Abstract:
A method for dispersing feed that includes the steps of providing a feed apparatus configured to contain feed, the feed apparatus having a hopper body with a base, a feed sheet mounted below the base, a powered fan blade coupled with the hopper body, and at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet. The feed sheet is mounted below the base in order to provide distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife, such that the at least one window, the base, and the feed sheet are configured to provide a feed stream in all radial directions as the powered fan blade rotates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/079,880, filed on Mar.28, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to apparatuses and methods for dispensing feed to fish, wildlife or livestock. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to dispensing feed while keeping varmints or other predators from stealing feed. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    It is well known in the art that a variety of different feeders and methods for dispersing feed has been available for both wildlife and livestock, including but not limited to animals, birds, etc. The hoppers typically used in such feeders vary from closed containers or drums to uncovered or semi-covered troughs and a variety of other containers that provide access to the various animals, livestock or wildlife. 
         [0006]    The dispersing of the feed from the hopper has also varied from the use of spinners with low voltage power sources such as batteries to more sophisticated controls such as photoelectric cells, which may turn on the feeder at daylight or after dark, as well as, more straightforward methods such as simple holes in the bottom of the hopper that allow the feed to fall by gravity or open troughs or other open areas, in which, as soon as the feed is eaten more feed it is drawn by gravity to replace it. However, the prior art does not provide for a method to disperse the feed in a predictable pattern, making it nearly impossible for varmints or other predators to steal feed. 
         [0007]    As a result, there is a tremendous need for an apparatus configured to feed wildlife that prevents inadvertent feeding of an unintended group of wildlife, with a particular need to an apparatus configured to disperse feed to an intended wildlife, and at the same time prevent the feeding of an unintended wildlife. 
         [0008]    Varmints, such as, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, possums, etc. and/or other unintended wildlife are very destructive and can easily empty the entire contents of conventional feeder systems because of easy access to the feed. Thus, there is a long felt need for feeder systems by providing 100% protection from feed theft. There is also a long felt need for feeder systems that prevent destruction of mechanical and electronic components. 
       SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a feed dispensing apparatus that may include a hopper body configured for holding feed, where the hopper body may have a base. The apparatus may also include a feed sheet mounted below the base, and a gap disposed between the hopper body and the feed sheet, a powered blade operatively connected to the hopper body, and at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet. The gap may be configured for distribution of feed from the feed dispensing apparatus to an intended wildlife, and the at least one window and the at least one gap may be further configured to provide a feed stream in radial directions as the powered blade rotates. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the disclosure may provide a method for dispersing feed that includes the step(s) of providing a feed apparatus configured to contain feed, whereby the feed apparatus may include a hopper body with a base, a feed sheet mounted below the base, a powered fan blade coupled with the hopper body, and at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet. The feed sheet may be mounted below the base in such a fashion as to provide distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife. The at least one window, the base, and the feed sheet may also be configured to provide a feed stream in all radial directions as the powered fan blade rotates. 
         [0011]    Further embodiments of methods for dispersing feed may include operatively connecting the powered fan blade with a motor and a motor shaft coupled with the main body, and providing at least one opening disposed in the base. There may be a powered fan blade. The at least one opening may be configured for feed to pass therethrough and onto the powered fan blade and the sheet of metal. The powered fan blade may be coupled to the motor shaft, and the motor may cause the powered fan blade to rotate and move feed that falls onto the powered blade. 
         [0012]    Yet other embodiments of the disclosure may provide a feed dispensing apparatus that includes a hopper body with a base, a feed sheet mounted below the base, a powered blade operatively connected to the hopper body, and a window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet. The feed sheet may be mounted below the base in order to provide a gap disposed between the feed sheet and the base, such that the gap may be configured for distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife. The window and the gap may be configured to provide a radial feed stream as the powered blade rotates. 
         [0013]    Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a pictorial representation of a front view of a feed apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an isometric front view of a feed apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. Further, in the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. 
         [0017]    In addition, directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. In general, “above,” “upper,” “upward,” etc. refer to a direction toward the Earth&#39;s surface, but is meant for illustrative purposes only, and the terms are not meant to limit the disclosure. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a feed dispensing apparatus  1  according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown. The feeder  1  consists of a hopper body  2  for storing the feed and for housing a motor ( 4 ,  FIG. 2 ). The feeder  1  also consists of a flat sheet of strong metal  3  adjustably attached to the bottom of the hopper body  2 . The flat sheet of metal  3  may be adjustably attached to the hopper  2  by welding or some other conventional connection device, for example, nuts and bolts, metal screws and the like. Feed falls from the hopper body  2  to the sheet of metal  3  and the sheet of metal  3  may be adjusted upward towards the hopper body  2  or downward away from the hopper  2  in order to adjust the feed flow and in order to keep varmints or other predators from getting to the feed. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of varmint guard feeder  1  according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown. A motor  4  is mounted within the hopper body  2 . The motor  4  may be fixedly attached to the base of the hopper  7  by welding or some other conventional connection device, for example, nuts and bolts, metal screws and the like. The motor shaft  5  preferably passes downward through the base of the hopper  7  and is fixedly attached by welding or some other conventional connection device, for example, nuts and bolts, metal screws and the like to a fan blade  6 . The fan blade  6  may be shaped in any conventional way such as, but not limited to, an S-shaped, or a multi-finger fan blade (see co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/315,245), etc. 
