GB2369033A

GB2369033A - Apparatus for supplying animal feed

Info

Publication number: GB2369033A
Application number: GB0124572A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter William Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-13
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0124572D0; GB0025184D0

Abstract

An apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough 1 for containing animal feed 4, the trough 1 being movable about a pivot 3. The trough 1 may also comprise spaced bars 5 which are configured to allow animals to feed from the trough 1 whilst restricting the flow of feed between the bars 5. The apparatus may comprise a wind shield 9 to shield animal feed 4 that has fallen out of the trough 1 from the wind. The trough 1 may also be mounted over a platform 7. The trough 1 may be movable between a first position and a second position in which one side of the trough 1 is lower than in the first position and the movement of the trough 1 may be by electronic means which is controlled by a timer.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING ANIMAL FEED The invention relates to apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed.

Animal feed may often be supplied using a trough. Troughs comprise an opening at the top into which fresh animal feed is dispensed. However, dispensing fresh animal feed into the opening of a trough can be difficult, particularly where the trough is positioned at some distance from the ground as is often the case where the trough is to be used for feeding large animals such as cows or horses.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate that disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the trough being movable about a pivot.

If the trough is movable about a pivot, it may be tilted so lowering one side of the trough, and thus making it easier to dispense fresh animal feed into the trough.

The trough may be movable between a first position and a second position in which one side of the trough is lower than in the first position.

The movement of the trough may be by electronic means.

The movement of the trough may be controlled by a timer. The apparatus may comprise a lid for the trough, the lid being positioned such that it closes the trough when it is in the first position but not when it is in the second position.

The trough may comprise bars for retaining animal feed in the trough while allowing animals to feed from the trough, at least the inner surface of the bars being substantially flat. Because at least the inner surface of the bars is flat, the bars present a flat profile to the animal feed in the trough, and so give greater

resistance to the removal of animal feed from the trough than would be the case if im the bars were round.

The apparatus may comprise a wind shield to shield animal feed that has fallen out of the trough from the wind.

The trough may be mounted on two supports which are positioned at either end of the trough, and the wind shield may be disposed beneath the trough and may extend between the two supports.

The trough may be mounted over a platform. The platform prevents animals from treading on animal feed that has fallen to the ground.

The animal feed may be hay.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the trough comprising spaced bars which are configured to allow animals to feed from the trough whilst restricting the flow of feed between the bars.

The bars may be configured by at least the inner surface of the bars being c substantially flat. This restricts flow of feed such as hay through the bars when feeding is not taking place.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the apparatus comprising a wind shield to shield animal feed that has fallen out of the trough from the wind.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the trough being mounted over a platform.

For a better understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an end view of an apparatus according to the invention in a first operative position; Fig. 2 shows an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a second operative position; and

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in the first operative position. tn The apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a trough 1 pivotally mounted on two supports 2 positioned at either end of the trough 1 by means of a hinge 3 attached to the bottom of the trough 1. The trough 1 is shown holding a bale of hay 4. The sides of the trough 1 comprise, in the embodiment, a number of flat bars 5. At the upper end of each of the two supports 2 is a cross bar 6. The cross bars 6 may be replaced by a lid (not shown) which extends between the two supports 2 and closes the trough 1 when it is in its first operative (Fig. 1) position. Beneath the trough 1 is a rectangular platform 7 attached at either end to the two supports 2.

Two pairs of triangular end supports 8 are shown, each pair being attached to either side of one of the supports 2 with the bases of the end supports 8 resting on the platform 7. A divider 9 is positioned beneath the trough 1 and closes the gap defined by the trough 1, two supports 2 and platform 7.

When the apparatus is in the first operative (Fig. 1) position, animals may feed from the trough 1 by pulling hay from the hay bale 4. The flat bars 5 present a flat profile to the hay bale 4, and so give greater resistance to the removal of hay from the hay bale 4 than would be the case if the bars 5 were round. Thus, the hay is retained in the trough by the flat bars when an animal is not feeding in contrast to the case when round bars are used in which case hay can fall through gaps between the bars.

Where there is a lid for the trough 1, that lid prevents unwarrented access to the top of the trough 1. The platform 7 prevents animals from treading on hay that has fallen to the ground, and the divider 9 shields hay that has fallen to the ground from the wind, so that it is not blown away, and wasted.

When the apparatus is in the second operative (Fig. 2) position, the trough 1 is tilted with one of the sides of the trough 1 being lower than in the first operative position. It is therefore easier to place a new hay bale 4 in the trough 1.

When the trough 1 moves from its first operative position to its second operative position, it pivots about the hinge 3. The trough may be moved by any suitable means, for example, by electronic means (not shown). The movement of the trough 1 may be controlled by a timer (not shown).

It will be understood that the invention may be modified. Thus the trough 1 may be used to hold a bale of hay which can be rendered hygenic as by being disinfected with liquid disinfectant and the bale may then be supplied by being tipped out of the trough by pivoting about the pivot or hinge 3 onto a grid or pallet which may be a separate item, or an integral part of the apparatus by forming a lateral extension of the supports 2 and/or platform 7.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the trough being movable about a pivot.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the trough being movable between a first ~. h being movable between a first position and a second position in which one side of the trough is lower than in the first position.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the trough is by electronic means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the movement of the trough is controlled by a timer.
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, the apparatus comprising a lid for the trough, the lid being positioned such that it closes the trough when it is in the first position but not when it is in the second position.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the trough comprising bars for retaining animal feed in the trough while allowing animals to feed from the trough, at least the inner surface of the bars being substantially flat.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus comprising a wind shield to shield animal feed that has fallen out of the trough from the wind.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the trough is mounted on two supports which are positioned at either end of the trough, and the wind

shield is disposed beneath the trough and extends between the two supports. zm
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the trough is mounted over a platform.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the animal feed is hay.
11. Apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing ZZ) animal feed, the trough comprising spaced bars which are configured to allow animals to feed from the trough whilst restricting the flow of feed between the bars.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, the bars being configured by at least the inner surface of the bars being substantially flat.
13. Apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the apparatus comprising a wind shield to shield animal feed that has fallen out of the trough from the wind.
14. Apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, the trough being mounted over a platform.
15. Apparatus for supplying animal feed comprising a trough for containing animal feed, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.