GB2450508A

GB2450508A - Horse feeder with movable mesh or grid panel.

Info

Publication number: GB2450508A
Application number: GB0712437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Dunnett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB0712437D0

Abstract

An animal feeder comprises a box like structure having a mesh, grid or grating structure therein see figures 11-14. Said mesh being located being located on a frame 12 to which are also attached a plurality of tubes 11. Said tubes are slidably located on corresponding rods 3. A lockable securing means 6-9 see figures 9 and 10 may be opened to allow removal of said frame thereby allowing said box to be filled with feed such as hay, haylage or silage. A shield means may be provided to stop entanglement between the locking means and a horse. In use an animal pulls feed upward through said mesh which may sink downward as feed is removed. Alternatively the grid may be biased to rise as feed is removed (not shown). Reinforcing panel 4 may be fitted to the front of the feeder. The feeder may be positioned against a flat wall or shaped to fit within a corner of a stable figures 11 or 14.

Description

Title 1 2450508 Animal feeder

Background -

This invention relates to the feeding of horses. It may also be used for other equines or other animals that feed in a similar manner to horses. For clarity and to avoid repetition the description of this invention uses the term horse to mean any of the above When horses are fed hay, haylage or other similar feedstuffs in a stable or paddock there can be significant wastage.

It is difficult to detennine in a straightforward way how much feed a horse is eating. Restricting or increasing the amount of feed may be difficult to regulate.

Horses naturally feed in a head-down position.

A feeder may be rigid with hard corners and edges. Horses may injure themselves by contact with such a feeder.

Horses may wear head-collars, rugs and other items that may become entangled with a feeder.

Chewing (cribbing) may damage feeders. Kicking may damage feeders.

Kicking or chewing feeders may injure the horse.

Feeders may deteriorate structurally from abuse by the horse, by rotting or weathering. Feeders can be difficult and time consuming to load. For people with a disability or injury this problem may be exacerbated.

The feeding equipment horses use must be kept clean. This is especially so when a horse is transferred to a stable that has been occupied by another horse.

Statement of invention

To overcome these behavioural and constructional problems, the present invention proposes a feeder consisting of a mesh or grid attached to a frame that moves up and down within a box structure. The horse can only feed through the mesh or grid. The frame is set aside to put feed into the box. The frame is then replaced and a locking mechanism engaged so that the horse cannot remove the frame.

Advantages of this invention The design reduces wastage because the horse is unable to pull out more than a mouthful of feed at a time and the amount of feed the horse can access can be limited. Wastage is further reduced by this design because the horse naturally tends to chew over the feeder so any food that drops from its mouth will usually fall back into the feeder.

The design of this feeder permits the amount of feed the horse consumes to be estimated accurately because it is easy to determine the wastage and compare it with the amount of feed placed in the feeder initially. The amount of feed placed in the feeder can be regulated easily.

The design of this feeder is such that the horse can only feed in the natural head-down position.

This minimises the occurrence of respiratory and allergy problems.

The design of this feeder enables the use of flexible materials in its construction to minimise the risk of permanent damage to the feeder and the risk of injury to the horse.

The design of this feeder enables the construction to be modular. This would make it easier to dismantle, transport and relocate. Different modules may be configured to allow the shape, size and other features to be altered as circumstances may require.

The design of this feeder is such that all accessible parts of the feeder can be constructed and shaped to avoid sharp edges to minimise the risk of injury to the horse or risk of entanglement of anything the horse may be wearing.

The design of this feeder makes it quick and easy to use. It is particularly easy for people with injuries or disabilities.

The design of this feeder enables the shape and size of the box to be adjusted so it can be used in almost any location indoors or out. For example, it may be configured to fit into an irregularly shaped corner in a stable.

This feeder design can be constructed entirely of materials that are rot-proof indoors and out.

This feeder design can be constructed so as to be pressure washable or steam cleaned.

