeve may not be required in that embodiment. In addition, to provide the user with flexibility of adapting the feeding apparatus to different types of feed or other materials, several drop tubes, each having a different length, may be provided with the dispensing ring as a kit. The user can then simply install the tube that provides the most advantageous flow characteristics. Still in other applications, the user may find it advantageous to use a plurality of holes and drop tubes to achieve a desired flow and dispersal rate of feed onto the tray of the drop ring.  
      In another embodiment, to facilitate easy entry of the feed into the drop tube  70 , a funnel  100  may be supplied. The funnel  100  has an outer circumference that is slightly less than the inner diameter of the container  12  such that it may be positioned therein as shown in  FIG. 8 . The funnel  100  may be sized to direct the feed material into the drop tube  70  while prohibiting flow of feed material between the outer circumference of the funnel  100  and the inner surface of the container  12 .  
      A variety of different variations on the foregoing described embodiments are encompassed by various embodiments of the present invention. For example, for those applications wherein it is desirable to suspend the feeder  10 ′ from a structure  200  such as a tree, etc., the lower leg portions may be omitted. See  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the dispensing ring  20  may be attached to the bottom of the container  12  utilizing a clamping assembly  50 ′ that includes a fastening strap  51 ′ and tightening bolt arrangements  64 ′ similar in construction and use to those clamping assemblies  50  described above. In alternative embodiments, the dispensing ring  20  may be attached to the bottom of the container  12  by other fastener arrangements such as by bolts, screws, rivets, welds, glue, etc. The feeder  10 ′ may be suspended from the tree or structure by a suspension assembly  210 . In one embodiment, the suspension assembly  210  may comprise one or more tension members  220  which may comprise, for example, chains, cables, rope, etc. In one embodiment, the tension members  220  are attached to the container  12  by a clamping assembly  50 ″ that is similar in construction and operation as the clamping assemblies  50 ,  50 ′ described in detail above (without the legs attached thereto). In alternate embodiments, the tension members  220  may be attached to the container  12  by other fastener arrangements such as by screws, bolts, etc.  
      The reader will appreciate that the above-described strap arrangements permit the dispensing ring, leg assembly (if employed), suspension assembly (if employed) to be attached to the container without forming additional fastening holes in the container which could permit the infiltration of moisture into the container. However, other fastening arrangements could be employed. The leg assembly, the dispensing ring, and or the suspension assembly could be attached to the container by, for example, welding, screws, rivets, glue etc. The shape and size of the dispensing ring may be tailored to the shape and size of the container with which it is to be used. It is conceivable that the dispensing ring  20  may be sized to support the container thereon without being attached to the container. If legs are employed, the legs may simply be attached to the dispensing ring  20  and not to the container. Thus, in such embodiment, the container simply sits on the dispensing ring.  
      The size and number of dispensing holes  24  provided in the dispensing ring  20  may be tailored to the type of feed being dispensed and the type of animal or bird to be fed, so that access by non-target animals is limited. It is also conceivable that more than one dispensing tube  70  may be employed in a single container to achieve a desired dispersal rate on the bottom tray  28 . It is also conceivable that one or more dispensing tubes could be employed along with one or more additional holes (without such tubes) through the bottom of the container to achieve a desired drop and dispersal of the feed on the bottom tray  28 .  
      Another advantage provided by various embodiments of the present invention is the ability for a supplier of the present invention to supply various embodiments of the present invention in the form of a kit that can be used in connection with conventional types of containers such as conventional drums and the like which are readily accessible all over the country, without having to ship the container to the purchaser. The supplier can ship the kit to the user and the user can supply the container. This avoids additional shipping costs which could be significant when large containers are involved.  
      The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments are therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby.