Patent Abstract:
A hog feeder with an adjustable gate mechanism is disclosed which comprises a feed hopper for receiving and storing a supply of flowable, dry hog feed to be gravity dispensed from discharge openings in the lower longitudinal portions of the hopper, for consumption by hogs over a length of time. The flow of hog feed from the discharge openings is controlled by a pair of slideable gates, each having a cam actuated adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a number of receiving notches on each side of the hopper corresponding to a filly open gate setting, a fully closed gate setting, and a plurality of intermediate gate settings. Positioning a selection lever within a desired notch shifts the corresponding slideable gate to the selected position by way of a sliding cam arrangement. The sliding cam arrangement transfers lateral motion of the selection lever into vertical motion of the slideable gate, allowing for opening and closing of the discharge openings.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/087,836, filed Jun. 3, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to feeders for animals such as hogs, and more particularly to feeders of the type in which feed is dispensed from a bottom opening of an inclined hopper onto a shelf, the flow of feed controlled by means of vertically adjustable gates located at the bottom of the hopper which are actuated by means of a sliding cam member. 
     Traditional hog feeders comprise a feed trough with a feed hopper located above the trough. The feed hopper includes a pair of vertically aligned end walls and a pair of inclined and inwardly sloping longitudinal sides. A bottom discharge opening is located along each longitudinal side to allow feed contained within the hopper to gravity dispense into the trough. The size of each discharge opening is generally determined by a slideable gate positioned, adjacent the discharge opening and controlled by an adjustment mechanism. A typical adjustment mechanism, such as is shown in FIGS. 1-2 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,798 to Brent A. King, employs a pair of threaded rods, R 1 -R 2  and R 3 -R 4 , each secured adjacent opposite ends of the slideable gate G, and extending vertically upward through a bushing B disposed in a horizontal cross-member H traversing the upper end of the hopper. The upper end of each rod is threaded to receive a threaded handle T, such that rotation of the threaded handled either raises or lowers the associated rod and the slideable gate G, relative to the horizontal cros-member H. Raising the gate increases the size of the discharge opening  0  through which the feed contained in the hopper may flow, and conversely, lowering the gate permits a reduction or stoppage of the feed flow. 
     Several drawbacks are apparent in the traditional hog feeder design. First, the adjustment mechanism for operating the slideable gates is disposed within the interior space of the hopper, and hence is continually surrounded by the feed stored within the hopper. This can lead to clogging or difficulty in operating the slideable gates, as the feed may interfere with the adjustment mechanisms. Second, the procedure by which a single slideable gate is adjusted requires the rotational actuation of two separate threaded handles, a time-consuming and tedious process. Without the operator carefully tracking the number of complete revolutions made by each handle, it is difficult to ensure the slideable gates are uniformly adjusted from one end to the other, and in comparison to the gate on the opposite side. Furthermore, the operator is often required to move around to the opposite side of the feeder to determine the actual adjustment of the second gate, often necessitating entering a second hog pen. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to produce an adjustment mechanism for a hog feed having slideable gates which is not substantially disposed within the interior space of the feed hopper, and which employs a simple and efficient operating mechanism, allowing simultaneous adjustment of both ends of a gate, and operation of both gates from either side of the hopper. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     The provision of a new and improved hog feeder having a feed trough and a feed hopper, the feed hopper including slideable gates controlled by an cam driven adjustment mechanism; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to allow operator actuation of the slideable gates on opposite sides of the hopper from either side; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a fully open setting, a fully closed setting, and a number of intermediate settings for each slideable gate; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to permit animal agitation of the slideable gates to facilitate the dispersal of feed; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein the adjustment mechanism is isolated from any vertical motion of the slideable gates caused by the animal gate agitation; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein a portion of said adjustment mechanism is disposed external to said hopper interior space; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein said adjustment mechanism is configured to actuate a single gate through manual displacement of a single element; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder which eliminates the need for a plurality of threaded handles; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder which facilitates accurate adjustment of gates on opposite sides of the feeder from a single location; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder which is configured to permit adjustment of the gates from a location remote to the feeder; 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein said adjustment mechanism is constructed with reversible components to simply installation on opposite sides of the feed hopper; and 
     The provision of the aforementioned hog feeder wherein said adjustment mechanism is simple to operate, easy to install, and cost efficient. 
