Abstract:
An animal feeder includes a support frame directly attachable to the walls of an enclosure. A feed bowl is mounted on a mounting frame which mates with the support frame. A spring-biased releasing mechanism releases the feed bowl and associated mounting frame from the support frame for cleaning.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to animal husbandry and more particularly to animal feeders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In animal care facilities such as kennels, animal hospitals, as well as research laboratories, care must be exercised to maintain a sanitary environment for the animal in order to meet stringent animal care regulations. Floor-type feed bowls can be easily removed from an animal&#39;s enclosure and thus facilitate cleaning. However, floor-type feed bowls are easily contaminated by dirt, animal excrement, and other debris within the enclosure and must be frequently cleaned. Additionally, floor-type feed bowls are subject to overturning resulting in significant waste of food. 
     While some effort has been made to develop floor-type feed bowls which are not easily overturned, a more practical solution is to mount the feed bowl on the wall of the enclosure. This greatly reduces the risk of contamination by raising the bowl above the floor of the enclosure. However, a wall or cage mounted feed bowl has some drawbacks. 
     A cage or wall mounted feeder is not as easily cleaned due to its attachment to the walls of the enclosure. Thus, it is necessary to enter the enclosure when cleaning the animal feeder. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     After much research and study into the foregoing problems the present invention was developed to provide a cage or wall mounted animal feeder which is capable of being quickly removed for sanitizing. This is accomplished by mounting a support frame to the wall of the enclosure which is designed to releasably mate with a mounting frame attached to the back of the feed bowl. Spring-biased retaining means allow the bowl to be quickly removed for sanitizing. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for mounting an animal feeder on the wall of an enclosure wherein the animal is kept. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal feeder having a detachable feed bowl which can be removed for sanitizing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick release mechanism for releasing the feed bowl from its support structure. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a feed bowl that is sturdy in construction and which cannot be destroyed by the animal. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the animal feeder of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof showing the feed bowl separated from its support frame; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the support frame thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof with the feed bowl disengaged and in an inclined state; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof with the feed bowl fully engaged. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings the animal feeder of the present invention as shown therein and indicated generally by numeral 10. The animal feeder 10 includes a feed bowl indicated generally at 12 and a mounting structure indicated generally at 14. 
     Looking at feed bowl 12 in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a back 16, sides 18 and 20, an arcuate front portion 22 and an open top 24. The feed bowl is constructed of a USDA-FDA approved material such as injection molded high density polyethylene. 
     Attached to the back 16 of feed bowl 12 is a mounting frame 26 secured by means of a conventional hex bolt and nut assembly 28. The mounting frame 26 includes a back portion 30, a flange portion 32 extending along the upper edge thereof, and an angled portion 34. An opening 36 is formed in the center of flange portion 32 as can be best seen in FIG. 2. 
     The mounting frame 26 is designed to mate with a corresponding support frame 38 which is mounted directly to a wall or fence forming the enclosure. In the embodiment shown, support frame 38 is mounted on a chain link fence, which is sandwiched between support frame 38 and a support plate 40. The support frame 38 and support plate 40 are held together by four conventional hex bolts and wing nut assemblies 42 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the support frame can be fastened to a wall by suitable hardware such as wood screws, in the case of a wood wall. (FIGS. 4 &amp; 5) Side retainer plates 58 are formed on each end of flange 46 the purpose of which will become apparent from subsequent portions of this disclosure. 
     Support frame 38 includes a back portion 44, a flange 46 extending along the upper edge along back portion 44, and an upturned portion 48 defining an upwardly opening channel 50. A spring-biased retaining pin 52 is mounted at the center of the flange 46 and includes a projecting member 54 which extends through flange 46. By pulling upwardly on the top 56 of the retaining pin 52, the projecting member 54 will be moved upwardly to permit the mounting frame 26 to be inserted into the support frame 38. (FIG. 4) Upon releasing the retaining pin 52 the same will turned to its usual downward position. Since spring-biased retaining pins of this type are well-known to those skilled in the art and readily commercially available, further detailed discussion of the same is not deemed necessary. 
     To use the animal feeder 10 of the present invention, the support frame 38 is mounted to the wall of the enclosure as hereinabove described. While the embodiment shown contemplates connection with a chain link enclosure, it is appreciated that the support frame 38 may be mounted directly to a concrete or steel wall with suitable hardware such as anchor bolts or wood screws. (See for instance, FIGS. 4 &amp; 5) 
     The front portion 22 of the feed bowl 12 is grasped in one hand and tilted slightly forwardly as shown in FIG. 4. With the feed bowl 12 leaning forwardly, the edge of the angled portion 34 is inserted into the upwardly opening channel 50 formed by the upturned portion 48 of support frame 38. 
     With the free hand, the spring-biased retaining pin 52 is pulled upwardly while the top of the mounting frame 26 is pushed back against the back portion 44 of support frame 38 to the position shown in FIG. 5. When the retaining pin 52 is released, the projecting member 54 will be extended through the opening 36 in the center of flange portion 30 thereby securing the feed bowl to the support frame 38. 
     To remove the feed bowl, the retaining pin 52 is pulled upwardly and the feed bowl is leaned forwardly so as to clear the projecting member 54. The feed bowl can then be lifted from the upwardly opening channel 50 in the support frame 38 and taken to a remote location for sanitizing. 
     From the foregoing, it is apparent that the animal feeder of the present invention greatly facilitates the cleaning of an animal&#39;s enclosure and creates a more sanitary environment for the animal. 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended Claims are intended to be embraced therein.