Novel Apparatus for Use in Supplying Horses and other Animals with Food and Drink.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Novel Apparatus for Use in Supplying Horses and other Animals
with Food and Drink.
I, HENRY RICHARD JOHN DENTON, of Saint Marks Foundry, Wolverhampton
in the County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
When a horse or other working animal comes into the stable tired and hot from a
journey, it is usually desirable to wait some time before giving him food or drink,
in order that he may rest and cool down. To do this, however, necessitates the
attendant either waiting about a considerable time or returning specially to give the
food or drink.
Now, this invention has for its object the construction and employment of apparatus
which will automatically operate to deliver into a manger, or other feeding or
drinking trough or vessel, a feed of corn or other food required by a horse or other
animal, or a measured supply of drink, after the lapse of any desired interval of
time; and which may, consequently, be used to ensure that such horse or other
animal will be properly supplied with food, or receive a proper supply of drink,
though the attendant may be absent at the time fixed for the meal or when the drink
is to be taken.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention, for the purpose either of
supplying food or drink, may be varied considerably in detail; but in any form in
which it is made it comprises the use of a chamber or time regulator which is charged
with sand, emery, fine shot, or other solid material in a finely-divided state, or with
a liquid, the weight or pressure of which acting through suitable mechanism prevents
the measured supply of food or drink from passing out of a container or vessel in
which it is kept out of reach of the horse or other animal; and comprises also means
by which the sand or the like, or the liquid, may be allowed to run or flow out at a
given rate from such chamber. When the weight of material has thus been
sufficiently reduced within the chamber by a portion having run or flowed out
therefrom, a counter balance weight operates to open the bottom of the container
or vessel containing the solid food, or a tap or valve beneath the vessel containing
the liquid to be drunk, and the contents of the container or vessel are thus
automatically delivered into the manger or other feeding or drinking trough or
vessel. The time which elapses after the apparatus is set and the sand or the like,
or liquid, allowed to begin running or flowing out from the time regulator, until the
automatic discharge of the food or drink into the manger or other feeding or
drinking trough or vessel takes place, will of course depend upon the quantity of
sand or the like, or liquid, which must run or flow from the time regulator, and the
size of the opening through which it is allowed to run or flow therefrom.
The apparatus, whether for supplying food or drink, is preferably in duplicate,
one set of parts being the reverse way up to the other set, the complete apparatus
In such
being pivoted in position, so that it may readily be turned either way up.
case, the sand or the like, or liquid, which runs or flows from the time regulator of
the one set of parts runs or flows into the time regulator of the other set of parts;
and when the apparatus is turned upside down; and the other set of parts thus

page_text: brought into position to act, the sand or the like, or liquid, which has run or flowed
into the time regulator of such set of parts runs or flows back again into the other
time regulator, and so on each time the apparatus is reversed.
According to a simple form of apparatus, constructed according to this invention,
for supplying a feed of corn, or other food required by a horse or other animal, a
box or frame is pivotally carried within suitable brackets or other supports fixed to
a stable wall, or otherwise as may be convenient. One end of the box is formed
into the hopper or receptacle into which the feed of corn or other food is placed.
The two sides and outer end of the box may form three of the walls of this
hopper, and the lower portion of the fourth wall may consist of a hinged flap.
This flap is normally held in an inclined position, with its lower end against the
opposite side of the hopper, and thus prevents the food charged into the hopper
from falling out therefrom. The flap is normally held in its closed position by
means of a chamber or time regulator charged with emery, sand or the like (or
charged with liquid) which is pivotally carried by a pair of arms which are them-
selves pivoted inside the box or frame. These arms are formed with downwardly-
inclined extensions which carry at their outer ends anti-friction. rollers.. The
weight of the material within the chamber, acting through the arms, causes the
rollers to bear against the back of the flap and thus maintain the flap in its closed
position. The emery or other material in the chamber is allowed to run or flow
therefrom through a small opening at the bottom, and when the weight in the
chamber has thus been sufficiently reduced the weight of the food within the hopper,
pressing against the inner face of the flap, overbalances the weight of the chamber
and its contents, and thus causes the flap to open and allow the food to run out
from the hopper. The apparatus is provided also with a second chamber or time
regulator, a second hopper formed at the opposite end of the box or frame to that at
which the first mentioned hopper is formed, and having a portion of its inner side
correspondingly formed as a hinged flap, and a second set of arms, all inverted in
relation to the corresponding parts already described, so that when the apparatus
is turned upside down the inverted parts are brought the right way up for acting
in the manner already described with reference to the other parts. The material
running or flowing out from the upper chamber falls into the lower chamber, and
consequently, when the apparatus is turned over, the chamber which was previously
the lower is suitably charged so that its weight will maintain the flap of the
corresponding hopper closed. The material running or flowing out from the
chamber which is the upper when the apparatus has been turned over runs or flows,
of course, back again into the other chamber.
Each chamber is capable of a vertical movement independently of the other
chamber, and the inner end of each chamber is conveniently formed as a neck.
The neck of each chamber surrounds a vertical tube across the middle of which
is carried a diaphragm having a small hole therethrough for the passage of the
material from one chamber into the other. The tube is securely fixed within
the apparatus. Any material which may fall in between the neck of a chamber
and the exterior of the tube which it surrounds, is prevented from escaping by
means of a spiral spring covered with a sleeve of leather or other suitable material.
According to a convenient form of apparatus, constructed according to this
invention, for automatically supplying liquid for drinking, after the lapse of any
predetermined interval of time, into a drinking vessel from which it can be drunk
by a horse or other animal, a box or frame is pivotally carried within suitable
brackets or other supports fixed to a stable wall, or otherwise as may be convenient.
A container or vessel to hold the water to be drunk is carried or formed in one
end of the box. A top is fixed in position below the vessel, and is provided with a
weighted lever which tends to open the tap and allow the water to How out from
the container into the drinking trough or vessel. A chamber or time regulator
charged with emery, sand or the like (or with liquid) is pivotally carried by a pair
of arms which are themselves pivoted inside the box or frame, and these arms are
formed with extensions, or an extension common to both, from which rods, or a

page_text: rod, are or is carried down and connected with the weighted lever aforesaid. When
the time regulator is charged with emery, sand or the like, (or with a liquid) its
weight and that of its contents overbalance the weighted lever, and keep the tap
closed. The emery or other material in the chamber is allowed to run or flow
therefrom through a small opening, and when the weight in the chamber has thus
been sufficiently reduced the weighted lever overbalances the weight of the
chamber and its contents and thus opens the tap, at the same time of course
raising the chamber. The water from the container then flows down through the
tap into the drinking vessel. The apparatus is provided also with a second
chamber or time regulator, a second container or vessel for the drinking water,
which is carried or formed at the opposite end of the box to that at which the
first mentioned container is situated, and a second set of arms and rods or rod, all
inverted in relation to the corresponding parts already described, so that when the
apparatus is turned upside-down the inverted parts are brought the right way up
for acting in the manner already described with reference to the other parts. The
material running or flowing out from the upper chamber falls into the lower
chamber, and cousequently, when the apparatus is turned over, the chamber which
was previously the lower is suitably charged so that its weight will counter-
balance the weighted lever of the tap of the container which is in the proper
position to receive the charge of drinking water. In this case, also, the
material running or flowing out from the chamber which is the upper when the
apparatus has been turned over, runs or flows, of course, back again into the other
chamber.
Each chamber is, in this case also, capable of vertical movement independently
of the other chamber; and the inner end of each chamber is conveniently formed
as a neck; and the method by which the two chambers are made to communicate
with one another is the same as described with reference to the chambers used for
the modification above described of apparatus for use in automatically supplying
food.