     Briefly stated, the hog feeder with the adjustable gate mechanism of the present invention comprises a feed hopper for receiving and storing a supply of flowable, dry hog feed to be gravity dispensed from discharge openings in the lower longitudinal portions of the hopper for consumption by hogs over a length of time. The flow of hog feed from the discharge openings is controlled by a pair of slideable gates each having a cam actuated adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes receiving notches on each side of the hopper corresponding to a fully open gate setting, a fully closed gate setting, and a plurality of intermediate gate settings. By positioning a selection lever within a desired notch, the corresponding slideable gate is shifted to the selected position by means of a sliding cam arrangement. The sliding cam arrangement transfers lateral motion of the selection lever into vertical motion of the slideable gate, allowing for opening and closing without the need for the rotation of threaded handles. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art hog feeder with threaded adjustment handles; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustment mechanism and slideable gate for the prior art hog feeder shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3A is an side sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the adjustment mechanisms in the fully open position, with the maximum displacement of the slideable gates; 
     FIG. 3B is a side view of an inner transverse wall of the hopper, illustrating an adjustment mechanism and slideable gate in the fully open position shown in FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 3C is an enlarged side sectional view of section  3 C— 3 C in FIG. 3A, illustrating the slideable gate and attachment elements in the fully open position; 
     FIG. 3D is an enlarged side sectional view of section  3 D— 3 D in FIG. 3A, illustrating the adjustment mechanism cam elements in the fully open position, with the selector tab engaged; 
     FIG. 3E is an enlarged side sectional view of section  3 E— 3 E in FIG. 3A, illustrating the adjustment mechanism cam elements with the selector tab disengaged, in preparation for adjustment of the sliding gate position; 
     FIG. 3F is partial side view of an inner transverse wall of the hopper, illustrating the vertical movement interaction of a connecting rod and bracket in the adjustment mechanism; 
     FIG. 4A is an side sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 3A, illustrating the adjustment mechanisms and slideable gates in the fully closed position; 
     FIG. 4B is a side view of an inner transverse wall of the hopper, similar to FIG. 3B, illustrating an adjustment mechanism and slideable gate in the fully closed position shown in FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 4C is an enlarged side sectional view of section  4 C— 4 C in FIG. 4A, illustrating the slideable gate and attachment elements in the fully closed position; 
     FIG. 5A is an side sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 3A, illustrating the adjustment mechanisms and slideable gates in an intermediate position; 
     FIG. 5B is a side view of an inner transverse wall of the hopper, similar to FIG. 3B, illustrating an adjustment mechanism and slideable gate in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side section view of section  6 — 6  in FIG. 5A, illustrating the slideable gate and attachment elements in an intermediate position, and further illustrating alternative embodiments of the slideable gates, wherein one gate is configured to allow for lateral displacement, and the opposite gate is constrained against lateral displacement; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged side section view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating alternate sectional configurations for one slideable gate, facilitating the passage of the gate through dispensed feed and any agitation by a feeding animal; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a adjustment mechanism bracket including a cam track and a plurality of receiving notches; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the linkage bar element of the adjustment mechanism, including dimensions of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10A is a side view of a connecting rod element of the adjustment mechanism including dimensions of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10B is a front view of the connecting rod element shown in FIG. 10A, including dimensions of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the connecting rod element shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, including dimensions of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of the locking element of the adjustment mechanism, including dimensions of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of an inner transverse wall of the hopper, illustrating the reversible placement of the adjustment mechanism brackets; 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of the hog feeder of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3A,  4 A, and  5 A; 
     FIG. 14A is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, illustrating adjustment arm extensions for slideable adjustment of the hog feeder discharge openings from outside of a feeding pen; 
