US1894772A - Chicken feeder - Google Patents

Description

Filed Jan. 13'. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l H A 5 M y m m w W. T. m V M nl l m H, m M H QQ E l m WFM my N m w f Q u@ Q NW. .mw mi bil 4M; 5 0r H A l .\J. .N wm 6 mmm um nm E m BNI )iql l \`\l Nm. om, Il vm M. OW d mw II U E n@ Itlli om |l.l y I Q x Q w :u b Q Tm om. OW A b mv w \mv N. 'W 1 H NV QM .JW mm. mm. O x0 mm J QM. .|V. X ov. u mm Q H .N b W Jam 17, 1933. M. H. KEATING CHICKEN FEEDER Filed Jan. 13., 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOH MAURICE HMEATIN@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED ySTATES MAURICE 1I. KEATING, or MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA.

PATENT OFFICE MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO H. D. HUDSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY',4 OF MINNEAPOLIS', MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF CHICKEN FEEDER Application led January 13, 1930. Serial No. 420,509. p 1

Thisv invention relates to improvementsin poultry feeders or like devices, and one ohr ject isto provide a very simplified construction composedy of few parts, which can be yery 5 quickly and easily assembled. Other obJects are: toV provide' meansy for forminga roof and watershed to substantially prevent entry of water into the trough; to provide a storage receptacle adapted to deliver into the v troughy and to have a portion of said receptacle form the roof and water shed for the trough ;A to provide' feet for the, device by simply forming aflange. on each of two end walls; to provide av swinging cover for the storage receptacle which cooperates with, the roofing elements of the trough to form a peaked roofy and water shed to provide a handle by which ay balanced lifting of the entire device` can be `obtained which handle acts as a bracey for the walls of the storage receptacle, and also acts asa partition to divide the receptacle into two chambers each of which delivers into the trough; to provide a guard l-id for the trough which, when in guard position, permits passage only of the heads of small fowl to feeding position, and which is adapted when in another position to permit larger fowl to feed; to provide a latch means for said guard for holding it in one position, which means is releasable by springing one of the walls of the receptacle; to provide a feeding trough and storage receptacle for delivering feed thereto which comprises substantially only ve elements; and to provide a feeder including a swinging top for the feed receptacle and including a trough into which said receptacle delivers formed substantially of only six elements.

The means for carrying out the above objects. are all features of the invention, the features including all details of construction shown. A

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the description of the drawings forming a part ofV this ap-. plication, and in said drawings Figure l is a side elevation, certain parts being broken away and others being in sec'-V tion;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section substantially on line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure l is a detail section on line 1 -4 of Figure 3, illustratin@r the latching means forthe guard lid; and

Figure 5 is a section illustrating the tongue and slot connecting feature.

The device, with the exception of the lid, virtualy comprises only live elements, to-wit: the end elements 1, the trough element 2 connecting the end elements, and the elements 3 also connecting with the end elements l and forming with them a storage receptacley which delivers downwardly into the trough. The elements 3 have portions l arranged to form a roof for, and substantially prevent entry of rain into, the trough, and the angular arrangement of the portions 3 and 4 braces and stiffens the structure. A sixth element in the form of a swinging cover 5 coop. crates with the portions 4 to form a peak for the roof, overlapping with portions 4 as shown. s

Each end element l is provided with a flange 0r flanges 6, which overlap and lie against the top surface of the portions 4. At the bend line these elements are slotted as at 7 and receive the lock tongues 8 of the said portions 4, which tongues are bent at right angles to the elements 4C, as best shown in Figure 3, to secure the parts together. The use of this sort of fastening device facilitates assembly as well as repair or replacement, and is claimed in the present combination.

Each end piece (see Figure l) is also provided with a flange l0 bent inwardly -to form a foot. This is a feature of the invention, along with the reinforcement (see Figure 2) on the vertical lower edges of the elements l,