According to a modification of the invention, in which the chambers from which
the emery or other material runs from one into the other may be fixed to the box
or frame, so as not to be capable of vertical movement in relation to one another
or other parts of the apparatus, chambers such as those above described, and
which are preferably of a rectangular shape on plan, are fixed rigidly to the box
or frame. Each chamber has a hinged flap which is fixed to the hinge pin, and
the ends of the pin project beyond the sides of the chamber and have arms fixed
thereon. Rods communicate between these arms and studs projecting from one of
the hinged flaps, aforesaid, of a food hopper, or between the arms and the weighted
tap lever of one of the water containers or vessels aforesaid. The weight of the
emery or other material in a chamber normally keeps the flap within such chamber
pressed down against the side thereof, and thus holds the flap of the hopper closed,
or holds the weighted lever up, as the case may be. When, however, the pressure
upon the flap within the chamber has become sufficiently lightened, by the running
out of material from such chamber, the weight of the food within the hopper, or
the weighted lever as the case may be, overbalances the pressure against the flap
within the chamber, and moves back the flap of the hopper, or opens the tap, as
the case may be.
In any modification of the invention above described, it will be obvious that a
single set of parts may be used, the material falling from the time-regulator
passing into a receptacle from which it may be emptied by hand into the top of
the time-regulator, to bring the apparatus into action again. Such an arrange-
ment, however, is not recommended, as it would entail extra work on the attendant,
and the material would be liable to be wasted.
Doted this 14th day of June 1805
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Novel Apparatus for Use in Supplying Horses and other Animals:
with Food and Drink.
1, HENRY RICHARD JOHN DENTON, of Saint Mark's Foundry, Wolverhampton
in the County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention.
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and:
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
When a horse or other working animal comes into the stable tired and hot from
a journey, it is usually desirable to wait some time before giving him food or drink,
in order that he may rest and cool down. To do this, however, necessitates the
attendant either waiting about a considerable time, or returning specially to give
the food or drink.
Now, this invention has for its object the construction and employment of
apparatus which will automatically operate to deliver into a manger, or other
feeding or drinking trough or vessel, a feed of corn or other food required by a
horse or other animal, or a measured supply of drink, after the lapse of any
desired interval of time; and which may consequently be used to ensure that such
horse or other animal will be properly supplied with food, or receive a proper
supply of drink, though the attendant may be absent at the time fixed for the
meal or when the drink is to be taken.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention embodies the novel principle,
for the purpose of supplying after the lapse of any "predetermined interval of
time, a feed of corn or other food or a measured supply of drink to a horse or
other animal, of making the action of the apparatus in delivering the food or
drink dependent on a certain weight of sand, fine shot, or other solid material in a.
finely-divided state, or liquid, having run out from a chamber into which it has
been delivered. The time which elapses while the required weight of the material
necessary to cause the desired result runs out from the chamber fixes the time at
which the charge of food or drink will be delivered after the material first .begins
to run out. The rate of flow can, of course, be arranged for any given apparatus,
whereby in using such apparatus for a given charge of food or drink, the time
which will elapse after the same is put into action before the charge of food or
drink is delivered can be depended upon. The apparatus can be provided also
with means for regulating the rate of flow of the material from the chamber, so
that the time may be varied at will which will elapse between the time when the
material commences to run out from the chamber and the time when the food or
drink is delivered.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention, for the purpose either of
supplying food or drink, may be varied considerably in detail; but in any form in
which it is made it comprises the use of a chamber or time regulator which is
charged with stand, emery, fine shot or other solid material in a finely-divided state,
or with liquid, the weight or pressure of which acting through suitable mechanism
prevents the measured supply of food or drink from passing out of a container or
vessel in which it is kept out of reach of the horse or other animal; and comprises
also means by means the sand or the like, or the liquid, may be allowed to run or
flow out at a given rate from such chamber. When the weight of material has thus
been sufficiently reduced within the chamber by a portion having run or flowed out
therefrom, a counter-balance weight operates to open the bottom of the container
or vessel containing the solid food, or a tap or valve beneath the vessel containing
the liquid to be drunk, and the contents of the container or vessel are thus auto-
matically delivered into the manger or other feeding or drinking trough or vessel.