     FIG. 14B is an enlarged top view of section  14 B- 14 B in FIG. 14A, illustrating the connection between the adjustment arm extensions and the adjustment mechanism; 
     FIG. 14C is an enlarged top view of section  14 C- 14 C in FIG. 14A, illustrating a locking mechanism for the adjustment arm extensions; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 15, illustrating the transverse rod and indexing rack; 
     FIG. 17 is a second top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, illustrating the independent placement of the transverse rod on opposite sides of the hopper; 
     FIG. 19 is a top perspective view illustrating the independent placement of the transverse rod as seen in FIG. 18, from a different viewpoint; 
     FIG. 20 is a side view of a single sheet of material comprising a side wall  18  of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of a horizontal cam track; 
     FIG. 22 is a side view similar to FIG. 20, illustrating the assembled side wall, adjustment mechanism, and connecting rods; 
     FIG. 23 is a combination view of a portion of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 23, illustrating the connections between the various components; 
     FIG. 25 is a partial view of a third preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism, incorporating the connecting rod in a variety of possible positions; 
     FIG. 26 is a mounting bracket for use with the embodiment shown in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25; and 
     FIG. 28 is a locking bar employed in the embodiment shown in FIG.  25 . 
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 3-5, indicated generally at  10  is a hog feeder comprising a pair of end walls  12 ,  12  between which extends a trough indicated generally at  14 . Located above trough  14  and between end walls  12 ,  12  is a hopper indicated generally at  16  and having a pair of mutually converging inclined transverse sidewalls  18 ,  18  each extending downwardly and inwardly toward a hopper bottom discharge opening  20 . Hopper  16  comprises a structure for storing dry, flowable, animal feed and for dispensing the feed through the hopper bottom discharge opening  20 . In the preferred embodiment, feeder  10  is generally constructed of light-gauge sheet metal, cut, rolled, and formed into the desired components described herein. 
     Located at the bottom of each inclined hopper sidewall  18  is a slideable gate  22 . As best seen in FIGS. 3A,  4 A, and  5 A, each gate  22  is slideably secured adjacent the outer surface of an inclined sidewall  18  by a pair of bushings  24 ,  24  each mounted on a respective threaded bolt  26 ,  26  passing through the inclined sidewall  18 , adjacent an end wall  12 , and through vertically aligned slots  28 , 28  in slideable gate  22 . Each bushing  24  comprises a tubular body  29  having an outer diameter sized to fit within slot  28 , and an enlarged base flange  30 . As is best seen in FIGS. 3C and 4C, the vertically aligned slots  28 ,  28  of slideable gate  22  are fitted over bolts  26 ,  26 , upon which bushings  24 ,  24  are then placed. The tubular body  29  of each bushing  24  passes through the slot  28 , and seats against the outer surface of the inclined sidewall  18 . A retaining nut  32  is then threaded onto bolt  26 , retaining the slideable gate in vertically movable relation to the bushings  24 ,  24  and bolts  26 , 26 . 
     As seen in FIG. 6, the length of tubular body  29  on bushing  24  is sufficient to permit some degree of rotational motion R of the slideable gate  22  about the bushing. This rotational motion allows a hog or other animal feeding at the trough to nudge the slideable gate  22 , facilitating the flow of feed into the trough  14  from the hopper  16 . The degree of rotational movement permitted about the bushing is controlled by the placement of washers  34  over tubular body  29 , between the slideable gate  22  and the enlarged base flange  30 . As seen in FIG. 6, the inclusion of two washers  34 ,  34  is sufficient to prevent any rotational movement of the slideable gate, constraining all gate motion to inclined opening and closing, allowing greater control over the amount of feed flowing into trough  14 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the slideable gate is received between the outer surface of an inclined sidewall  18  and a pair of guide members  36 ,  36  each mounted on a respective feeder end wall  12  adjacent the inclined sidewall  18 . Each guide member  36  is inclined at the same angle as the inclined sidewall  18 , and is spaced outwardly from the sidewall. Each inclined sidewall  18  and its associated pair of inclined guide members  34 ,  34 , constitute structure mounting a slideable gate  22  for sliding movement along the sidewall  18  in the direction of inclination. Each guide member  36  has an L-shaped cross section comprising one flange  38  attached to an end wall  12 , as by welding, and another flange  40  for engaging and guiding the slideable gate  22 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional means for retaining the slideable gate  22  in a vertically sliding relation to the inclined sidewall  18  may be employed within the scope of this invention. 
