GB2351001A - Animal feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Animal feeding apparatus 10 comprises a first member 12 in the form of a mesh defining a plurality of apertures. Bias arrangements 14 urge feedstuffs 16 toward the mesh 12 to be accessible to an animal through the apertures in the mesh 12. Thus, food removed through the apertures by a feeding animal is replenished by action of the bias means 14. The bias means 14 may be resilient, as shown, incorporating springs 32. Alternatively, a counter-weight mechanism could be used. A variety of mesh sizes may be used. A catch 34 retains tray 28 in its lowermost position whilst the apparatus 10 is being filled. The filling takes place by lifting mesh 12 on hinges, catch 24 holding it closed in use.

Description

2351001 Animal Feeding Apparatus The present invention relates to animal

feeding apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to apparatus for providing hay for horses.

The invention provides animal feeding apparatus comprising a first member defining at least one aperture, and bias means operable to urge feedstuff toward the first member to be accessible to an animal through the aperture, whereby food removed through the aperture by a feeding animal is replenished by action of the bias means.

Preferably the first member defines a plurality of apertures. The first member may comprise a mesh member which provides the apertures. The mesh member is preferably interchangeable with other mesh members of different mesh size. The mesh size is preferably in the range of 1.5 inchs (about 4cms) to 3 inchs (about 8cms). The first member is preferably mounted to be movable from its position in use, to an out of use position to allow feedstuff to be replenished through the location occupied by the first member when in use. The apparatus may further comprise lock means operable to retain the first member in position for use. The first member is preferably substantially horizontal in use.

The bias means is preferably resilient. The bias means may comprise a second member on which feedstuff is supported, and which is urged toward the first member by action of the biasing. Preferably the bias means comprises at least one resilient member arranged to bias the second member toward the first. The second member is preferably upwardly biased to press feedstuff against the first member from below. The second member preferably has a loading position, there being retaining means operable to retain the second member at the loading position against the bias, whereby to facilitate replenishment.

The bias means may apply a substantially constant force to urge the 2 foodstuff as aforesaid, such as by means of counter-weights.

An example of feeding apparatus according to the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of animal feeding apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The drawings show animal feeding apparatus 10 which comprises a first member 12 in the form of a mesh defining a plurality of apertures. Bias means indicated generally at 14 are operable to urge feedstuff 16 toward the first member 12 to be accessible to an animal through the apertures in the mesh 12. Thus, food removed through the apertures by a feeding animal is replenished by action of the bias means 14.

In more detail, the apparatus 10 consists of a supporting framework 18 which has the form of a right-angled triangle in plan to allow installation in the corner of a stable, horse box or the like, with the longer side 20 of the apparatus facing into the stable. The upper surface of the apparatus 10 is provided by the mesh 12 which is mounted by hinges 22 to the framework 18, allowing the mesh 12 to hinge up when feedstuff is to be replenished, as will be described. A catch arrangement 24 holds the mesh 12 down during use. The hinges 22 and catch 24 could be of any desired design but should not allow an animal to release the mesh 12. A simple sprung mechanical catch, readily manually released, would suffice.

The mesh 12 has a mesh size chosen according to the speed at which an animal is to be allowed to feed, as will be described. Typical mesh sizes for a 3 horse feeding on hay would be in the range of 1.5 inch (4cms) to 3 inch (8cms) mesh size, with a 2 inch (Scms) mesh being typical.

Beneath the mesh member 12, part way down the framework 18, crossbars 26 form a triangular supporting framework for the bias means 14. The bias means 14 comprise a tray 28 which is generally horizontal and may have a continuous upper surface or be slatted. Guide rods 30 depend from the tray 28 and run in apertures in the cross-bars 26 to allow the tray 28 to slide up and down while remaining substantially horizontal. Compression springs 32 are situated around the guide rods 30 to act between the lower surface of the tray 28, and the upper surface of the cross-bars 26. The effect of the springs 32 is to urge the tray 28 up toward the mesh 12.

A simple mechanical catch 34 is preferably provided to allow the tray 28 to be retained in its lowermost position (Fig. 1) during replenishment of the feedstuff 16. Many forms of catch could be used.

The front face of the apparatus 10, below the longer side 20, would be covered, in use, with a finer mesh (not shown) to prevent the animal gaining access to the internal workings of the apparatus 10, thus preventing injury by the mechanism, and preventing the animal circumventing the feed arrangement which can now be described.