which is formed by folding the metal upon itself as shown at 15. Each end plate is also provided with a series of slots 17 receiving the lock tongues 18 of the trough 2. These slots and tongues are arranged in three pairs. The trough 2 is formed of a single sheet metal element bent as at 19 to form a peak and to provide bottoms slanting downwardly and outwardly from this peak. The plate 2 is also bent upwardly at 20 at two points to provide outwardly, upwardly slanting sides for the trough. The plate is further bent in two places, as indicated at 21, to provide a horizontall arranged trough flange, a portion of which 1s bent upon itself at 22 for stiffening and smoothing purposes. This trough and its manner of connection to the side elements 1 is also a feature of the invention. The peak portion 19 lies substantially below the central longitudinal axis of the storage receptacle so that feed is delivered by gravity into the trough. The walls 3 of the storage receptacle flare downwardly, and this is a feature of the invention which substantially prevents any sticking of the food supply, in other words this construction facilitates gravity feed. Each end-forming element 1 is provided with two series of slots 25, which receive the tongues 26 of corresponding sides 3` and the tongues 8 and 26 cooperating with corresponding slots, secure the elements 3 and their roof extension portions 4 securely to the end plates. It will be understood that all the elements including the tongues are formed by stamping and, of course, the tongues normally lie in the plane of the surface of the metal and are only bent to the position shown after insertion through the corresponding slots. This is a very valuable feature of the invention in this combination, because of the ease of assembly, which results in a great reduction in labor cost.

The roof and drain portions 4 are bent as at 30 to provide downwardly extending flanges 31, each of which has a portion folded upon itself as at 32 to stiffer. and form a smooth edge by which the device can be lifted without injury to the hands. The lower ends of the plate 3 are bent outwardly to form a substantially horizontal guard flange 32 turned upon itself as at 33 for reinforcement and smoothing purposes.

Another feature of the invention is the swinging peak-forming cover 5 which closes the top of the feed receptable and forms with the sides 4 a peaked roof and water shed. This cover includes a top piece 37 and opposite side pieces 38 which overlap and engage the outside faces of the elements 1. Pivots 41 have their axes aligned lengthwise of the trough and swingingly connect the peak-forming cover. The end pieces are provided with in-turned flanges 39 which the top 37 overlaps and which are connected by suitable means 40 such as rivets to the top element. The flanges 39 overlap the flanges 6. Each end element 38 is reinforced by pressing as at 45, 46 and 47 to form a kind of continuous bead adjacent the lower edge, the pivots 41 pass through the reinforced bead portion 46. This reinforcement largely prevents buckling of the sides which results in binding.

Another valuable feature of the invention is a plate-like handle which connects and braces the sides 3 and forms a partition to divide the storage receptacle into two compartments, both of which lead directly downwardly into the trough. This element performing the three functions of handle, brace and partition, is arranged substantially at the center of gravity of the device so that the device remains in balanced condition when lifted. In an elongated device, like the present one, the brace feature is valuable because it is well known that such elongated receptacles are easily deformed. The brace is indicated at 50 and has tongues 52 formed on each of opposite edges, which tongues cooperate with slots 53 to bracingly lock the handle and partition to the side-forming elements 3. The element 50 is provided with a hand grip opening generally indicated at 51, the marginal metal of which is turned as atk55 to smooth it. The metal of the plate 50 is also turned at its upper edge as at 56 to form with the upper portion of the bead 55 a handle grip. This is also a feature of the invention, that is the formation of a handle by two turned or beaded portions, which lie in close proximity to one another. The lower end of the element 50 is spaced above the ypeaked portion 19 of the trough bottom and the horizontal flanges 32 of the sides 3 form guards to keep the heads of the fowls from contacting the corners or edges of the brace plate 50. The flanges 32 cooperating with the slanting portions of the trough bottom form a kind of longitudinal extending throat which delivers into the feed portion of the trough. This is a feature.

Another feature of the invention relates to a swingable guard lid, adapted when in one position to cover the trough, and having openings therein of a size to permit assage only of the heads of small fowl. nother feature is the latch means for releasably securing the guard lid in trough-uncovering position to permit larger fowl to feed. Another feature is a latch means which is releasable by springing a wall of the device, in this instance by springing one of the end walls 1.