     Each slideable gate  22  has a lower edge  42 , with the distance between the gate&#39;s lower edge  42  and the trough  14  defining the size of the hopper&#39;s bottom discharge opening  20 . The lower edge  42  of each slideable gate is formed by rolling and bending a lip  44  into the material comprising slideable gate  22 . As seen in FIG. 7, different configurations for edge  42  are within the scope of this invention, and may be constructed by well known metal forming techniques. The embodiment of edge  42 , shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 7, is configured to permit the  5  slideable gate  22  to easily cut-through any feed which has been dispensed through the discharge opening  20 , as the gate is lowered. Similarly, the embodiment shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 7 is adapted such that lip  44  will push any dispensed feed out, away from the discharge opening  20  as the gate is lowered. Additional configurations for the slideable gates are readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and include a box-configuration, wherein the gate is formed from a single sheet of a light gauge metal, folded and formed into a elongated and enclosed channel or box. A channel or box construction is highly resistant to torsional bending along the length of the gate, and may be further reinforced by filling the internal spacing of the channel with a porous foam or similar material. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3B,  3 D,  4 B and  4 D, a first preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism indicated generally at  100  for the slideable gate  22  is shown. The adjustment mechanism  100  comprises a pair of adjustment brackets  102 ,  102  carrying cam tracks  104 ,  104 , and mounted apart at an incline to the inner surface of sidewall  18 , adjacent the upper end of hopper  16 . FIG. 8 illustrates an individual adjustment bracket  102 , preferably formed by cutting and bending a single sheet of metal. The bracket  102 A includes a cam track  104  on the front face  106 , and four mounting holes  108 A- 108 D drilled through side flanges  110 A and  110 B, through which bolts (not shown) are passed to secure the bracket to sidewall  18 . Side flanges  110 A and  110 B additionally serve to space the front face  106  of the bracket away from the sidewall  18 . The bracket  102  further includes an upper surface  112 , through which a number of equally spaced selector openings  114  are formed. The number, size, and spacing of the selector openings  114  correspond to various degrees of opening for slideable gate  22 , and one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous sizes and spacing may be employed to provide desired gate settings. 
     Adjustment mechanism  100  further comprises a pair of connecting rods  116 A and  116 B connecting the slideable gate  22  with the mechanism  100 . Rods  116 A and  116 B are identically constructed, and accordingly only one rod is described below. FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate the several views of rod  116 A, along with dimension for the preferred embodiment. The lower end of rod  116 A is bent perpendicular relative to the shaft portion  118 , forming a gate hook  120 , while the upper end is radiused to provide an elongated loop  122 . 
     As seen in FIGS. 3B and 4B, an adjustment arm  124  links adjustment brackets  102 ,  102 . The adjustment arm, shown in FIG. 9, comprises an elongated strip of metal, with transverse edges  126 ,  126  folded inward and against the front face  128  of the arm, providing reinforcement against bending. A tab  130 A,  130 B extends from each end of arm  124  to provide a mounting point for a cam-retaining bolt. Tab  130 A includes a circular opening  132 , whereas tab  130 B includes an elongated opening  134  to facilitate attachment of a selector guide  136 . 