The dimensions of this feeder design may be adjusted to any appropriate size to cater for any size of horse, pony, foal or other animal.

This feeder design may be freestanding and does not necessarily need to be attached to a wall, fence or similar location.

This feeder design enables the box to be made using other surfaces in any location such as the

corner of a stable.

This feeder design can be adjusted so that access to the mesh or grid can be altered as required.

This feeder design is such that any part or parts of it may be moulded from appropriate materials.

Alternative and optional features This feeder design may be made, in whole or in part, of any suitable materials or mix of -materials. -This feeder is designed such that some parts accessible to the horse are flexible. While this feature is preferred it is not mandatory.

This feeder design may be shaped so that it can be linked together with any number of feeders of this design in any configuration.

The mesh or grid mechanism may be configured so that it descends or ascends within the box as the horse feeds.

Introduction to the drawings

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings the feeder is made so that it can be stood on the ground secured to a flat surface behind it. These drawings illustrate the feeder constructed of plastic sheet and plastic profiles, and a metal frame supporting a mesh or grid. Other materials may be used for any part or parts of the design. Also shown are some examples of alternative configurations. Other configurations of this design are possible.

Figure 1 Shows a birds-eye view of the box and, in this embodiment, consists of a thin sheet of plastic 1 covering the entire base. Attached to the base are two lengths of thicker plastic profile 2 to secure the rods 3. In this instance the rear corners of the box are right-angled for attachment to a single flat surface and the front of the box is made of a single piece and has rounded corners.

There is a back so the box is complete in itself and can be removed in its entirety for cleaning or relocation. The back, sides and front of the box are, in this embodiment, also of a type of plastic sheet which deforms on impact then immediately returns to its original shape. This flexibility may mean that the horse is able to distort the front of the box and thereby by-pass the mesh or grid arrangement. To prevent this a reinforcing piece is attached to the front of the box. The locking arrangements 7 and 8 are (for clarity) shown with their top covers 6 removed. Shown separately are the covers 6 and their rounded edges. Attached to the sides of the box are the plastic profiles 5 that prevent access to the locking arrangements by the horse.

Figure 2 Shows, in outline perspective, the features explained in Figure 1.

Figure 3 Shows a perspective view of the whole box from the outside. The locking pin 9 is shown in this view. -Figure 4 Is a birds- eye view to show the design of the locking mechanism and cover. The One part is of solid plastic profile 7 of a thickness and shape such that, in the closed position, it limits the movement of the tops of the rods 3. This is an important safety feature to ensure that the rods 3 (and in particular, the tops of the rods) are inaccessible to the horse should the user put the feed into the feeder and forget to replace the frame with its mesh or grid. Figures 1 2 and 3 also illustrate this feature. The other part of the locking mechanism is plastic sheet 8 attached at a right angle to the solid profile 7. This plastic sheet 8 has a protruding pin 9 with a hole in it.

When closed the pin 9 passes through a hole 10 in the side of the box. The locking mechanism has plastic sheet covers 6. The width of the covers may be altered to vary the area of feed the horse can access through the mesh or grid. The cover has rounded corners.

Figure 5 Shows, in perspective, the features described in Figure 4.

Figure 6 Shows a birds-eye view of the frame 12 with tubes 11 attached to it in the positions appropriate for this box shape. In use the tubes 11 move up and down the rods 3. In this example mesh 13 covers the frame 12.

Figure 7 Shows, in perspective, the features described in Figure 6. It is important to note that the tubes are longer than their diameter. The effect of this feature is to ensure that the frame can only move up and down the rods without excessive tilting. This means that no significant gap can develop between the frame and the sides of the box and ensures the horse can only access feed through the mesh or grid. It is also a safety feature to minimise the chance of any item the horse may be wearing from becoming trapped.

Figure 8 In this view the box is shown from the front. Both locking mechanisms (parts 7 8 9) and covers 6 are in their complete form in the open position. The frame 12 with its sleeves 11 is shown in a position ready to be lowered over the rods 3 after feed has been placed in the box.

