CA2820813C - Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A feed dispenser in which the material is dispensed as a mound includes a dispenser body having an outlet for discharging material, a shelf beneath the outlet freely travelling vertically on which material is deposited in the form of a mound, a linkage arm coupled to the shelf for adjusting the vertical position of the shelf and an actuator mounted to the dispenser body to frictionally engage the linkage arm. Frictional force applied by the actuator acts against vertical travel of the shelf. Rotation of the actuator overcomes the frictional force to adjust the shelf position.

Description

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DISPENSER
Field of Invention [0001] The invention relates generally to dispensing equipment, such as a feed dispenser for agricultural use. In particular, the invention relates to a dispenser that discharges loose material such as feed from a hopper or other container by gravity and which automatically maintains a constant supply of dispensed material, for example so that a constant supply of feed is available to an animal.
Background

[0002] Dispensers that are designed for dispensing animal feed and other loose material may comprise a hopper or other container for retaining a supply of feed with an outlet for dispensing feed in a controlled fashion.
Such systems have widespread use in many areas, including animal husbandry, for releasing feed in a controlled fashion into a feed trough via gravity. One such system maintains a constant supply of feed in the trough wherein the feed that is removed by an animal is constantly replaced from the hopper. Examples of such systems are described in U.S. patent No.
6,923,142 and the references cited in this patent. Such systems permit a relatively large amount of feed to be stored in the hopper, where it can be located above the ground surface and can be protected against moisture, vermin and other adverse conditions. The system allows for on-demand feeding by maintaining a relatively small amount of feed available to the animal at all times.

[0003] In such systems, it is desirable to provide a means to accommodate different types of feed having, for example, different particle sizes or other physical characteristics. An on-demand feeder of the type described above typically comprises a hopper or other bulk storage container with a slot or other opening at its base to dispense contents by gravity flow.

The feed is deposited onto a shelf located below the opening. The feed piles up in a mound on the shelf where it can be accessed by the animal. The mound continues to grow as feed is released from the outlet until the top of the mound reaches the outlet, which blocks further feed from being ..
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discharged. As feed is removed from the shelf, for example as it is consumed by an animal, the mound lowers which then permits additional feed to be released from the outlet. In this fashion, the system is maintained in a steady state wherein feed that is removed from the shelf is automatically replenished until the hopper is empty.

[0004] In systems of this type, the spacing between the shelf and the hopper outlet can be a key factor in the efficacy of the system. If this spacing is too great, the mound will become too tall for the size of the shelf and will overflow the shelf before the top of the mound reaches the hopper outlet, with the result that the hopper will be quickly emptied as the feed spills off the shelf. If the spacing is too small, then the outlet will be blocked without forming a sufficient mound on the shelf; feed will be unable to exit the outlet and/or the animal will be unable to access the feed on the shelf.
It will be seen that the appropriate spacing depends on several factors including physical characteristics of the feed, which determines the angle of repose of the mounded feed and the configuration of the underlying shelf which determines the size of the mound that can be deposited thereon.

[0005] Means have been disclosed in the prior art relating to gravity feed systems of the type described above to permit adjustment of the spacing between the hopper outlet and the underlying shelf. U.S. patent No. 6,923,142 describes a system having a floating shelf suspended from straps that can be raised or lowered to adjust this spacing. The straps are each engaged to a rotatable plate wherein raising or lowering of these straps is accomplished by rotating the plate such that rotational movement of the plate is translated into vertical movement of the strap. When the shelf is placed in its desired position, the rotatable plate is locked against further rotation by engaging a toothed portion of the plate with a static component that has complementary teeth. This arrangement results in the spacing between the hopper outlet and the shelf to be adjusted in discrete increments proportional to the configuration of the mating teeth.

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[0006] Systems disclosed in the prior art suffer from several drawbacks. One such drawback is that in order to adjust the shelf spacing, the mating teeth of the adjustment member must be disengaged, which causes the full weight of the feed-bearing shelf to be borne by the operator until the teeth can be re-engaged in the new position. This makes adjustment difficult, especially for one-handed operation. As a result of this and other drawbacks, there is a need for an improved animal feed dispenser in which the spacing between the container outlet and the underlying shelf can be controlled in a highly adjustable fashion that is easy to use while minimizing the risk of slippage.
Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a broad aspect, the invention relates to dispenser for animal feed or other loose material in which the material is dispensed as a mound; in the case of an animal feed dispenser, the material may be dispensed as a mound for consumption by the animal. According to this aspect, the invention comprises - a dispenser body, - a container for said material having an outlet for discharging material by gravity feed, -a shelf beneath said outlet wherein said shelf is mounted to said dispenser body for floating vertically relative to the container, said shelf being positioned to receive material from said outlet in the form of a mound, -a linkage arm coupled to the shelf for adjusting the vertical position of said shelf by longitudinal travel of said linkage arm wherein raising said shelf reduces the space between said outlet and said shelf and lowering said shelf increases said space, and - an actuator mounted to said dispenser body and engaged to said linkage arm to prevent slippage of the linkage arm during ordinary use of the feeder and for adjustment of the vertical position of the shelf. The actuator comprises means to apply frictional force acting against vertical travel of said linkage arm and means to overcome said frictional force to adjust the vertical position of said linkage arm for adjustment of said shelf.
In a broad aspect, the means to apply a frictional force comprises a first actuator member engaged to said dispenser body for movement relative thereto and a second actuator member in contact with said first member, whereby said second actuator member can be urged against said first member to frictionally engage said first member and said first member is engaged to said linkage arm whereby movement of said first member is translated into vertical travel of said linkage arm.

[0008] According to a further broad aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser for animal feed or other loose material, which the material is dispensed as a mound, comprising:
- a dispenser body, - a container such as a hopper for the loose material, having an outlet for discharging the material by gravity feed -a shelf beneath the outlet mounted to said dispenser body for floating vertically relative to the container. The shelf is positioned to receive material from said outlet in the form of a mound. The shelf may have sidewalls, and has suitable dimensions for the mound to be deposited thereon -a linkage arm coupled to the shelf for adjusting the vertical position of said shelf by longitudinal travel of said linkage arm. Raising the shelf reduces the space between said outlet and said shelf and lowering said shelf increases said space - an actuator mounted to said dispenser body and engaged to said linkage arm, in which the actuator comprises a cam plate that is rotatable about an axis relative to said dispenser body, at least one contact member configured to frictionally engage said cam plate, and biasing means to urge the contact = , member against the cam plate to provide frictional anti-rotation means acting on said cam plate. The linkage arm is connected to the cam plate in a manner whereby rotation of the cam plate is translated into longitudinal travel of said linkage arm, such a vertical reciprocal travel thereof.
According to a further aspect, the invention relates to an assembly for mounting to a dispenser to control the outflow of loose material from said dispenser, said dispenser comprising a dispenser body, a container for said material having an outlet for discharging material by gravity feed, and a shelf beneath said outlet wherein said shelf is mounted to said dispenser body for floating vertically relative to the container, said shelf being positioned to receive material from said outlet in the form of a mound, said assembly comprising:
-a linkage arm for coupling to the shelf for adjusting the vertical position of said shelf by longitudinal travel of said linkage arm wherein raising said shelf reduces the space between said outlet and said shelf and lowering said shelf increases said space, and - an actuator for mounting to said dispenser body and engaged to said linkage arm, said actuator comprising means to apply a frictional force acting against vertical travel of said linkage arm and means to overcome said frictional force to adjust the vertical position of said linkage arm for adjustment of said shelf.

[0009] In the above aspects, the actuator can comprise first and second clamp members on opposing sides of said cam plate to clamp said cam plate therebetween. The actuator includes means to urge these clamp members together to bear on and frictionally engage said cam plate.

[0010] The actuator may include one or more friction pads between said cam plate and clamp members configured to prevent direct contact between said cam plate and clamp members.

[0011] The cam plate may further include a connector projecting laterally from the cam plate from a location offset from the axis of rotation of ..µ
.4 , said cam plate. Rotation of the cam plate about its axis is translated into an orbital movement of the connector about the axis. The connector engages the linkage arm within a slot in said linkage arm to translate rotation of the cam plate into linear travel of the connector.

[0012] The invention will now be further described by reference to specific embodiments. The invention is not limited to the preferred or exemplified embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0013] In the present description, directional references such a "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are generally provided purely for convenience of description. It will be understood that these terms are not intended to be applied strictly, and the invention may depart therefrom to be used in or include a range of orientations and the like. As well, any dimensions or references to specific materials herein are likewise not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated that while the embodiments described herein relate to animal feed systems, in some aspects the invention is not limited to such systems but can include systems and apparatus that serve other functions.

[0014] The terms "feed" and "animal feed" broadly refer to any loose material that can be dispensed to animals, including without limitation feed supplements, veterinary preparations, conventional animal feed and other matter.
Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal feeder according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2a is a view in perspective of a cross-section of the feeder along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

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[0018] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the control mechanism of the feeder.

[0019] Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the control mechanism.

[0020] Figure 6 is a detailed view of the region of Figure 5 within the area marked "6".

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lever arm of the control mechanism.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lever plate of the control mechanism.

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the friction pad of the control mechanism.

[0024] Figure 10 is a side elevational view of linkage arm 240.
Detailed Description

[0025] The specific embodiment described herein relates to an animal feed dispenser for agricultural use. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be adapted to a wide range of applications including both agricultural and non-agricultural uses, wherein material is dispensed from a hopper or other container onto a surface, in the form of a mound.

[0026] Figures 1, 2a and 2b depict an animal feeder 100 for dispensing loose feed such as feed pellets, grain, silage or any other feed that is capable of flowing under the influence of gravity through an opening and forming a heaping mound when deposited on a flat surface.

[0027] Feeder 100 comprises an open top 101 and vertical end walls 102 that define opposing end surfaces thereof. The upper portion of feeder 100 comprises a hopper 110 defined by sidewalls 104 extending between end walls 102. Sidewalls 104 are supported by buttresses 105 on opposing sides of feeder 100 intermediate between end walls 102. Sidewalls 104 converge towards the base of hopper 110 to form an elongate slot 108 that extends the length of hopper 110 and forms the outlet of hopper 110. Slot 108 is defined by opposing vertical portions 112 of walls 104 that define a vertical channel, terminating in opposing lips 109 that form the lower margins of sidewalls 104. The width of slot 108 is typically about 3 inches, although this dimension is variable depending on the intended use of feeder 100 wherein feed or other loose matter is able to flow via gravity feed through slot 108. It will be seen that hopper 110 may be replaced with any suitable container such as a closed-top container if conditions require such an arrangement.

[0028] The lower portion of feeder 100 comprises a trough 120 enclosed by end walls 102 and further defined by a floor 122 and upwardly diverging sidewalls 124. Trough 120 retains food that overflows the shelf, described below, and water that is dispensed into the trough. Trough 120 is located below hopper 110 and spaced apart from hopper 110 by a gap.
Floor 122 can rest on a surface such as an animal pen to provide access at ground level to an animal. Although the feeder 100 is a unitary structure, it will be understood that trough 120 and hopper 110 also can be separate structures.

[0029] A shelf 140 is located below slot 108 in the gap between hopper 110 and trough 120. Shelf is 140 is located such that feed exiting slot 108 is deposited onto shelf 140. Shelf 140 is free floating within feeder 100 whereby it can be elevated or lowered within feeder 100 within a limited vertical range to vary the spacing between shelf 140 and slot 108, as will be described below. Shelf 140 comprises a floor 130, end walls 132 adjacent to end walls 102 and downwardly-extending sidewalls 142 for rigidity. The lateral edges of floor 130 may be slightly upturned to retain feed thereon.
Shelf 140 serves as the primary repository of feed exiting hopper 110, wherein feed accumulates in a mound on shelf 140 for consumption by an animal. Any feed that is dislodged from shelf 140 accumulates within lower trough 120 where it may also be consumed.

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[0030] A water pipe 131 extends lengthwise within feeder 100 beneath shelf 140 to dispense drinking water into trough 120. Pipe 131 is connectible to a source of water, not shown, and includes one or more animal-activated nozzles or nipples of conventional design. A brace 132 may also extend lengthwise within feeder 100 to provide additional support.

[0031] Feed that exits through slot 108 accumulates as a mound on shelf 140. Feed is discharged continuously from slot 108 under the influence of gravity, and the discharge only stops when mound 147 reaches slot 108 and obstructs further flow. Assuming that the vertical position of the shelf has been correctly set, mound 147 is retained wholly on shelf 140 unless the feed is dislodged by an animal. The maximum height of mound 147 is thus the distance from floor 130 of shelf 130 and lips 109 of slot 108.

When the mound reaches this height, slot 108 is blocked and no further feed can be discharged from slot 108. The slope that can be attained by the mound depends on the characteristics of the feed, which provides an angle of repose of mound 147. In order to retain mound 147 on shelf 140 without overflowing, the mound must be wholly retained on shelf 140. As the feed on shelf 140 is consumed or knocked off by an animal, it is replaced by additional feed flowing through slot 108.

[0032] The width of shelf 140 between its later edges is about inches.

[0033] The spacing between lips 109 and floor 130 is shown in Figures 2a and 2b as distance "d", which can be adjusted by elevating or lowering shelf 140 to thereby provide the optimal height of mound 147 for a given shelf configuration and feed type. Distance "d" is normally between 0 and 1.5 inches.

[0034] The height attainable by mound 147 without overflowing shelf 140 depends on several variables. These include the physical properties of the feed, the width of floor 130 and the distance "d" between floor 130 and lips 109 of outlet 108. Relevant physical properties of the feed can include the particulate size (or mean particulate size) as well as the shape and ..
. t surface properties of the particulates: particulates with a smaller size, a relatively low coefficient of friction and a more spherical shape will tend to flow more easily and require a smaller spacing "d" than those that are larger, less spherical and with a higher surface friction co-efficient. The required spacing is normally determined by trial and error, but this information can also be supplied by the feed supplier.

[0035] It will be seen that if distance d is too great for a particular feed type, mound 147 will be too high for its angle of repose and the feed will overflow shelf 140. If d is too small, the flow of feed will be blocked from flowing out of outlet 108 and/or mound 147 will be so small as to be inaccessible to an animal.

[0036] Shelf 140 is supported by a pair of vertically-oriented elongate linkage arms 240 located on opposing sides of feeder 100 within hopper 110 adjacent to the corresponding interior surfaces of end walls 102. Arms 240, one of which is shown in side view of Figure 10, each comprise an elongate link member such as a rigid strap or band that can support shelf 140. Arm 240 is mounted for vertical travel, as discussed below, to raise or lower shelf 140 to adjust spacing "d". Each arm 240 comprises a flat elongate body 242, an offset upper portion 244 and a projecting tab 246 at its bottom end that extends at a right angle from body 242. Arm 240 can be approximately 3" wide.

[0037] A portion of arm 240 is confined for travel within slot 108 of hopper 110. Arms 240 are each configured to fit snugly within slot 108 whereby vertical travel is substantially unobstructed, but side to side movement is restricted to ensure that arm 240 is confined to vertical travel.

[0038] Tabs 246 project inwardly towards each other. Shelf 140 is secured to tabs 246 whereby tabs 246 support shelf 140 and vertical travel of arms 240 conveys shelf 140 vertically.

[0039] As shown in more detail in Figures 3 - 9, vertical travel of each arm 240 is actuated by a corresponding actuator200 mounted to an interior õ.
. r , surface of end wal1102. Feeder 100 comprises pair of actuators 200 on opposing end walls 102 for elevating opposing ones of arms 240 for elevating or lowering respective sides of shelf 140.

[0040] Actuator 200 comprises a base plate 220, seen in more detail in Figure 8, which is bolted or otherwise secured to the interior face of end wal1102. Plate 220 comprises a flat central portion 221, an offset upper portion 223 for contacting end wal1102, and a pair of feet 225 at the lower portion of plate 220. Feet 225 project in the same direction as portion 223 for contacting end wal1102 wherein central portion 221 is spaced apart from end wal1102 to leave a gap therebetween. Feet 225 are spaced to leave a slot 227therebetween. Arm 240 projects upwardly through slot 227 into the gap between central portion 221 and end wal1102. Plate 220 can be fastened to end wal1102 by screwing or bolting offset portion 223 and feet 225 to end wal1102.

[0041] Actuator 200 further comprises a cam plate 210 secured to base plate 220, shown in detail in Figure 7. Cam plate 210 comprises a generally disk-shaped body 211 and a handle 214 projecting radially from body 211 which permits a user to rotate plate 210. Handle 214 is relatively long to apply sufficient leverage acting on cam plate 210 for relatively easy manual rotation of said cam plate 210. It will be seen that alternative torque-applying means may be substituted such as a motor or other form of hand-actuated rotator. Plate 210 is mounted to base plate 220 and is rotatable journalled on a pin 250 that forms an axis of rotation of plate 210.

[0042] A lift pin 260 projects axially from plate 210 from a position offset from the axis of rotation of plate 210 wherein rotation of plate 210 is translated into orbital movement of pin 260. Pin 260 effectively forms a connector between cam plate 210 and arm 240 that translates rotation of cam plate 210 into vertical travel of arm 240. Pin 260 projects through arcuate slot 224 in base plate 220 into the gap between plate 220 and end wal1102.

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[0043] Arm 240 comprises a horizontally-disposed slot 242 adjacent its upper end extending through offset upper portion 244 of arm 240. Pin 260 projects through slot 242 for horizontal travel therein. Pin 260 thus engages arm 240 to cam plate 210 whereby rotation of plate 210 is translated into vertical travel of arm 240. Slot 242 permits pin 250 to travel horizontally as pin 250 follows a circular path without urging arm 240 sideways, to allow the vertical component of the movement of pin 250 to be translated into vertical travel of arm 240. Confinement of arm 240 within slot 227 prevents horizontal displacement to limit movement of arm 240 to vertical travel, particularly in cooperation with the confinement of a lower portion of arm 240 within slot 108.

[0044] It will be seen that the amount of offset of lift pin 260 from the axis of rotation of plate 210 will determine the amount of rotation of plate 210 required to elevate shelf 140 by a selected amount. Reducing the spacing of pin 260 relative to this axis increases the leverage that may be applied to plate 210, thereby requiring more travel of handle 214 to effect a given vertical travel of shelf 140. Preferably, the spacing is set such that approximately 180 degrees of rotation of handle 214 provides a full range of travel of shelf 140 that is suitable for most uses.

[0045] A cowl 280, seen in Figures 2a and 2b protrudes from end wall 102 to surround an upper portion of base plate 220. Cowl 280 comprises an arcuate plate that is semicircular in cross section. Cowl 280 has evenly spaced numerical, alphabetical or other markings 282 thereon to provide a convenient means to position handles 214 in a repeatable fashion, whereby like markings 282 on respective actuators 200 correspond to the same distances d on the respective sides of feeder 100. The markings can be calibrated to show the actual measurement of distance d or may comprise arbitrary markings.

