Patent Application
20160157465
The present invention relates to antler shedding and, more particularly, to an antler shedding apparatus with a built in feeder.
Antlers are extensions of the skull grown by members of the deer facility. They are true bone structures that usually grow in symmetrical pairs. For many temperate zone species, antlers are shed and regrown each year. Gathering shed antlers or “sheds” attracts dedicated practitioners who refer to it colloquially as shed hunting, or bone picking. In the United States, the middle of December to the middle of February is considered shed hunting season, when deer, elk, and moose begin to shed. Currently, finding shed antlers requires one to search for them on the forest floor, which may be difficult. Certain antler trapping devices use rubber cords, rigid rods, and fencing posts. However, deer may prematurely entangle their antlers within the cords, which may uncomfortably remove the antlers or strain the deer's neck.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus for removing and collecting deer antlers without harming the deer.
In one aspect of the present invention, an antler shedding apparatus comprises: a base frame; a feed tray supported by the base frame and comprising a feeding portion operable to retain a feed; and a plurality flexible uprights surrounding the feeding portion, wherein each of the plurality of flexible uprights comprises a spring biasing a post in a vertical position.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a wildlife feeder that aids deer in the antler shedding process. The feeder of the present invention allows a whitetail buck to push the spring loaded posts with his antlers to get the food and allow him to remove his head without too much resistance. If the antlers are ready to fall, the resistance of the posts causes the antlers to shed. The present invention allows for feeding and removal of antlers without entangling or harming the deer.
Referring to
The base frame 15 of the present invention may include an upper frame member 20, a lower frame member 18 and a plurality of support poles 34. The support poles 34 may be vertically disposed. The lower frame member 18 may secured to the support poles 34 using fasteners 52 and nuts 54. The upper frame member 20 may secure to a top of the support poles 34 via a fastener 50. To add additional support, cross members 22 may be secured the lower frame member 18 by fasteners 46 and nuts 48. The feed tray 10 may be secured within the upper frame member 20, which elevates the feed tray 10 to a convenient height for a deer 66 to feed from. A plate foot 28 may be formed at a bottom end of each of the support poles 34. The plate foot 28 may be flat and substantially perpendicular to the support pole 34. The plate foot 28 may include an aperture 30 sized to receive a stake 32. Therefore, the base frame 15 may be secured to the ground 62 via the stakes 32. In certain embodiments, the upper frame member 20, the lower frame member 18 and the feed tray 12 are circular. The feed tray 12 may be circular allowing the deer 66 access to the feed 64 from all angles.
The feed tray 10 of the present invention may include an outer rim that tapers to a center portion 14, forming a hemispherical shape. The feed tray 10 may include a plurality of drainage apertures 12, and a plurality of center draining apertures 16 disposed near the center portion 14. The drainage apertures 12 may drain water from the feed tray 10. A feed pole 26 may be vertically disposed through the center portion 14. The feed pole 26 may be secured to the lower frame member 18 by a pole sleeve 24. The feed pole 26 is operable to distribute feed 64 to the feeding portion. A cover plate 42 may surround the feed pole 26 where the feed pole 26 meets the feed tray 10. The cover plate 42 may include drainage apertures 44 leading to the center drainage apertures 16.
The plurality of flexible uprights 36, 40 may include a spring 36 and a post 40. The post 40 may be made of a wood, a polymer, a metal or the like. The spring 36 biases the post in a vertical position. The present invention may include a post bracket 38. The post 40 may be secured within the post bracket 38 by a fastener 56 and a nut 58. The post bracket 38 is affixed to the spring 36, which is affixed to the antler shedding apparatus. In certain embodiments, the feed tray 10 includes an outer rim surrounding the feeding portion. The plurality of flexible uprights 36, 40 may be secured to the outer rim. Alternatively, the uprights 36, 40 may be secured directly to a top surface of the upper frame member 20. The flexible uprights 36, 40 may be secured to the antler shedding apparatus in a circular formation.
The uprights 36, 40 may be secured to the antler shedding apparatus by a threaded bracket and a nut 60. Alternatively, the spring 36 may be directly connected to a mounting screw 72 that threadably secures with a female threaded portion of the antler shedding apparatus. Further, in certain embodiments, the spring 36 may be secured to a mounting bracket 74 having mounting plate holes 76. Fasteners may run through the mounting plate holes 76 and into the upper frame member 20.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/004,452, filed May 29, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62004452 | May 2014 | US |