The use and operation of the device can now be described with particular reference to a horse being fed with hay.

In order to load or replenish the device with feedstuff 16, the mesh 12 is first hinged up to its open position, allowing access to the interior of the apparatus 10 from above. The tray 28 is depressed to its lowermost position (Fig. 1) and the catch 34 is engaged to retain the tray 28 in that position. The space between the tray 28 and the level of the mesh 12 when closed, can now be filled with feedstuff. In an embodiment of convenient proportions, this may allow up to about 0. 1 cubic metres of feedstuff to be put into the apparatus.

4 Once the feedstuff has been put in, the mesh 12 is closed to occupy the horizontal position shown in the drawings, and the catch 24 is engaged to prevent a horse re-opening the mesh 12. The catch 34 is then released to allow the springs 32 to press the tray 28 up until the feedstuff 16 bears against the lower side of the mesh 12.

The feeding horse now has access to the feedstuff 16 through the mesh 12. Strands of hay can be pulled through the mesh but the mesh prevents the horse feeding directly on the bulk of the hay or pulling large clumps of hay out of the apparatus 10. As hay is removed, the springs 32 will push the tray 28 further up to ensure that feedstuff remains available through the mesh until the apparatus has been emptied. Eventually, when empty, the position of Fig. 3 is reached.

The result is to slow down the process of eating, because the horse must manipulate small amounts of hay through the mesh 12. The hay with which the apparatus has been charged will therefore last a longer time before it has all been eaten and the process of eating is more challenging for the horse. This will help prevent boredom in the animal, particularly in the case of intelligent animals such as horses, which are often confined to stables for long periods of time. Boredom in these circumstances can lead to nervous activity which results in horses injuring themselves. The apparatus of the present invention makes the act of feeding last longer and makes it require greater mental involvement of the horse, thus helping reduce boredom.

The speed at which the animal can feed will depend in part on the mesh size and in part on the nature of the feedstuff. A larger mesh will, in general, make feeding easier. A mesh which is too small may prevent any feeding either because the feedstuff will not pass through, or because the anatomy of the animal prevents them obtaining any feedstuff through the mesh. It may be desirable for the mesh to be interchangeable, there being a selection of meshes of different sizes available, so that the challenge presented by the apparatus can be varied. For instance, a relatively small mesh could be used during night time, to occupy the horse during a relatively long overnight period, whereas a larger mesh could be installed during the day to allow faster feeding.

In one experiment, mesh sizes in the region of 1.5 inchs (4cms) to 3 inchs (8cms) have been found to increase the time required to eat an amount of hay from as little as ten minutes (without the apparatus 10) to as long as one and a half hours or more.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many other shapes and sizes of the apparatus could be devised. Other bias arrangements could be used instead of resilient compression springs. One alternative would be to replace the compression springs with an arrangement of counter-weights. This has the advantage of applying a constant force to the system, regardless of the position of the tray. The apparatus could be adapted to be located at positions other than the corner of a stable. Although the apparatus provides an upward movement of hay, arrangements could be made to move hay in other directions toward meshes in other planes. Some or all of the apparatus could be covered for decorative effect and for safety, for instance by timber components.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

6 CLAims 1. Animal feeding apparatus comprising a first member defining at least one aperture, and bias means operable to urge feedstuff toward the first member to be accessible to an animal through the aperture, whereby food removed through the aperture by a feeding animal is replenished by action of the bias means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member defines a plurality of apertures.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first member comprises a mesh member which provides the apertures.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mesh member is interchangeable with other mesh members of different mesh size.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mesh size is in the range of 1.5 inches (about 4cms) to 3 inches (about 8cms).

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is mounted to be movable from its position in use, to an out of use position, to allow feedstuff to be replenished through the location occupied by the first member when in use.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises lock means operable to retain the first member in position for use.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is substantially horizontal in use.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the bias means comprises a second member on which feedstuff is supported, and which is 7 urged toward the first member by action of the biasing.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second member is upwardly biased to press feedstuff against the first member from below.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second member has a loading position, there being retaining means operable to retain the second member at the loading position against the bias, whereby to facilitate replenishment.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the bias means is resilient.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the bias means are operable to apply a substantially constant force to urge the foodstuff as aforesaid.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the bias means comprise counter-weights.

15. Animal feeding apparatus substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.