The front reinforcement 4 and side protectors 5 can also be seen.

Figure 9 Shows a side view. The reinforcement 4 is shown and the hole 10. The thickness of the side protector S with its U-shaped cut-out is designed so that no part of the pin 9 or the securing device 14 protrudes beyond it.

Figure 10 Shows the side protector 5, hole 10, pin 9. A suitable latching device 14 is placed through the hole in the pin. When the latching device is in place the whole of the locking mechanism shown in the previous drawings is engaged so that the tops of the rods 3 are completely covered and the frame 12, tubes 11 and mesh 13 free to slide up and down the rods. When the latching device is removed, the whole locking mechanism is released and can be opened. This enables the frame and its associated parts to be removed completely from the box.

Figure 11 Illustrates an alternative arrangement. In this instance the parts and features shown in Figures 1 to 10 remain and are numbered in the same way. This triangular box demonstrates the use of two fixed walls 15 (such as in a stable) to complete the box. The front of the box and alL other parts of the feeder may be arranged such that they may be removed from the two fixed walls either to another location or for cleaning.

Figure 12 A birds-eye view of the frame 12, tubes 11 and rods 3. In this drawing a grid 16 is shown as an alternative to the mesh 13 shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 13 Shows how the box can be configured to be completely freestanding. The features drawn previously and their numbering still apply. The cover 6 is shown as "transparent" to enable the rods 3 and tubes 11 to be seen. The locking arrangements are as previously described with parts 7 and 8 beneath the cover 6. The pin 9 protrudes through a hole 10 in the side of the box as before. In this configuration the reinforcement 4 and protectors 5 are combined to encircle the perimeter of the box entirely 17.

Figure 14 Shows an alternative to Figure 11. The triangular format is retained but the shape of the front of the box is such that more feed can be put in it without unduly increasing the floor space taken up. Again the use of two fixed walls 15 (such as in a stable) completes the box. As in Figure 11, the front of the box and all other parts of the feeder may be arranged such that they may be removed from the two fixed walls either to another location or for cleaning.

Detailed description -

The drawings show, in this embodiment, the main features of this invention meet all the criteria described in the Statement of Invention and the Advantages of this Invention.

In the embodiment illustrated, plastic sheet used to form the front, sides and base of the box.

This plastic sheet is shatterproof and able to suffer impact then immediately return to its original shape. The plastic profiles used are solid. Nylon rods are fixed to the base of the box and nylon tubes are mounted on a steel frame covered in woven polypropylene mesh. All screws and other fittings are stainless steel. Alternatives are described below.

The base of the box may be of any thickness, material, shape or size.

Rods of any material, length or diameter are fixed to the base of the box in such a way that they remain vertical (or nearly so). If the box base is of thin material then additional reinforcement may be needed to achieve this. The construction of the components of the base may be arranged in a modular fashion so as to permit changes in shape as circumstances require.

The base is attached to sides made of any material to make an open-topped box. The sides can be made up of any number of pieces. The sides can be a mix of different materials. Any side or sides can be part of another structure such as a wall. If any side is of thin or flimsy material it may need to be reinforced to prevent it jamming against the frame. The sides of the box may be designed so that they are removable. This would facilitate dismantling for cleaning or relocation. Whilst it would be usual to attach the base to the sides this is not essential. The base may be attached to one or more sides rather than all of them. The base does not necessarily need to be attached to the sides at all. The requirement is that the base keeps the rods firmly vertical (or nearly so) and the base is fixed so that it cannot move around in the box. The height of some part or parts of the sides is the same (or very nearly so) as the height of the rods to enable a locking mechanism to be used to retain the frame securely in the feeder once it has been loaded with feed.

