Patent Application
20160270367
The present invention relates to collapsible accessories for utility trailers, camp trailers, recreational trailers, and the like, and more specifically to a folding feeding and watering device for a horse trailer.
The present invention specifically relates to horse trailers, however, the utility of the invention is equally applicable to other livestock feeding stations or other folding apparatus mounted to a fixed wall or to a wall on a movable trailer where a slim, folded profile is desired when not in use, yet provide a sturdy horizontal support surface when in use.
Horse trailers are not only designed to safely transport horses between locations, they are often used as a temporary, mobile shelter replete with feeding and watering stations. During transit, horses are occasionally removed from the trailer to allow the horses to have a break outside the trailer.
Often, the horses are tied to the trailer so that they may be fed and watered and otherwise caring for the animals. To facilitate feeding, some horse trailers include baskets coupled to the side of the trailer, other examples include temporarily suspending a bag to the side of the trailer.
However, these prior solutions are problematic. First, in an attempt to maximize fuel economy when pulling a horse-laden trailer, it is undesirable to have items jutting out from the sidewalls of the trailer. Not only does this present potential harm to pedestrians, the overall girth of such items on the exterior of the trailer increase wind resistance, hinders view from the pull-vehicle's side mirrors, and can potentially damage the trailer by striking roadside objects. Second, many horse trailer's combined with the pull vehicle and the additional value of the livestock represent hundreds of thousands of dollars investment. With this level of expenditure there is an intrinsic pride-of-ownership that demands aesthetically pleasing designs along with improved functionality.
Therefore, there remains a need for a fold-down feeding device that presents a very slim profile when closed, yet appears elegant and high-end when mounted to the trailer. Further, the feeding device needs to support the weight of several bales of hay or other feed material. Such a device should be easy to use, quick to deploy, easy to remove if unwanted, and be robust for multiple uses in normal conditions and offer a low profile to improve fuel economy of the pull-vehicle.
Possible embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings and those skilled in the art will understand that alternative configurations and combinations of components may be substituted without subtracting from the invention. Also, in some figures certain components are omitted to more clearly illustrate the invention.
Referring generally to embodiments one, two and three, the folding feeding device 10 includes a vertical (or upper) frame member 16 configured to couple to a sidewall of the horse trailer, or a wall, or a sidewall of any utility trailer, for example.
With regard to the first three embodiments as illustrated in
The vertical frame member 16 includes a top horizontal truss 71 having a first 73 and second end 75. The first end connects to a first vertical leg 81 and the second end connects to a second vertical leg 83. A bottom horizontal truss 91 links the first and second vertical legs at a position opposite from the top horizontal truss, and an intermediate horizontal linking truss 18 extends from an intermediate position on the first vertical leg to a corresponding intermediate position on the second vertical leg whereby the top horizontal truss, the bottom horizontal truss, and the intermediate horizontal linking truss are all parallel to each other. The vertical frame member has an open center and is generally rectilinear when viewed from the front and substantially flat and planar when viewed in profile, with each aforementioned truss arranged in a common plane.
The lower or horizontal frame 14 includes a feeding tray 12. The feeding tray is a substantially flat, planar surface. This lower frame and tray assembly is hingeably coupled to the vertical frame member 16 by a hinge 50 or other hinge-like feature such as opposing pins inserted into receiving holes, which arranges along an edge of the bottom horizontal truss of the vertical frame 16.
The lower frame 14 further includes a front truss 141 and an opposite and parallel back truss 143 and a left 145 and right truss 147. Each truss is arranged to form a substantial flat and co-planar rectilinear assembly. Further, the tray 12 is operable from a first vertical closed position to a second, horizontal open position. A hinge member 50 couples to both the upper frame 16 and the lower frame 14. A plurality of hinge members, in other preferred embodiments, arranges on one of the frame members (for example the vertical frame member) in a conventional manner, and is further coupled to either the horizontal frame member, or the tray, or both, to enable hinged connection between the vertical frame and the horizontal frame, the tray, or both.
To add extra strength to the cooperating vertical frame 16 and hinged lower frame 14, at least one support chain 42 is configured to link from an outer edge of the tray 12 to a position on the intermediate horizontal truss whereby in the first closed position the chain is loose and fits between the feeding tray and the vertical frame member and in the second, horizontal open position the chain is taught and configured to retain the feeding tray in the horizontal position.
The frame members and tray can be fabricated from steel, aluminum, plastic, other metals and their alloys as would be understood in the art. The bag can be made out of a synthetic fabric, canvas, or other suitable materials. The hinge 50 can, in the case of a plastic or other composite material, be integrated into either one or both of the frame members.
The device can be hung from a fence by a hook or wire.
A feedbag 80, such as the feedbag illustrated in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the folding feeding device 10 of the present invention readily adapts and configures for use, and is otherwise contemplated for use, with recreational vehicles, utility trailers, camp trailers and the like—in this form instead of a feeding table for horses—the device configures as a folding utility table, work surface, food-prep surface, dining table, and the like. Further, the device can be mounted to stand proud from the vertical wall to which it attaches, or can be recessed to sit flush with the outside surface of the wall when in the folded position.
Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims benefit under 35 USC Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/948,958 filed on 2014 Mar. 20: The present application is based on and claims priority from this application, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