     Selector guide  136 , shown in FIG. 11, is formed by cutting and bending a flat sheet of rigid material, preferably sheet metal. The selector guide consists of a generally square body portion  138 , through which passes an elongated slot  140 . Tabs  142 A and  142 B extend from left and rights sides of the body portion  138 , and are sized to slide within the folded transverse edges  126 ,  126  of the adjustment arm  124  when the selector guide is secured thereto. One skilled in the art will recognize that the length of tabs  142 A and  142 B may be extended to allow for a greater portion of the selector guide to seat within the folded transverse edges  126 ,  126 , further reinforcing the selector guide against undesired movement. A neck  144 , of narrower width than the body portion, extends from the upper edge of body portion  138 , and terminates in an elongated selector tab  146 . In forming the selector guide  136 , the selector tab  146  is bent perpendicular to the neck  144  along line  148 . Neck  144  is then also bent perpendicular to the body portion  138 , along line  150  and in the same direction as selector tab  146 , such that the selector tab, neck, and body portion form an “n” shape, with the elongated selector tab  146  directed downward, parallel to the body portion  138 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 3B,  4 B, and  5 B, selector guide  136  is secured to the adjustment arm  124  by sliding either tab  142 A or  142 B within the folded transverse edges  126 ,  126 , such that elongated slot  140  aligns with elongated opening  134  in the adjustment arm, and the selector tab  146  is directed downward. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration of the adjustment arm and the selector guide allow for a reversible configuration, i.e. the selector guide may be properly positioned on the left side of the adjustment arm, as opposed to the right side, by simply reversing the adjustment arm and inserting the opposite tab  142 B between the folded transverse edges  126 ,  126 . Such design eliminates the need to maintain a separate inventory of left- and right-handed parts, and facilitates construction of opposite sides of the hog feeder  10 . 
     Turning to FIGS. 3D and 3E, enlarged side section views portions of the assembled, adjustment mechanism are shown. In FIG. 3D, the connecting rod  116 A is shown secured to the adjustment arm  124 , and an elongated cam  152  carried by adjustment bracket  102 . Elongated cam  152  comprises an elongated tubular body  154  of a plastic or similar low-friction and wear resistant material, and an enlarged diameter base flange  156 . A threaded bolt  158 , carrying a washer  160 , elongated cam  152 , and a retaining nut  162  is passed through the elongated loop  122  of rod  116 A and is seated within the cam track  104  of bracket  102 . The cam  152  and bolt  158  further pass through the elongated opening  134  in adjustment arm  124 , and elongated slot  140  in the selector guide. In the illustrated figures, the selector guide  136  is shown secured to the backside of the adjustment arm  124 , however, in an alternate embodiment, the selector guide may be secured to the front face  128  of the adjustment arm, such that the tabs  142 A or  142 B are seated within the space defined by the folded transverse edges  126 ,  126 . Finally, retaining nut  162  is threaded to bolt  158 , adjacent the base flange  156 , retaining the assembly together. The opposite end of the adjustment arm  124 , and second connecting rod  116 B are similarly secured by means of an identical elongated cam  152  to the second retaining bracket comprising the adjustment mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, only one selector guide  136  is employed in the adjustment mechanism on each side of the hog feeder, however, one skilled in the art will recognize that a second selector guide may be included at the opposite end of the adjustment arm from the first selector guide. 
     As shown in FIG. 3D, in the normal or “locked” position, selector tab  146  seats within a selector opening  114  formed in upper surface  112  of the bracket  102 . The selector tab extends sufficiently through selector opening  114  to prevent any lateral movement of the adjustment arm  124 . To adjust the size of the discharge opening  20 , the adjustment arm  124  is moved vertically, with the elongated cam sliding downward in the elongated opening  134  and elongated slot  140 , withdrawing the selector tab  146  from the selector opening, FIG. 3E, and allowing lateral motion of the arm. Lateral motion of the arm causes the elongated cam  152  to follow the cam track  104 . As best seen in FIG. 12, brackets  102  comprising the mounting points for the adjustment mechanism are secured to the transverse sidewall  18  of the hopper  16  at an incline by means of bolts (not shown) passing through openings  160 . Additional openings  160  allow for the brackets  102  to be secured at a variety of incline angles, facilitating the reversal of the adjustment mechanism, as is required for constructing the opposite side of the hopper. The inclined nature of the bracket  102 , and correspondingly, of the cam track  104  translates the lateral motion of the adjustment arm into a corresponding vertical motion in the connecting rods  116 A and  116 B, raising or lowering the slideable gate  22 . Once the desired discharge opening size is achieved, the adjustment arm is then seated, allowing the selector tab  146  to pass through a selector opening  114 . 