The time which elapses after the apparatus is set and the sand or the like, or
liquid, allowed to begin running or flowing out from the time-regulator, until the

page_text: automatic discharge of the food or drink into the manger or other feeding or
drinking trough or vessel takes place, will of course depend upon the quantity of
sand or the like, or liquid, which must run or flow from the time-regulator, and the
size of the opening through which it is allowed to run or flow therefrom.
The apparatus, whether for supplying food or drink, is preferably in duplicate,.
one set of parts being the reverse way up to the other set, the complete apparatus.
being pivoted in position, so that it may readily be turned either way up. In such
case, the sand or the like, or liquid, which runs or flows from the time regulator of
the one set of parts runs or flows into the time regulator of the other set of parts;:
and when the apparatus is turned upside down, and the other set of parts thus
brought into position to act, the sand or the like, or liquid, which has run or flowed
into the time-regulator of such set of parts runs or flows back again into the other
time-regulator, and so on each time the apparatus is reversed.
A very simple and convenient form of "apparatus, constructed according to this:
invention, for supplying a feed of corn, or other food required by a horse or other
animal, is illustrated by the drawings on Sheet 1 herewith..
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the centre of the apparatus; Figure 2:
is a plan thereof, with the cover removed; and Figures 3 and 4 are detail views..
which will be presently described.
One:
The apparatus consists of duplicate parts which are carried by a box, frame or
casing, A. This box is mounted by means of pivots a within suitable brackets B..
or other supports fixed to a stable wall or otherwise as may be convenient. The
I will first.
apparatus may consequently be turned on the pivots a either way up.
describe the set of parts which are shewn to be in position for action in causing the
automatic delivery, after a predetermined interval of time, of a supply of food.
end of the box A is formed into a hopper or receptacle C into which the feed of corn
or other food is placed. The two sides and outer end of the box form three of the
walls of this hopper, and the fourth wall consists of an inclined portion c and of a
flap b hinged at its upper end to the lower end of the part c. When this flap is in
position with its lower end against the end of the box, as shewn by full lines, the
food is retained within the hopper. When the flap ceases to be held in such
position it opens back into the position indicated by broken lines (Figure 1), and
the food then falls through an opening d in the bottom of the box, and thence into-
the manger or other feeding vessel. The flap is normally held in its closed
sand or
position by means of a chamber, or time-regulator D, charged with emery,
the like (or it may be charged with liquid) which is pivotally carried by a pair of
These arms are pivoted inside the box at f, and are formed with down-.
wardly-inclined extensions g which carry at their outer ends anti-friction rollers h.
The pair of arms are conveniently formed into a rocking frame by means of cross-
pieces a', and the rollers h h are conveniently mounted upon a bar or rod b² which
connects the lower ends of the arms. The weight of the material within the-
chamber D, acting through the arms e.g, causes the rollers to bear against the-
back of the flap 6 and thus maintain the flap in its closed position. The emery or
other material in the chamber D is allowed to run out therefrom through a small
opening i, and when the weight within the chamber D has thus been sufficiently
reduced the pressure which the food within the hopper C exerts against the, inner-
face of the flap b, overbalances the weight of the chamber D and its contents, and
thus causes the flap to open and allow. the food to run down through the opening d..
The food itself thus acts as the counterweight which operates to open the flap b..
The positions of the arms g and of the flap when the latter is open, are indicated
by broken lines Figure 1. The chamber D is formed with inclined sides, as shewn,
to facilitate the flow of the emery or other material with which the vessel is
charged.
arms e.
The apparatus is provided also with a chamber D', hopper C₁, flap 61, and.
arms eg pivoted at f, all inverted in relation to the corresponding parts already
described, so that when the apparatus is turned upside down, on its pivots a, the
inverted parts are brought the right way up for acting in the manner already-

page_text: described with reference to the other parts. The material running out from the
chamber D flows into the chamber .D¹, and consequently when the apparatus is
turned over the chamber D' is suitably charged so that its weight will maintain the
flap closed. The material running out from the chamber D¹ flows, of course,
when the apparatus is turned over, back again into the chamber D.