The guard lid is generally indicated at and its construction per se is a feature of the invention. A series of openings 61 which are elongated in a direction transversely to the length of the lid and trough are provided, and each opening has its marginal metal turned to provide a stiffening and smoothing bead 62. The size of these openings is such as to permit passage only of the heads of small fowl when the device is in its lowermost position shown in the drawings. To provide hinge means the upper rear edge is turned as at 63 and then turned. upon itself as at 64 to provide ak reinforced flange which projects beyond opposite ends, see Figure l, to form pintles or trunnions 65 which pass loosely through openings 66 of the end plates l. The lower edge of each guard lid is turned as at 67 and re-bent as at 68 to smooth and reinforce. The lid is adapted to rest flatly upon the flange 22 of the trough side. It will be noted that this guard can be swung to position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 to permit larger fowl to feed. A feature of this invention is the means for releaslably lat-ching 'the guard in its upper position. This means includes a punched-in portion 70, forming a kind of button lying at the inner surface of either one or both end plates 1. l/Vith one of these buttons (see Figure 4) the edge 7l of the guard plate 60 is engageable merely by forcing this edge past the button. For convenience, and this is a feature of the invention, two buttons are provided for each gaurd lid and the buttons may be released by merely springing the end wall l in a direction of the arrow A, see Figure 4, as the result of which the lid falls by gravity to the full line position of the drawing. Pairs of these devices are provided because it is easier for the operator to spring the sides by pushing both sides simultaneously in opposite direetion and applying the force at the. inside of the plates l.

As before stated, another feature is the construction of a device of the class described which substantially comprises only two end elements, a trough-bottom-forming element connecting the end elements and a storage receptacle including two spaced side elements, all of the elements having a tongue and slot connection.

The one piece side hopper and roof member forming element is a valuable feature of the invention, the angular disposition of the parts acting as means for bracing the structure. Another valuable feature is the water shield for the hopper formed in a single piece with the hopper side. Another valuable feature is the swinging peak-forming lid acting with the roof-forming portions of the hopper side-forming element-s to provide a water drain and substantially prevent rain from entering the feed trough. Another valuable feature is the handle performing the triple function of handle, brace and partition. l

I claim as my invention:

l. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, a trough the ends of which are formed by the end elements, and two metal elements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into said trough, each metal element being bent outwardly to provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough, but spaced above the trough to permit lateral entry thereto to feeding position.

2. A device of the class described comprising metal end plates, a trough extending lengthwise between and connected to the plates and two metal elements connecting the end plates and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each element being bent to provide a roof-forming portion extending laterally beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough, but spaced above the trough to permit lateral entry thereto to feeding position, the tops of the end plates being bent over upon the roofforming portions. Y

y3. A device of the class described having metal upright end plates, a trough arranged lengthwise between the end plates, two metaly elements cross-connecting the end plates and defining with them a feed storage recepta-cle which delivers into the trough, and each cross-connecting element having a portion bent outwardly to overhang and extend outwardly beyond the trough to form a roof spaced upwardly from the trough, but arranged in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough but permit lateral entry to feeding position at the trough, the end elements having turned-over portions which overlap and lie upon the top of the contiguous marginal portions of the roof-forming portions, the said roof-forming portions having extensions and the end pieces having slots arranged adjacent the bend line of the turned-over portions and receiif'ing the extensions, said extensions being bent downwardly at the outer side of the end pieces to secure the parts in operative relation.

t. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, av trough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metal elements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into the trough,

each metal element bent to provide a roofforming portion overlying and .extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially/,prevent entry of rain into the trough but spaced above the trough to prevent lateral entry thereinto to feeding position, the outer edge of each roof-forming portion being angularly bent downwardly and then folded inwardly and upwardly upon itself to form a stiffening and reenforcing means and to provide a smooth edge by which the device can be lifted without injury to the hands.

5. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, a trough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metal elements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each metal element bent to provide a roofforrning portion overlying and extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough but spaced above the trough to prevent lateral entry thereinto to feeding position, and the lower edges of each hopperforming element being angularly bent and then folded upon itself to provide a stiffening and reenforcing means which will not injure the heads of animals feeding at the trough.

6. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, a trough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metal elements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each metal element bent outwardly at the top to provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough but spaced above the trough to prevent lateral entry thereinto to feeding position, and a vertical partition element for the hopper arranged at the center of gravity of the device and having an opening through which the fingers can be passed for lifting the device, as a whole.

7. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, a trough the ends of which are formed by said end elements, and two metal plates connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each plate being bent outwardly to provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extend ing outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain, but spaced above the trough to permit lateral entry thereto to feeding position, and a cover for the hopper overlappingly engaging the roof-forming portions and having ends which engage the outer sides of the end elements, the said covering being pivoted to be swung upwardly.

8. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, a trough the ends of which are formed by said end elements, and two metal plates connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storae receptacle which delivers into the troug each plate being bent outwardly to provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain but spaced above the trough to permit

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