Abstract:
A distributive livestock feeding apparatus for dispensing discrete portions of baled livestock feed, such as hay, for consumption by livestock.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a livestock feeding apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a livestock feeding apparatus that distributes discrete portions of baled feeds, such as hay, for consumption by livestock.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Traditionally, livestock producers have used baled hay and similar feed products to sustain their herds when available pastures, for various reasons, will not support grazing thereon by the herd. While baled feeds provide producers the means for efficiently storing large quantities of livestock feed, the bales present distribution problems for the producer.  
           [0003]    The baled feeds need to be broken down and dispensed in discrete portions to permit each member of the herd ample food and space to eat. Ideally, the baled feeds should be dispensed such that a uniform distribution of the feeds to the herd is achieved. Manual means may be appropriate when only a few animals require feeding. However, with even a modest herd, manual means quickly become cost prohibitive.  
           [0004]    Several prior art devices have been employed to solve this problem. In large part, these devices employ some form of reciprocating means controlling either the opening and closing of the outlets of a hopper, or the controlling the delivery of discrete portions of feed to the apparatus outlet. These devices can be complex and subject the reciprocating parts to mechanical failure and excessive maintenance. What is needed is a simpler device to accomplish distribution of discrete portions of baled feed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple, cost-effective means for transporting baled feeds and distributing discrete portions thereof to livestock. It is a further object of the present invention to take advantage of the flaking properties of baled feeds and thereby eliminate the need for reciprocating parts to control the delivery of discrete portions of feed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that may be expanded to accommodate various herd sizes.  
           [0006]    The apparatus contemplated by the present invention comprises a mobile vehicle frame for supporting and moving the apparatus and baled feed. A plurality of support shelves is attached to the vehicle frame extending lengthwise along the longitudinal length of the mobile frame. Bales of feed are loaded end to end on the support shelves.  
           [0007]    The discrete portions of baled feed are dispensed as the vehicle moves across a field containing the livestock. The feed bales are urged rearwardly on the support shelves by conveyor means such as a bale spike extending from an endless drive chain, the endless drive chain being operatively driven by a power takeoff (PTO) shaft from a tractor pulling the frame or from drive means embodied on the apparatus.  
           [0008]    As the bales of feed are urged rearwardly, portions of the formed bales will extend beyond the aft end of the support shelves. The extending portions will eventually reach a point where they will flake away from the remainder of the formed bales and be deposited on the ground.  
           [0009]    Dispersion of the deposited feed portions is achieved by regulating the speed of the conveyor relative the speed of the vehicle frame across the field.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    Apparatus embodying features of my invention are depicted in the accompanying drawings, which form a portion of this disclosure wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of the baled feed dispensing apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the baled feed dispensing apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is rear view of the baled feed dispensing apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the baled feed dispensing apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a rear view of a third embodiment of the baled feed dispensing apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    Referring to the drawings for a clearer understanding of the invention, it may be seen in FIG. 1 that the apparatus of the specific embodiment described herein includes a trailer frame  11  mounted on a wheeled axle  12 . A tongue  13  extends from the forward end of trailer frame  11 ; tongue  13  is adapted to be received by a tow point on a standard farm tractor  14  or similar vehicle. Alternatively, the apparatus claimed may be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle and achieve the same results.  
         [0017]    A plurality of support members  21  attached to frame  11  provides attachment and support means for bale support shelves  22  and  23 . Bale support shelves  22  &amp;  23  receive a plurality of formed rectangular feed bales B end to end thereon. Loading of feed bales B may be assisted by including a bale shelf-loading track  25  attached to forward ends of bale support shelves  22  and  23 . If feed bales B are bound by wire or twine, the wire or twine should be severed before commencing dispensing operations, preferably after completing transporting operations covering significant distances. Bale support shelves  22  and  23  have bale guides  24  extend parallel to the longitudinal edges of support shelves  22  and  23 . Bale guides  24  have a sufficient vertical height to retain feed bales B in longitudinal alignment with support shelves  22  and  23 , retain feed bales B during transport and dispensing operations and guide bales B along support shelves  22  and  23  during dispensing operations. Bale support shelves  22  and  23  have a slot  26  extending through their longitudinal centerlines for receiving bale conveyor means.  
         [0018]    In the preferred embodiment, a rotary power takeoff shaft (PTO)  31  extends from the rear of tractor  14  to provide conveyor drive means. Alternatively, conveyor drive means may be provided by a PTO shaft on a self-propelled vehicle or by a power plant or motor added to the apparatus. PTO  31  is operatively connected to endless chain conveyors  51  and  52  through a conveyor drive shaft  32  and a gearbox  33 , which is attached to the forward end of trailer frame  11 . Gearbox  33  has drive sprocket  34  attached to its output shaft  36 . Drive sprocket  36  engags a drive chain  37  which is selectively engageable, by means of an electric clutch  41 , with an upper driven sprocket  38  to drive endless chain conveyor  51  or lower driven sprocket  39  to drive endless chain conveyor  52 .  
         [0019]    Bale spikes  53  extending outwardly from endless chain conveyors  51  and  52  provide conveyor means. Endless chain conveyors  51  and  52  are positioned within slot  26  of support shelves  22  and  23  such that bale spikes  53  have sufficient extension for penetrating engagement of bales B, permitting bale spikes  53  to urge bales B rearward on pre-selected support shelf  22  or  23 .  
         [0020]    For substantially larger herds of livestock, multiple bale support shelves  22  &amp;  23  may be added to the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby increasing the capacity of the apparatus. Subsequent shelves may be selectively engagegable with drive means for either parallel or serial distribution of baled feeds to the herd. Alternatively, where only small increases in capacity are required, bale support shelves  22  &amp;  23  may be offset to a side of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, thereby providing storage shelf  27  for simply stacking additional bales of feed on the bed of the mobile vehicle frame. A guardrail  28  is attached to trailer frame  11  to retain bales B on the apparatus. The stored bales are manually transferred to support shelves  22  &amp;  23  after distribution of the bales carried thereon.  
         [0021]    To prepare for feed bale distribution, the operator severs any wires or twine binding bales B together. Horses appear to discriminate between the dispensed feed and twine while feeding, however, for other livestock, it may be desirable to retrieve the twine or wire before commencing feed dispensing operations to prevent such livestock from being injured by consumption of the twine. The operator selects a feed bale support shelf  22  or  23  from which to dispense feed bales B. The tractor  14  pulls the feed apparatus across a field or pasture. When the operator is in position to dispense feed, the operator engages PTO shaft  31 , which drives conveyor  51  or  52 . Bale spikes  53  urge feed bales B rearwardly along selected support shelf  22  or  23 . Referring to FIG. 1, as the feed bales B are urged rearwardly, portions of the feed bales B will extend beyond the aft end of the selected support shelf  22  or  23 . The extending portions will eventually reach a point where they will flake away from the remainder of the formed bales by gravity, or bouncing of the trailer  11  over surface irregularities in the field, and be deposited on the ground.  
         [0022]    The dispersion of deposited bale flakes F on the ground is controlled by transmission means comprising, selecting PTO shaft  31  speed, selecting gearbox  33 , drive sprocket  34  and driven sprocket  38  and  39  ratios, and controlling the rate at which the apparatus is towed across the field or pasture.  
         [0023]    It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown is a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope as defined in the following claims.