GB2425928A

GB2425928A - A hay feeder with a hinged mesh lid fitted with a spring

Info

Publication number: GB2425928A
Application number: GB0509703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-11
Filing date: 2005-05-11
Publication date: 2006-11-15
Also published as: GB0509703D0

Abstract

A hay feeder comprising a holding vessel 2 with a mesh lid 3 which is fitted by a hinge 4. The lid fits inside the rim of the holding vessel and is forced down by the action of a spring fitted to the hinge. In use, hay is placed in the feeder and the lid closed down on top of it. The weight and the effects of the spring cause the hay to be compressed. A horse feeding from the device is able to pull the hay through the mesh. The lid prevents the animal from rooting about in the food and reduces wastage. The feeder may be mounted centrally on a wall 1 or in a corner. The feeder may also be mounted on a hinge which allows for it to be swung to the outside of the stable when not required.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Hay Feeder

Background

This device holds animal feed material in a vessel, so that the animals can feed without rooting into it or pulling out large amounts of the feed that can drop onto the ground. If the feed is dropped onto the ground it maybe wasted or pick up contaminants which may be ingested by the animal later. It has been developed with the specific aim of feeding hay to horses in stable boxes, but could be used and adapted for other animals and other feed materials in other surroundings.

The feeder uses a bowl type holding vessel which holds the hay. A grid or mesh top feed cover has a spring hinge along one edge of the top rim of the holding vessel. It can be lifted open to allow access into the vessel. It can also be pushed closed to contain the hay and allow the animal to feed through it. The mesh feed cover fits inside the walls of the vessel to allow it free movement up and down. It will prevent the animal from rooting in the hay and pulling it out of the vessel because the gaps in the mesh will only allow small amounts of feed to be taken at a time. As the volume of hay diminishes the mesh cover moves down due to its weight; the pushing force that the feeding animal excerpts on it; and the action of the spring hinge.

The feeder may be situated mid-wall which means away from walls at either side; or in the corner of two walls. It will be possible in some situations to fit the device with a hinge that allows it to swing outside the stable.

The feeding device will be made from plastics material, metal or wood, or from a combination of these materials.

The Drawings What the Numbers describe: 1/ Stable wall for fixing the feeder to.

2/ Holding vessel.

3/ Grid or mesh feed cover.

4/ Feed cover spring hinge.

9/ Corner of two walls.

10/ Corner hinge for corner fitted feeder.

11/ Bottom hinge for mid-wall fitted feeder.

S

DESCRIPTION

Hay Feeder What the Figures describe FIG. 1 Angled view from above and to the side of a feeder where the shape would derive from a 45 (or less) radial section of a cylinder.

FIG. 2 View from directly above the feeder featured in FIG. 1 feeder.

FIG. 3 Vertical cross section of the feeder featured in FIG. 1 showing how it may be opened from outside the stable.

FIG. 4 Angled view from above and to the side of a corner fitted feeder.

FIG. 5 View from directly above the feeder featured in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 Horizontal cross section of the feeder featured in FIG. 4 showing how it may be opened from outside the stable.

FIG. 7 Angled view from above and to the front of an alternate shape for a mid-wall feeder.

Method of Oreration When the feeder requires filling the operative lifts up the feed cover (3) to gain access to the holding vessel (2). The feed cover has a spring hinge (4) which is attached along one side to the top rim of the holding vessel. The operative will then put the required amount of hay into the holding vessel (2) and push down the feed cover (3) to the desired level.

The feed cover is made of a mesh or grid contained in a frame around its perimeter. The feed cover will be small enough to leave a reasonable clearance gap between its outer edge and the wall of the holding vessel. The clearance gap will allow for any small dent and deformation in the structure of the feeder, so as not to affect the correct functioning of the feeder. The clearance gap should not be wider than the holes or gaps in the mesh or grid. The size and gauge of the mesh or grid in the feed cover will allow the intended animal to feed adequately through it, whilst being strong enough to prevent it being unduly bent or deformed.

As the hay diminishes the feed cover moves down. This is because of its weight; the pushing force excerpted by the feeding animal; and the action of the spring hinge. When the holding vessel is empty of hay the feed cover comes to rest hanging down in a vertical or near vertical position up against the back wall of the holding vessel.

The feeder may be situated mid-wall, away from walls at either side; or in the corner of two walls. There are several possibilities for the shape of the device and FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and 2 are three examples. FIG. 1 could be fitted either mid-wall or in a corner. FIG. 4 would be most suited to a corner fitting. FIG. 7 would be most suited to a mid-wall fitting.

The feeder body may be fitted with a hinge (11, FIG. 3 or 10, FIG. 6) that allows it to swing to the outside of the stable. This may be useful for accessing the feeder without having to enter the stable and for leaving the feeder outside the stable when it is not wanted inside the

stable.

Claims

Hay Feeder 1/ An animal feeder that comprises a bowl type holding vessel attached along its top rim with a spring hinge to a mesh or grid top feed cover to contain the feed material, whilst still allowing the animal to remove the feed material through the mesh or grid feed cover.

2/ An animal feeder as claimed in Claim 1 where the spring hinged feed cover can be easily be lifted and opened by an operative to allow access to the holding vessel for reasons such as filling, cleaning or maintenance.

3/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the feed cover moves down as the feed material reduces in volume, the downward movement being due the weight of the feed cover; the pushing force excerpted by the feeding animal; and the action of the spring hinge.

4/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the feed cover is made of a mesh or grid in a frame around its perimeter, with large enough holes or gaps to allow the animal to feed through it adequately.

5/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the feed cover and the holding vessel are strong enough to prevent them from being unduly bent or deformed during normal use.

6/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the feed cover has a good clearance gap between itself and the holding vessel to more than allow for free movement.

7/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the body of the feeder may be mounted on a hinge to allow it to be swung outside the stable if it is not required in the stable or if access to it is preferred outside rather than inside the stable.

8/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the feeder may be situated mid-wall which means away from walls at either side; or in the corner of two walls.

9/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim where the body of the feeder can take a variety of shapes.

10/ An animal feeder as claimed in any preceeding claim which is made from plastics material, metal or wood, or from a combination of these materials.

11/ An animal feeder substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.