US479942A - Knockdown hen-hovel - Google Patents

Description

(ModeL) J. M. HOLLADAY. KNOOKDOWN HEN HOVEL.

Patented Aug. 2

WifIJQSSZS Futon.

ATENT JOHN M. HOLLADAY, OF HOLLADAY, VIRGINIA.

KNOCKDOWN HEN-HOVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,942, dated August 2, 1892.

Application filed August 5, 1891. Serial No. 401,768. (ModeL) To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN M. HOLLADAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at I-Iolladay, in the county of Spottsylvania and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Hen-Hovels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to poultry culture and the care and protection of domestic fowls, and more especially to the hen hovels or coops used in the art, as in cases where a hen and her brood are to be protected; and the object of the same is to produce an improved portable hovel or coop which will be cheap of man ufacture, simple in operation, vermin-proof, and strong enough to protect the fowls from the elements and from hawks by day, as well as from rats, minks, and other animals by night.

To this end the invention consists in a knockdown chicken-coop or hen-hovel constructed substantially as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as illustrated on the sheet of drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of this improved hovel in operative position. Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof when flattened out, as for storage or transportation. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail showing the various parts as slightly separated.

Referring to the said drawings, the letter B designates the roof of this improved device, which roof is preferably a rectangular sheet of flexible metal.

F is the front end wall and R is the rear end member, each end member being also preferably of sheet metal with straight base and sides and rounded upper edge, as shown. Each end wall is hinged along one side, as at H, to the roof, parallel with and adjacent to one of the longitudinal sides.

The roof is provided near its ends with a crease C, which may be formed by stamping or otherwise, this crease extending from the hinge throughout the length of the body parallel with its edge. The peripheries of the end walls and roof are preferably turned-over wires, as is usual in forming beads in metal, as shown at E. The two ends are preferably hinged to the roof near the opposite edges of the latter, so that they may be turned inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, and will lie fiat on the body, and the device at this time may be stored away or packed in small compass for transportation.

WVhen it is desired to set up the hen house or hovel, the end walls are raised from the roof so as to stand in planes at right angles thereto, and the roof is then bent over the rounded upper edges of the end walls into the shape shown Fig. 1, the creases O at this time closely fitting over the upper rounded edges of the two ends, and the body is locked in this position by any suitable means. The look I preferably employ consists of a sheath S, extending transversely across the outer face of each end near its base, a wire WV extending loosely through said sheath and having its extremities X turned at right angles to its body and into planes at right angles to each other, and a slot or opening 0 through the crease O in the body at a proper point to register with the outer extremity of said wire. When the device is set up, the wires are turned so that their outer extremities will be vertical and the openings 0 are passed over them. The wires are then turned until these extremities have been moved down to horizontal positions, and at this time the inner extremities will bear against the outer faces of the ends and prevent further turning of the wires, all as best seen in Fig. 1.

The front end wall F is provided near its lower edge with a large hole L, andin its body near its upper edge are one or more small holes Z. D is a disk-shaped door centrally pivoted, as at P, to the central point of the front end F, and the lower side of this door is cut away, as seen at A, while the body of the door has one or more small apertures a. These apertures may be brought into register to a greater or less extent with the holes Z, whereby the device may be ventilated, and when the cut-away portion A is caused to re,,- ister with the large hole L a door is opened which will permit the passage of the small chickens, but not of the mother, or which may be large enough to permit the passage of fullgrown fowls if the device be made on a large scale.

As above stated, I prefer to use sheet-tin (or galvanized iron) for this hovel or coop, as the same is vermin-proof, cannot be eaten by rats, is water-proof, and if painted or otherwise treated will not rust, and several hovels may be painted different colors, so that the broods can be distinguished at a glance and from a distance.

It will be obvious that changes in the details of the invention may be made. For instance, a different latch or look might be employed. I might use a different door, or in some cases by having the material Wholly or partially perforated or reticulated suificient Ventilation Will result. The shape of the device might be changed, as by pointing the upper edges of the ends and roof, or a bottom might be supplied, and, if desired, a trans verse partition, each end being then provided with a door. These suggestions are merely thrown out to show that in manufacturing this improved device considerable change therein and many additions thereto may be made, as the requirements of the purchaser may demand or the fancy of the manufacturer may direct.

\Vhat is claimed as new is- 1. A knockdown hen-hovel comprising a flexible roof and end walls hinged each at one side to the body member, said roof extending over the side and upper edges of the end Walls and forming the top and sides of the hen-hovel and the sides of said end members which are not hinged to the roof being detachably secured to the same, substantially as described.

2. A knockdown hen-hovel comprising a flexible roof provided with creases O and Walls, each hinged at one side to the roof and provided with means for detachably securingits other side to the roof, the body member being extended over the end Walls to form the top and sides of the hovel and having the edges of the end Walls arranged in its creases, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JNO. M. ITOLLADAY.

Witnesses:

ROY WM. DAYTON, JOHN A. SAUL.

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