A frame, constructed of any material, is shaped such that it fits closely inside the shape of the box. The frame has a mesh or grid of any material, flexible or solid, through which the horse is able to pull feed. Tubes, of any material are attached to the frame; either inside it or outside it as the configuration demands. The number of tubes used is dependent on the number of rods. The tubes are attached to the frame at places that enable the frame to slide freely up and down the rods. The inside diameter of the tubes must be greater than the external diameter of the rods to enable this to happen. The length of the tubes issuch. that the frame cannot tip significantly. This is to prevent the horse from gaining access to the feed from the space between the frame and the sides and reduces the risk of anything the horse may be wearing from getting tangled or trapped in the box. Ii also reduces the prospect that the frame may become jammed on the rods. An alternative arrangement would be for the frame to be attached to wheels that move in channels within the box.

At the top of the sides are a sufficient number of locking mechanisms made of any material.

Their configuration and number is such, when released, the frame can be moved away, or removed completely, from the top of the box to enable feed to be placed in the feeder. When feed has been placed in the box the frame is replaced and locking mechanisms engaged. The locking mechanisms are protected so that when they are closed and secured they cannot be opened or readily accessed by the horse and the risk of disengagement by the horse or trapping or entanglement of any item the horse may be wearing is minimised. Preferably these locking mechanisms are made in such a way that, when engaged, they restrict the movement of the top of the rods to which they apply. Ideally the configuration of the locking mechanisms is such that they themselves cover the top every rod as in the drawings. This is important to minimise the risk of injury to the horse should the operator omit to replace the frame, in any case the top of every rod needs to be covered. This is to protect the horse from injury. If the shape/location of the feeder is such that covered locking mechanisms do not cover the top of every rod then separate covering will be required for these rods. These covers may be constructed as a single unit or as separate units. They will need to be movable to load the feeder and able to be fixed over the rods when the feeder has been loaded. All covers should preferably be made such that any part accessible to the horse is shaped so as to minimise the risk of injury to the horse or entanglement with any item the horse may be wearing.

The frame need not necessarily descend in the box as the horse feeds. An alternative would be to arrange for the frame to ascend as the horse feeds. Such ascent could use springs weights or any other options.

The choice of materials for all or any part of this feeder design is not specified exactly. This is to allow for any variation at the discretion of the constructor. However the materials chosen may affect some of the advantages of this design. For example it may be that some of the materials chosen may not be rot-proof.

The entire construction may be composed of modules to make it, for example; easier to move, remove, relocate, arrange in a different configuration.

Any part or parts may-be of constructed-from mouldings; -The unique feature of this feeder design which uses the principle of a framework, through which a horse can feed, and is able to move up and down in a controlled way within an open-topped box arrangement is its remarkable versatility.

Claims

Claims I An animal feeder using a mesh or grid arrangement that moves

within a box arrangement.

*
2 An animal feeder according to claim 1, whereby the animal accesses feed through the mesh or grid arrangement
3 An animal feeder according to claim 1, that enables the mesh or grid arrangement to be * positioned in such a way that feed can be placed in the box arrangement.
4 An animal feeder according to claim 1, that enables the mesh or grid arrangement to be positioned over feed placed in the box arrangement.
An animal feeder according to claim 1, that has a securing mechanism to retain the mesh or grid arrangement within the feeder when required or enable the grid or mesh arrangement to be removed from the feeder when required.
6 An animal feeder according to claim 1, that may be of any shape or size.
7 An animal feeder according to claim 1, that may be constructed so as to be freestanding or otherwise.
8 An animal feeder according to claim I, that may be made from any material or mix of materials.
9 An animal feeder according to claim 1, whereby it is possible to shape all or any parts such that they reduce the risk of injury or entanglement of the animal and/or any item the animal may be wearing.
10. An animal feeder according to claim 1, that it is possible to make the whole or any part modular.

11 An animal feeder according to claim I, that may be made suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

12 An animal feeder according to claim 1, for which it is possible for its construction to utilise parts that are moulded for the purpose.