[0046] Markings 282 are on the upper surface of cowl 280 for visibility from overhead of feeder 100. Markings 282 can be aligned with an indicator on handle 214 to provide a guide for adjusting shelf 140, whereby alignment of handle 214 with a selected marking 282 correlates with a particular spacing d of shelf 140. In one embodiment, markings 282 extend over an approximately semicircular arc along cowl 280, to correspond with a maximal 180 degree range of rotation of handle 214. It will be seen that the rotational range of travel of handle 214, as well as markings 282, may vary;
the example herein represents merely a convenient selection of one such range. A relatively wide spacing of markings 282, across a relatively broad arc, provides quick and accurate setting of actuator 200, while more markings, closely spaced, can make it easier to provide finer measurable adjustment.

[0047] As an alternative to markings on the cowl, calibrated markings can be placed on cover plate 230, which can be aligned with a corresponding marker handle 214.

[0048] Actuator 200 further comprises an outermost cover plate 230.
Cover plate 230 is retained to base plate 220 by a central mount shaft 250.
Rotation of plate 230 on shaft 250 is prevented by one or more pins 362 which protrude from base plate 220 and are received within openings 364 within cover plate 230. Pins 362 can slide freely within openings 364 to permit horizontal travel of plate 230 to thereby permit cover plate 230 to be urged towards base plate 210.

[0049] Cam plate 210 is thus sandwiched between base plate 220 and cover plate 230. The respective configurations of plates 220, 210 and 230 provide disk-shaped portions of the respective plates that are similar in configuration whereby the three plates effectively form an aligned stack.
Cam plate 210 is rotatable about a central axis while the outer plates 220 and 230 remain static. As discussed herein, rotation of cam plate 210 is translated into vertical travel of arm 240. Plates 220 and 230 frictionally engage plate 210 to resist rotation until this is overcome by a sufficient countervailing torque applied by a user.

[0050] Direct contact between the respective plates is prevented by inner and outer friction pads 270a and 270b respectively located on opposing sides of plate 220, as seen in more detail in Figure 9. Friction pads 270a and 270b may comprise discrete pads or a coating or layer on the surfaces of any of plates 220, 210 or 230. Friction pads 270a and b may comprise any suitable material such as a synthetic material that is suitable for generating sufficient friction to prevent rotation of cam plate 210 when handle 214 is released. Friction pads 270a and 270b protect the respective metal plates against wear and provide sufficient friction to permit rotation of cam plate 210 when handle 214 is firmly moved, while preventing rotation when handle 214 is released during normal use of feeder 100. Inner friction pad 270a also has an arcuate slot 274 aligned with slot 227 to allow lift pin 260 to travel therethrough.

[0051] The respective plates 220, 210 and 230, as well as friction pads 270a and 270b, are retained together by central mount shaft 250. Shaft 250 is welded to base plate 220 to protrude horizontally through the respective plates and pads that comprise actuator 200. Shaft 250 protrudes through aligned apertures within plates 210 and 230 as well as friction pads 270a and b. Shaft 250 may comprise a bolt that is threaded either at its distal end or along its full length and the respective plates and pads are retained thereon with a tightening member such as nut 251. Nut 251 can be tightened against the respective plates and pads to clamp cam plate 210 between plates 220 and 230 to thereby frictionally engage plate 210 to restrict its rotation. Nut 251 may be tightened or adjusted as the need arises, for example to accommodate use of the system with different types of animals or following excessive wear. One or more bubble or spring washers, not shown, are provided on shaft 250 to maintain even compression as components experience normal wear. Cam plate 210 is rotatable about bolt 250, which thus effectively provides the axis of rotation for this plate.