         [0020]    The base of the hopper  7  preferably has small openings  8  for the feed to fall through the base of the hopper  7  and onto the fan blade  6  and sheet of metal  3 . The sheet of metal  3  is preferably adjustably mounted to the base of the hopper  7  by members  9 , which may be attached to the base of the hopper  7  and to the sheet of metal  3  by welding or some other conventional connection device, for example, nuts and bolts, metal screws and the like. Feed falls from the hopper body  2  to the sheet of metal  3  through the openings  8 , and the sheet of metal  3  may be adjusted upward towards the hopper body  2  or downward away from the hopper body  2  in order to adjust the feed flow and in order to keep varmints or other predators from getting to the feed. 
         [0021]    The arrows  10  and  11  represent the direction upon which the sheet of metal  3  may be adjusted in relation to the base of the hopper  7 . The feed is dispersed out from the hopper  2  through the gap between the base of the hopper  7  and the sheet of metal  3  when the motor  4  is running and causing the fan blade  6  to spin. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate together that feed may be dispersed out from the hopper  2  through the gap and/or one or more windows  25  disposed between the base of the hopper  7  and the sheet of metal  3  when the motor  4  is running and causing the fan blade  6  to spin. One or more sides of the hopper  2  may have a corresponding window  25  disposed between the side and the sheet of metal  3 . In an embodiment, one or more of the windows  25  may be defined by, for example, an area between the bottom edge of a side (i.e., outer edge of the base of the hopper  7 ), the members  9 , and the corresponding edge of sheet of metal  3 . The fan blade  6  causes feed that falls from the base of the hopper  7  through the openings  8  and onto the sheet of metal  3  or fan blade  6  to disperse in all directions through the gap between the base of the hopper  7  and the sheet of metal  3 . 
         [0023]    Inside the hopper  2  is a rectangular funnel  20  that directs feed down toward the openings  8  in the base of the hopper  7 . The hopper  2  is filled with feed and the feed slides down the sides of the funnel  20  and through the openings  8  onto the sheet of metal  3  and the fan blade  6 . 
         [0024]    A battery  12 , or some other conventional source of power, is used to operate the motor  4 . It should be appreciated that the motor  4  may be any variety of conventional motors. Preferably the motor  4  is a digitally controlled motor having a controller therein, which can be programmed so as to control the operation of motor  4 . Therefore, motor  4  may be programmable to run for some predetermined time, such as, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc and at a variety of times during the day, such as, 3 times a day, 4 times a day, 6 times a day, etc. 
         [0025]    It should be understood that the exact duration of motor operation, as well as, the number of feedings or number of operations per day would be dependent on facts, such as but not limited to, the amount of wildlife or livestock to be fed, the type of wildlife or livestock to be fed, the time of year and feeding habits of the wildlife or livestock, as well as a variety of other feeding factors. It should be further understood, that other motors  4  may be used and as such it would be preferable to have a local controller  13  so as to allow the programming of the motor operation including cycle duration as well as number of cycles. 
         [0026]    In operation, the hopper body  2  is filled with feed. The feed falls from the hopper  2  through the openings  8  and onto the fan blade  6  and sheet of metal  3 . The feed is dispersed through the gap between the base of the hopper  7  and the sheet of metal  3  when the fan blade  6  begins to spin in response to the activation of the motor  4 , which spins the motor shaft  5  attached to the fan blade  6 , such that the fan blade  6  is powered. When the fan blade  6  begins to rapidly spin, the feed disperses in all directions through the gap between the base of the hopper  7  and the sheet of metal  3 . 
         [0027]    A battery  12 , or some other conventional method such as electricity, is used to operate the motor  4 . It should be appreciated that the motor  4  may be any variety of conventional motors. Preferably the motor  4  is a digitally controlled motor having a controller therein, which may be programmed so as to control the operation of motor the  4 . Therefore, the motor  4  may be programmable to run for some predetermined time, such as, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc and at a variety of times during the day, such as, 3 times a day, 4 times a day, 6 times a day, etc. 
         [0028]    It should be understood that the exact duration of motor  4  operation, as well as, the number of feedings or number of operations per day would be dependent on facts, such as but not limited to, the amount of wildlife or livestock to be fed, the type of wildlife or livestock to be fed, the time of year and feeding habits of the wildlife or livestock, as well as a variety of other feeding factors. It should be further understood, that other motors may be used and as such it would be preferable to have a local controller  13  so as to allow the programming of the motor operation including cycle duration as well as number of cycles. 
         [0029]    A critical aspect in feeding wildlife is the design and manufacture of a feeder system that prevents inadvertent feeding of an unintended group of wildlife. Embodiments disclosed herein advantageously provide for a feeder system configured to simultaneously or contemporaneously disperse feed to an intended wildlife, and also prevent the feeding of an unintended wildlife. Particular embodiments may beneficially provide a feed dispensing apparatus configured with a ‘gap’ specifically designed, arranged, and configured to prevent the feeding of unintended wildlife, such as a predetermined varmint. 
         [0030]    While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.