; but
The chamber D', being shewn in the illustration in its underneath or inverted
position, is of course down against a suitable stop, that is to say, in the instance
shewn, against the indiarubber ring c² fixed to the inner face of a board or plate k
which closes in the portion of the box which is between the mouth of the hopper C
and the opening d; and the rollers are consequently back from the flap
when the apparatus is turned over the chamber D' falls inwards, and brings the
rollers against the flap. To reduce friction, the pivots & and e², by means of
which the chambers D D' are supported within the ends of the arms e e¹, are
formed with knife-edge bearings, and the pivot supports f f which form the
fulcrums for the two pairs of levers eg, e¹g', are formed also with knife-edge
bearings for the same purpose.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively, in vertical section and sectional plan, to
an enlarged scale, a convenient method by which a proper communication is effected
between the chambers D and D¹, without interfering with the vertical movement
of each chamber independently of the other chamber. In Figure 3 only the lower
portion of the chamber D and the upper portion of the chamber D¹ are shewn, for
convenience of illustration. A nozzle E E¹, formed with a collar m, is securely
fixed, within the box A, with its vertical axis coinciding with the common axis of
the chambers D D', by a pair of plates F which cross inside the box A, and are
fixed securely in place therein. A portion only of one of these plates is shewn by
Figure 4. These plates may conveniently be fixed by their ends bearing,
respectively, against the upper and under sides of bars such as k₁ (Figures 1 and 2)
fixed against the inside of the box by means of screws ', the plates being bolted
together by pins such as m¹, Figure 4. The plates F are this tightened firmly
against the bars k¹ and against the top and bottom faces, respectively, of the
collar m.
The chamber D is formed with a short cylindrical neck n, and the
chamber D is formed with a corresponding neck n', and each neck is connected
with the corresponding end E or E' of the nozzle by means of a sleeve o or o¹ of
chamois leather, or other suitable material for the purpose. The ends of the
sleeves are passed, respectively, over the necks n n' and ends E E' of the nozzle,
and are kept in place therearound by means of clips or ferrules. A joint is thus
formed between each chamber and the fixed nozzle E E¹ which prevents the emery,
sand, or the like, running from one chamber into the other, from escaping, but
admits of the vertical movement of the chambers in relation to the fixed
nozzle E E¹. The emery, sand, or the like runs from one chamber into the other
through an opening i; and in order that the size of the opening through which the
emery, sand, or the like, runs may be varied to vary the rate of flow of the
material, openings of different sizes are formed through a plate 7 which is fitted to
slide through a transverse opening formed therefor through the middle of the
nozzle E Eso that either or any of its holes may be brought into position for the
material to run therethrough. The plate is held in any desired position into which
it has been moved by means of a pin f2 carried on the end of a spring arm 9² so
that it may be readily lifted up. The spring arm 92 is fixed at one end to one of
the plates F and carries the pin fat its other end, and the pin passes through a
hole in the plate F to which the spring arm is fixed and holds the plate in.
position by passing through one of a number of holes formed therethrough for the
the purpose. Each end E E' of the nozzle is formed inside of a conical shape for
some distance inwards, which joins into a small cylindrical hole at the middle of
the nozzle. This conical formation is given to assist the flow of the material.
The inside of each neck n n¹ is formed tapering smaller in diameter inwards from
each end, leaving an opening of somewhat small diameter at the centre, the purpose
being to facilitate the flow of the material while relieving the pressure under which

page_text: the material would otherwise flow through the opening i under any considerable
head of the material within the corresponding chamber, whereby a considerable
evenness in the rate of flow through the opening i is ensured.
Each chamber may be provided with a screw cap a² (Figures 1 and 2) for
removal when emery or other material is to be charged into a chamber, or emptied
out therefrom.