[0052] In operation, nut 251 is tightened on bolt 250 to bear on outer plate 230, thereby compressing outer plates 230 and 220 against cam plate 210. This increases the frictional resistance against rotation of cam plate 210. The c;amping force on plate 210 may be set at a level where handle = r 214 requires a moderate degree of rotational force to rotate cam plate 210 -the appropriate amount of tightening against plate 210 will depend on to some extent on the use of the feeder. Use of the feeder for large and strong animals may require a higher setting. Rotation of handle 214 applies torque for rotation cam plate 210, which in turn lowers or elevates arm 240 depending on the direction of rotation, to accommodate different feed types.
The degree of rotation is limited by slot 227 which limits the travel of pin 260. Elevation or lowering of arm 240 effects a corresponding elevation or lowering of shelf 140. The user can adjust each side of shelf 140 by making identical adjustments to the respective actuator mechanisms 200 on the opposing sides of feeder 100. The markings on the cowl permit the user to evenly adjust the respective sides. When shelf 140 is at a desired elevation, the frictional resistance generated by the clamping action of plates 220 and 230 against cam plate 210 prevents slippage of arm 240. The desired elevation can be set by trial and error, or alternatively a guide may be provided which estimates the appropriate elevation for particular feed types.

[0053] Frictional engagement of cam plate 210 by plates 220 and applies a constant countervailing force against rotation of plate 210 including during adjustment of shelf 140. Cam plate 210 is at no time required to be fully disengaged from plates 220 and 230 to permit adjustment of shelf 140.
As a result, actuator 200 supports the weight of shelf 140 and resists its downward slippage during the adjustment process. During adjustment of shelf 140, rotation of handle 214 in either direction requires sufficient force to overcome the frictional resistance acting on plate 210, but does not require that the full weight of shelf 140 be borne by the user during the adjustment process.

[0054] It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made, consistent with and without departing from the present invention.
Unless otherwise indicated, the embodiments described in the invention shall be understood to be non-exclusive of each other such that any embodiment can include different features of other embodiments. Therefore, the above ..
. t discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive.
Other embodiments consistent with the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the present invention taught and suggested herein.

Claims (28)

Claims:

1. A dispenser for loose material comprising:
- a dispenser body comprising a container for said material, having an outlet for discharging said material by gravity feed, -a shelf beneath said outlet wherein said shelf is mounted to said dispenser body for travel vertically relative to the container, said shelf being positioned to receive material from said outlet in the form of a mound, -a linkage arm coupled to said shelf for adjusting the vertical position of said shelf, said linkage arm being moveably engaged to the dispenser body for travel between a first position wherein the shelf is elevated and a second position wherein the shelf is lowered wherein elevating said shelf reduces the space between said outlet and said shelf and lowering said shelf increases said space, - an actuator mounted to said dispenser body for rotation about an axis and coupled to said linkage arm whereby rotation of said actuator in a first direction displaces said linkage arm to said first position and rotation in an opposed second direction displaces said linkage arm to said second position, and - at least one friction member in contact with said actuator configured to apply a frictional force against said actuator to restrict rotation thereof whereby the shelf is retained in a selected vertical position by frictional force.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a plate having surfaces on opposing sides thereof for contacting said at least one friction pad.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member to adjust the pressure of the at least one friction member against said actuator to selectively increase or decrease the friction therebetween.

4. The dispenser of claim 2 or 3 wherein said at least one friction member comprises two opposing friction pads, said friction pads being associated with first and second clamp members respectively on opposing sides of said plate to grip said plate therebetween to frictionally engage said actuator.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 further comprising a shaft engaged to said clamp members and extending through said plate at the axis of rotation of said actuator and a displaceable member on the shaft for urging said clamp members together.

6. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein a first of said clamp members comprises a base plate mounted to said dispenser body, said base plate comprising a portion thereof spaced from said dispenser body wherein an upper portion of said linkage arm is disposed within said space.

7. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and second friction pads comprises a shoe that lines a corresponding one of said clamp members for contacting said plate.

8. The dispenser of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said actuator further comprises a connector projecting laterally therefrom, said connector being offset from the axis of rotation of said actuator wherein rotation of said actuator about said axis is translated into an orbital movement of said connector about said axis, wherein said connector engages said linkage arm within a slot in said linkage arm to translate rotation of the actuator into linear travel of the linkage arm.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said slot is horizontally oriented.

10. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a hopper.