     As is readily apparent from FIG. 3F, any vertical movement of the connecting rod  116 A will not be transferred to the selector guide  136 , thereby preventing accidental dislocation of the selector tab  146  from the selector opening  114 . Rather, vertical movement of the connection rod  116 A will always be constrained by the interaction of the upper portion of the elongated loop  122  with the underside of the upper surface  112  of the bracket  102 . Hence, when a hog or other animal feeding at trough  14  presses upward against slideable gate  22 , the gate will be restrained against any undesired vertical movement by the connecting rod  116 A and bracket  102 . In contrast, prior art adjustment mechanisms, such as the threaded rods and handles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are continually agitated by any vertical motion of the slideable gate, resulting in excessive wear and possible premature failure of the components. 
     One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that numerous alterations in the design of the adjustment mechanism described above are possible within the scope of this invention. For example, the adjustment mechanism is not limited to including only two brackets  102  and a single adjustment arm  124  on each side of the feeder, but rather, may employ a number of brackets, and a plurality of interconnected adjustment arms, as is required by the length of the feeder. Similarly, as is shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, an pair of extension arms  164 ,  164  may extend through an end wall  12  of the feeder, and out into an aisle  166  located adjacent the feed pen in which the feeder  10  is placed. Extension arms  164 ,  164  permit an operator to adjust the size of the discharge openings from a remote location. Lateral motion of the extension arms is transferred to the adjustment arm  124  on each adjustment mechanism, raising or lowering the slideable gates  22 ,  22 . To secure the gates in a desired position, the extension arms  164 ,  164 , are provided with a locking tabs  168 ,  168  which seat within spaced receiving holes  170 , disposed adjacent the aisle. Locking tab  168  serves as a functional replacement for selector tab  146  on the selector guide  136 , which is eliminated in this alternate configuration. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 15-24, a second preferred embodiment of the hog feeder  10  of the present invention is shown. Opposite sides of the feeder are constructed in identical fashion, and corresponding reference numbers are used to identify corresponding components. Only one side of the feeder is described in detail below. The slideable gate  22  and associated attachment mechanisms are constructed as described above, sized to regulate the flow of feed from the hopper  16  into the trough  14 . As seen in FIG. 20, an indexing rack  200  is formed in the upper-region of the inclined sidewall  18 , having spaced teeth  202  with a horizontal slot  204 . The perforated lines in FIGS. 20-24 indicate locations along which the material forming the hog feeder is folded or bent to form flanges for the attachment of other components (not shown). At the upper edge, a plurality of bends form an upper retaining flange  203 . A single transverse rod  206  extends between the two sidewalls  18 ,  18  of the feeder, and rests in the recesses between the teeth  202 . On the outside of the side wall  18 , there is a horizontal cam track  208 , shown in FIG. 21, secured to the end of the rod  206 , preferably by means of a retaining nut  207  and washer  209 . The cam track  208  includes one or more sloped or angled cam slots  210  into which are engaged the elongated ends  211  of one or more connecting rods  212 , retained within the slots  210  by additional retaining nuts  207  and washers  209 . Each connecting rod  212  passes through a vertically aligned slot  214  in the sidewall  18 , and extends downward for attachment to the slideable gate  22  by any conventional means, preferably by a hook or loop passing through the gate. The cam track  208  is restrained against upward vertical movement by interaction between the upper edge of the cam track and upper retaining flange  203  formed at the top of sidewall  18 . Downward vertical motion of the cam track is prevented by means of a conventional threaded bolt  216 , passing through a selector hole  218  in sidewall  18 , and carrying a bushing  220  retained by a nut  222 . The lower edge of cam track  208  is prevented from downward vertical motion by the interaction with the bushing  220 . The degree of vertical motion which is permitted in the cam track, and correspondingly, slideable gate  22 , is controlled by the choice of selector hole  218  through which bolt  216  is installed. Selecting a lower selector hole will permit a greater degree of movement of the cam track, and correspondingly, selecting an upper selector hole will essentially eliminate vertical motion. As such, the amount of feed released into the trough  14  from the hopper  16  by agitation of the slideable gate  22  by the feeding animal may be controlled. 