A further means of adjustment, for use in regulating the time which will elapse
after the setting of the apparatus before the discharge of food takes place from a
container, consists in the use within the container of a plate 2 fixed to the lower.
end of the inclined wall c by means of screws k² which pass through slotted holes.
in the plate. It will readily be seen that, by altering the position of the plate.
upwards or downwards within the container, the food within the container will be
caused to exert a greater or less pressure against the inside of the flap b, and
thus cause the same to open or close after the lapse of a less or greater time from
when the material commences to flow from the chamber or time-regulator.
When liquid is to be used in the chambers D D' they may be made to com-
municate with one another in the manner shewn by Figure 3A, in which I are
flexible tubes, such as of indiarubber, which connect the necks 2 of the chambers
with a two-way cock 3 which is preferably fixed. The necks may, however, if
preferred, pass through suitable packings in the extended ends of a fixed cock
having the axis of its passage-way vertical.
Figure 5, which is a view corresponding to Figure 1 above described, illustrates
a convenient form of apparatus for automatically supplying water, after any pre-
determined interval of time, into a drinking vessel from which it can be drunk by
a horse or other animal.
This apparatus comprises chambers D D', which correspond with the chambers D
and D above described, and are made to communicate with one another in the
same manner. Vessels C C¹, for receiving the water which is to be automatically
supplied, are substituted for the hoppers similarly lettered in the apparatus above
described. The chamber D is pivoted to arms e, corresponding to the arms e
above described, and these arms are fulcrumed each at a point f.. Extensions, such
as 92, are carried out beyond the fulcrum f. A tap 3 is connected with the bottom
of the vessel C, and a weighted lever m² is fixed to the tap, and is normally held
up by a pair of rods 2 passing down one on each side of the vessel C from the
outer ends of the arms g². When the chamber D is charged with emery or other
material, its weight and that of its contents securely hold up the lever m² and keep
the tap closed; but when a sufficient quantity of the emery has run out from the
chamber D, the weighted lever m² overbalances the weight of the chamber D and
its contents and thus opens the tap k³, at the same time of course raising the
chamber D. The water from the vessel C then flows down through the tap into.
the drinking vessel.
When a further quantity of water is to be supplied to the apparatus, for the
purpose of being automatically discharged, after a predetermined interval of time,
into a drinking vessel, the apparatus is turned over on its pivots a a, and the water
is then charged into the vessel C¹. The emery flows back from the chamber D¹
into the chamber D; and the chamber D' is connected with a weighted lever m³
of a tap similarly and for the same purpose as the chamber D is connected with
the lever m².
Valves may, of course, be substituted, if preferred, for the taps ³ and k¹.
A modification of the invention, in which the chambers from which the emery
or like material runs from one into the other may be fixed to the box A, so as not
to be capable of vertical movement in relation to one another or other parts of the
apparatus, is illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 as applied in the case of an apparatus
for automatically supplying corn or other food. These figures correspond,
respectively, with Figures 1 and 2 before described. The chambers D D¹ are
shewn, in this case, to be of a rectangular shape on plan, and are fixed by being let
into the upper edges of the box. The chamber D has a hinged flap. The flap

page_text: is fixed to the hinge pin 2, and the ends of the pin project beyond the sides of the
chamber and have arms j' fixed thereon. Short studs, from the sides of the flap b
of the hopper C, project through slots in the sides of the box A ; and rods m
join together the lower ends of the arms and the studs 12. The weight of the
emery or other material in the chamber Ď normally keeps the flap i pressed down
against the side of the chamber, and thus holds the flap 6 of the hopper C closed.
When, however, the pressure upon the flap has become sufficiently lightened, by
the running out of material from the chamber D, the weight of the food within
the hopper C overbalances the pressure against the flap i¹ and moves back the flap b
against stops, such as n², and allows the food to fall out through the bottom of the
hopper, at the same time causing the flap to rise. The flap b, one of the rods m*,
and the flap, are shewn by broken lines, Figure 6, in the position they assume
when the flap is open. The apparatus is provided also with an inverted
hopper C having a flap b' connected with a flap within the chamber D¹, so that
when the apparatus is turned over on pivots a a feed of corn or other food may be
charged into the hopper C₁, and be automatically discharged therefrom in the
manner in which the food has just been described as automatically discharged from
the hopper C.