11. The dispenser of claim 8 as dependent from claim 6 wherein said base plate comprises an arcuate slot and said connector travels within said slot during rotation of said actuator, said slot limiting the travel of said connector to define upper and lower limits for vertical travel of said shelf.

12. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said second clamp member comprises a face plate mounted to said base plate by a floating mount that prevents rotation of the face plate while permitting travel of the face plate in a direction for urging against the base plate.

13. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 through 12 further comprising a handle projecting from said actuator for rotation thereof.

14. The dispenser of claim any one of claims 1 through 13 further comprising an indexing guide adjacent to said actuator comprising indicators for alignment with said handle, wherein when aligned said indicators corresponding to predetermined spacing between said shelf and said outlet.

15. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 through 14 comprising two of said linkage arms and actuators on opposing inside surfaces of said container.

16. An assembly for mounting to a dispenser to control the outflow of loose material from said dispenser, said dispenser comprising a dispenser body including a container for said material having an outlet for discharging said material by gravity feed, and a shelf beneath said outlet wherein said shelf is mounted to said dispenser body for travel vertically relative to the container, said shelf being positioned to receive said material from said outlet in the form of a mound, said assembly comprising:
-a linkage arm coupled to said shelf for adjusting the vertical position of said shelf, said linkage arm being engaged to the dispenser body for travel between a first position wherein the shelf is elevated and a second position wherein the shelf is lowered wherein elevating said shelf reduces the space between said outlet and said shelf and lowering said shelf increases said space, - an actuator for mounting to said dispenser body for rotation about an axis of rotation and coupled to said linkage arm whereby rotation of said actuator in a first direction displaces said linkage arm to said first position and rotation in an opposed second direction displaces said linkage arm to said second position, and - at least one friction member in contact with said actuator configured to apply a frictional force against said actuator to restrict rotation thereof whereby the shelf is retained in a selected vertical position by frictional force.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said actuator comprises a plate having surfaces on opposing sides thereof for contacting said at least one friction pad.

18. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising a biasing member to adjust the pressure of said at least one friction pad against the plate to selectively increase or decrease the friction therebetween.

19. The assembly of claim 17 or claim 18 wherein said at least one friction pad comprises two opposing friction pads, said friction pads being associated with first and second clamp members on opposing sides of said plate to grip said plate therebetween to frictionally engage said plate.

20. The assembly of claim 19 further comprising a shaft engaged to said clamp members and extending through said plate at the axis of rotation of said actuator and a displaceable member on the shaft for urging said clamp members together.

21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein a first of said clamp members comprises a base plate for mounting to said dispenser body, said base plate comprising a portion thereof spaced from said dispenser body when mounted thereto wherein an upper portion of said linkage arm is disposed within said space.

22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein at least one of said first and second friction members comprises a shoe that lines a corresponding one of said clamp members for contacting said plate.

23. The assembly of any one of claims 18 through 22 wherein said actuator further comprises a connector projecting laterally therefrom, said connector being offset from the axis of rotation of said actuator wherein rotation of said actuator about said axis is translated into an orbital movement of said connector about said axis, wherein said connector engages said linkage arm within a slot in said linkage arm to translate rotation of the actuator into linear travel of the linkage arm.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein said slot is horizontally oriented.

25. The assembly of claim 23 as dependent from claim 21 wherein said base plate comprises an arcuate slot and said connector travels within said slot during rotation of said actuator, said slot limiting the travel of said connector to define upper and lower limits for vertical travel of said shelf.

26. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said second clamp member comprises a face plate mounted to said base plate by a floating mount that prevents rotation of the face plate while permitting travel of the face plate in a direction for urging against the base plate.

27. The assembly of any one of claims 16 through 26 further comprising a handle projecting from said actuator for rotation thereof.

28. The assembly of any one of claims 16 through 27 further comprising an indexing guide adjacent to said actuator comprising indicators for alignment with said handle, wherein when aligned said indicators corresponding to predetermined spacing between said shelf and said outlet.