     By moving the transverse rod  206  in the horizontal direction, from one tooth position  202  to another, the horizontal cam track  208  secured to the transverse rod  206  is correspondingly moved in a horizontal direction relative to the upper regions of the hopper  16 , and the upper ends of the connecting rods  212 , which ride in the sloped cam tracks  210 ,  210  are shifted in a vertical direction, moving the slideable gate  22  in a corresponding direction. The motion of the upper ends of the connecting rods  212  is constrained against any horizontal movement by the vertically aligned slot  214 . In this manner, by moving the transverse rod on one side, the corresponding slideable gate  22  is moved vertically so as to regulate the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper  16 . It will be noted that the slope of the cam slots  210  may be varied so as to vary the amount of travel of the slideable gate. By moving the transverse rod in different directions on opposite sides of the feeder, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the slideable gate  22  on one side of the feeder may be adjusted independently from the remaining gate, providing separate gate control. Furthermore, both slideable gates may be adjusted from either side of the feeder, eliminating the need for an operator to circle around the feeder to adjust gates on the opposite side. Additional embodiments may eliminate the teeth  202  in the rack  200 , which may be replaced with an infinitely adjustable slot, and it may be possible to include a friction locking mechanism to retain the slide members (and slideable gates) in any desired fixed position along the path of movement of the slide member. 
     It will be understood that the horizontal slots in the slide members may be replaced by other types of cam mechanisms, and that the degree of agitation motion of the gates may be controlled by various bushing configurations. For example, the cam mechanism shown in FIGS. 25-28 employs a non-uniformly sloped cam track  300 , in which is seated one end of a connecting rod  302 , the opposite end of which is linked to a slideable gate  22  as described above. FIGS. 25 and 27 illustrate the connecting rod  302  in a variety of different positions, each corresponding to a different vertical displacement of the slideable gate. The cam track  300  is formed in a bracket  304 , mounted to the side wall  18  of the hog feeder, by means of bolts (not shown) passing through holes formed in the peripheral flanges  306  of the bracket. When installed, the upper end of the connecting rod extends through slot  310  in the bracket, and is grasped by the operator to adjust the height of the slideable gates. FIG. 27 further illustrates the layout of the bracket prior to bending, with the dashed lines indicative of the locations of folds and bends necessary to form the desired flanges. FIG. 28 illustrates a locking rod  308  which may be employed to secure the connecting rod  302  at a variety of positions within the non-uniformly sloped cam track  300 . The locking rod  308  is rotationally mounted within bracket  304 , such that in a first and vertically aligned position U, the connecting rod  302  is unrestrained, and in a second and horizontally aligned position L, the convolutions of the locking rod interface with the connecting rod  302  to restrain it against any lateral movement. Any vertical motion of the connecting rod  302  is not transferred to the locking rod, but rather is restrained by the interaction of the bracket  304  and the end of the connecting rod  302  in the cam track. 
     While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25-28 is illustrated in the context of a individual connecting rods  302  at each end of a slideable gate  22 , one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the embodiment may be easily adapted with a linkage element (not shown) to  20  enable both sides of a gate to be simultaneously adjusted, or for gates on opposite sides of the feeder to be adjusted from a single location. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0