The apparatus last described may be readily modified, as will be obvious, to
adapt it for automatically supplying water. In such case the rods m may be
connected with the weighted lever of a tap or valve through which the water is
discharged as the flap is. balanced up.
In any modification of the invention above described, it will be obvious that a
single set of parts may be used in an apparatus instead of duplicate parts inverted,
the material falling from the time regulator passing into a receptacle from which it
may be emptied by hand into the top of the time regulator to bring the apparatus
into action again. Such an arrangement, however, is not recommended, as it
would entail extra work on the attendant, and the material would be liable to be
'wasted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for use in automatically supplying food, or drink, to a horse or
other animal, which comprises a time-regulator consisting of a chamber from which
sand, emery, fine shot, or other solid material in a finely-divided state (or liquid) is
allowed to run, and means by which when a predetermined quantity of such sand,
emery or other material has run out from such chamber, a container or vessel is
automatically opened and the supply of food or drink contained therein allowed to
run out therefrom into a manger or other feeding or drinking trough or vessel,
substantially as described.
2. Apparatus for use in automatically supplying food, or drink, to a horse or
other animal, in which sand, emery, fine shot, or other solid material in a finely-
divided state (or liquid) within. a chamber is caused to overbalance à weight or
pressure (such as that exerted by the food against a movable portion of the container
in which it is placed) which tends to open the bottom of the container in which a
charge of food is placed, or to overbalance a weight which tends to open a tap or
valve beneath a vessel containing the charge of drink, and in which when a
predetermined quantity of such sand, emery or other material has run out from such
chamber such weight or pressure or the weight which tends to open the tap or valve,
automatically overbalances the force tending to keep the container or vessel or tap
or valve closed, and thereby causes the food or drink to be discharged from such
container or vessel into the inanger or other feeding or drinking trough or vessel,
substantially as described.
3. Apparatus for use in automatically supplying, food, or drink, to a horse or
other animal, which comprises a box frame or casing carried by pivots on which
it may be turned either way up, a pair of time-regulators carried by such box frame

page_text: or casing in positions inverted in relation to one another and each consisting of a
chamber from the upper of which sand, emery, fine shot, or other solid material in.
a finely-divided state (or liquid) may run into the lower, and means by which when
a predetermined quantity of such sand, emery or other material has run from the-
upper into the lower chamber, one of a pair of containers or vessels which form
part of the apparatus and are in positions inverted in relation to one another is in-
consequence automatically opened and the required supply of food or drink
allowed to run out therefrom into a manger or other feeding or drinking trough or
vessel, the apparatus being capable of being turned over to bring the duplicate or
inverted parts into position so that the other container or vessel may be charged with
a supply of food or drink and the sand, emery or other material run back from the
chamber into which it has run into the chamber from which it ran, substantially as
described.
4. In apparatus for automatically supplying food, or drink, to a horse or other-
animal, the employment of a pair of time regulators, such as D D', in positions
inverted in relation to one another, with their inner ends communicating with one
another, and each capable of vertical movement independently of the other so that
the upper one may rise independently of the other when it and any material it
contains is overbalanced by a weight which tends to open a vessel containing-
food, or a tap or valve below a vessel containing water, for the horse or other
animal, substantially as described.
5. Apparatus for use in automatically supplying food, or drink, to a horse or
other animal, which comprises a chamber through an opening in the bottom of
which sand, emery, fine shot, or other solid material in a finely divided state
(or liquid) may run cut, arms fulcrummed between their ends and carrying the
chamber at their ends which are at one side of the fulcrum and pressing at their
other ends against the flap or door of a hopper or container which receives the
food to be automatically delivered, or connected at such latter ends with a weighted
lever of a tap or valve beneath a vessel which receives the supply of drink to be
automatically delivered, substantially as described.
6. Apparatus for automatically supplying food, or drink, to a horse or other
animal, constructed and operating substantially as described with reference to the-
drawings herewith.
Dated this 12th day of March 1896.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.