This disclosure pertains to an animal feeder, and in particular pertains to an improved wet-dry animal feeder that prevents animal injury and withstands the stresses typically encountered by a feeder used in a livestock operation.
The wet-dry feeder art requires improvements for the swine production industry to address continued deficiencies in structural failure, feed leakage, feed shelf adjuster robustness and animal health and well-being.
Current feeders frequently experience structural failures that include failures of divider panels, feed shelf spans, and feed pan connections to the floor. More specifically, the divider panels used to create feed stalls and reduce conflict between adjacent animals during feeding are failing due to bending and joint failure both due to design and assembly methods. Ultimately, the animal feed stall needs structural improvements to maintain the integrity of the individual feeding spaces and increase animal well-being by minimizing conflicts between animals.
Feed shelf spans often fail due to deflection and yielding due to failure to apply simple engineering principles such as load transfer, use of existing structural elements, and constraining components to increase robustness. For example, many existing feeders feature an adjustment mechanism that is connected to the feed shelf with a flat plate connecting strap. The strap is then connected to the flat surface of the feed shelf. This loading places a moment on the connecting strap and results in flexing and bending of both the shelf and the strap. Bent shelves and straps reduce the ability to control the feed rate. The flat surface of the feed shelf is weakest part of the shelf profile for transferring the shelf loading. Loading is created by the feed or the animal's interaction with the feeder, and in situations where the feed and animal are both placing loads on the flat surface of the feed shelf, failure can occur. Finally, the connecting strap which parallels the end panel surface is subject of the unique failures caused by feed trapped between the two paralleling surfaces. These failures include inaccurate positioning or total inoperability.
Feeders secured to the floor with the addition of a bolt down plate are flexing and failing. The addition of an external bolt down plate interferes with the installation of pen gating.
Feed leakage often occurs around the shelf that separates the feed supply tank from the feed pan where the animal eats from. In addition, failure of the adjustment mechanism to maintain a feed supply rate results in uncontrolled feed delivery and wasted feed. In feeders that use a mechanical shelf adjustment, failure results in a fully open state and uncontrolled delivery of feed. In the worst case, the feed overflows the pan and enters the bio-waste system, thus reducing feed efficiency.
A typical wet-dry feeder is typically manufactured of 300-grade stainless steel. The manufacturing process includes cutting, bending, and the welding the parts and sub-assemblies together. Current construction techniques rely on the welding of unintentional combination and cost reduction forms to provide strength and well-being at joints and along spans.
Historical feeder art falls into these general subgroups: assembly methods; internal agitation systems; fixed feed surfaces that are relatively parallel to the side panel feed gates; adjustable feed shelves that perform as the feed gates; flat strap connection between shelf and adjustment mechanism; threaded, lever-linkage, and friction adjustment mechanisms; and dry or wet-dry feeders.
Mayo (U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,545) teaches an assembly method utilizing a complex series of bends and interlocking panels, and is a non-economical solution. Animal well-being is an important consideration for any livestock feeder, and the non-continuous bends featured in the Mayo feeder expose sharp edges exposed that can cause cut injuries to animals that can result in infection and death.
Pannier (U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,274) and Kingery (U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,484) teach systems for minimizing clogging due to feed bridging. With the move to indoor production, proper angle of repose and the use of low coefficient of friction materials such as stainless steel this requirement is not utilized in modern feeders.
Tolley (U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,320), Van Dusseldorp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,049), Herring (U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,518), Kingery (U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,484), Pannier (U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,274), Schwieger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,130), Petersen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,591), Bohlmann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,151), Herring, Sr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,087), King (U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,798), Evans, III et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,894), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,926), Bondarenko et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,200), Pollock et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,705), Lato (U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,204), and Adermann (U.S. Pat. No. 8,800,491) all teach a feed flow control solution utilizing vertical feed gates that are generally parallel to the angle of repose of the side panel. The feed gates typically have guides on each end and are connected to a positioning mechanism located remotely and in proximity of the top of the feed bin. When the vertical feed gates are raised, creating an opening, feed flows from the tank into each feed stall or stationary shelf. This system does not promote the hog's instinct to root for food.
Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,508), King (U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,727), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,849), Hofer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,139), and Jansen et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,313,999) teach a positional feed shelf typically controlled by a control mechanism located in proximity of the top of the feed bin at each end. The feed shelf spans the width of the feeder and promotes the natural rooting instinct of the hog. This rooting causes feed to fall off the shelf into the feed stall and pan. The vertical feed gates and feed shelf position are controlled by fixed anchoring, threaded, lever-linkage and friction mechanisms.
Tolley (U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,320) discloses the most basic of the feed gate adjustment mechanism which utilizes bolt and nut to set the vertical feed gate or feed shelf position.
Van Dusseldorp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,049), Herring (U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,518), Schwieger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,130), Petersen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,591), Bohlmann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,151), Thibault (U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,338), Zumbahlen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,023), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,508) King (U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,798), Wiwi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,164), Evans III et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,894), Waldner et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,656), Hofer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,139), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,285), Brisby (U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,934), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,926), and Loewe (U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,455) all teach threaded adjustment mechanisms. All thread adjustment systems are time consuming methods for changing feed rates and are not representative of the current industry standard. This is due to the rate of adjustment of thread pitch, which is extremely slow and laborious. For instance, a two-inch movement in the vertical feed gate or feed shelf requires 16 revolutions with a thread pitch of eight. With some of the existing solutions there are two to four adjustment links, i.e., up to 64 revolutions needed to fully change a single feeder's settings.
Van Dusseldorp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,049), Bohlmann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,151), Zumbahlen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,023), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,508), Hofer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,139), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,285), Brisby (U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,934), and Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,926) all disclose a variant of a rod that is long or short with a threaded section. The rod is constrained to allow only rotational movement. The rod's threaded section is inserted into a threaded sleeve, nut, or collar which is fixed to the feed adjustment gate via a flat strap or linkage connected to the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. Herring (U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,518) discloses a similar threaded rod solution, but the threads are inversely located to the top and a simple wing nut is used to make the adjustment. Petersen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,591) teaches a vertical threaded mechanism with a crank and components fundamentally similar to Herring and others but coupled to a feed adjustment mechanism which includes an animal actuated system to disturb the feed in the tank to prevent bridging. Thibault (U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,338) teaches another threaded solution that connects to a flexible member such as a rope, cable, or chain to lift a feed adjust gate. The gate's weight and feed apply the load through the flexible member. Evans III et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,894) and Waldner et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,656) teach simple locking methods to prevent unintended adjustment of threaded adjustment mechanisms. Finally, Loewe (U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,455) teaches a threaded adjustment mechanism that changes the relative position of the feed tank to the feed stall, thus increasing or decreasing the feed rate. The mechanism of Loewe does not provide an easy or practical method for high volume animal production.
Kingery (U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,484), Bondarenko et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,200), Rasmussen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,867), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,142), Lato (U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,204), Adermann (U.S. Pat. No. 8,800,491), Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,109), and Jansen et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,313,999) all teach variations of lever and linkage adjustment mechanisms. All levers utilize a pivot point, a connection linkage between the lever and the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. The lever may utilize a locking system mechanically retaining the desired position. Kingery (U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,484) teaches a lever-linkage mechanism connected to a slide plate gating system. The L-shaped lever provides mechanical advantage and a positioning method located on one leg and the linkage is connect to the other leg. Bondarenko et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,200) teaches a lever-linkage system that has a spring-loaded latch pin that engages with holes in the end panel. To set a feed gate, the operator pulls the latch pin and moves the lever to the desired feed rate setting. Bondarenko's system has a pointer integrated in the lever which points to a scaled reference of vertical feed gate or feed shelf position. The feeder may have more than one lever-linkage system to fully adjust feeder output flow. The holes in the end plate for securing the latch pins may allow for feed leakage.
Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,923,142 and 8,939,109) teaches a lever-linkage system where a fine set of teeth are radially located a distance ‘r’ from the axis of rotation. The handle has a matching set of fine teeth that interlock with the radially located teeth. This interaction may require an operator to use two hands to deflect and hold the handle or a release latch in the deflected state during adjusting the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. A pair of intersecting slots, one in the mounting plate and one in the handle, guide a pin in the flat lifting strap to maintain the flat strap vertical and adjust the height position of the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. Lato (U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,204) teaches a multi lever-link system that utilizes interlocking tabs and slots in a handle and control plate. Unlike many other lever-linkage systems the handle movement is not parallel to the end panel. The lever still pivots about a bolt or pin and linkage is connected to the handle and the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. Adermann (U.S. Pat. No. 8,800,491) teaches a multitude of lever-linkage systems that provide multiple combinations of linking one control with a locking apertures method to control one or multiple vertical connection links to the vertical feed gate or feed shelf. Rasmussen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,867) discloses a lever-linkage and system also using a aperture locking control lever.
Jansen et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,313,999) teaches a friction mechanism that allows the operator to infinitely adjust the shelf position without first releasing and securing a mechanical lock after adjusting. The friction mechanism includes a floating fibrous disk material compressed between two steel structures. In simplified form, a central bolt is tightened to increase loading and the friction force to prevent rotation. Engineering principles teach that as the bolt loading increases, the plate becomes concaved and the normal force applied to friction material decreases radially from the bolt centerline axis. Alterations to the design to improve the expected performance includes a second bolt is added at a radius greater than the outer diameter of the friction material. Then the tightening of the axis bolt and radial bolt creates a linear compression zone between the two fasteners. This method is structurally detrimental to the floating friction material. This compression zone results in the friction material to experience a compression and tension duty cycle in zones mirrored about the compression zone. This repeated cycling results in catastrophic failure of the friction material resulting in lack of feed shelf position control. Loss of shelf control delivers too much feed to the animals and in the case of hog confinement applications feed waste into the bio waste holding pit below the floor. The fibrous disk material's coefficient of friction is affected by material finish and moisture further complicating the ability to repeatably set load values. Attempts have been made to increase the friction by blasting the material surface to increase roughness.
Many feeders, including Jansen et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,313,999) connect the adjuster mechanism and feed shelf with a flat strap parallel with the feeder end panel and a 90-degree bend installed and bolted underneath the feed shelf. The flat part of the strap is parallel with the feed bin end panel. The bend is located under the shelf top surface and bolted. The load of the feed acts on the shelf face causing the shelf to bend between the two end supports causing the straps to bow away from the tank end panel and results in feed becoming lodged between the two surfaces. Lodged feed results in the restriction of motion and decreasing the aperture opening, decreasing feed release. A design that prevents the lodging of food in the adjustment mechanism components is desired.
Feed stall divider in many feeders are just assumed and are not thoroughly engineered to withstand the long-term abuse from confined animals. For most disclosed feeders, the divided feed stall is just a simple bar as taught by King (U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,798). King's dividers do not prevent visual contact between animals and thus probably served as a tank support versus a solution to minimize feeding conflict and animal well-being. Thibault (U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,338), Barewald (U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,315), Lato (U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,204), and Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,109) all teach an extended feed stall divider panel. The divider typically begins in the feed pan, extends parallel to the feed tank and is connected to the tapered section of the feed tank. The feed stall divider panel is typically welded around the perimeter and on the exposed face has a safety hem. The safety hem may be a closed, open, tear drop or rolled form. This form provides well-being protection for the feeding animal and limited gains in lateral strength. Due to this limited structural gain, feed stall dividers are flexed back and forth by the animal resulting in fatigue and failure, most likely near a weld. Failure in this structure reduces the feeder efficiency and increase the likelihood of animal conflict during feeding.
Kleinsasser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,508) teaches the basic concept of a wet-dry feeder with a water system below a movable shelf, connected to an adjustment mechanism by a flat strap parallel to an end panel. Data has proven the wet-dry feeder to provide the greatest efficiency in calorie conversion.
Therefore, for all the reasons stated above and herein, there is a need in the art for an improved livestock confinement feeder.
Thus, it is the object of the disclosure to provide an improved confinement feeder that improves upon the state of the art.
Another object of the disclosure is a feeder in which all animal contact surfaces are structurally robust to withstand long-term high-volume animal contact.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feeder in which all animal contact surfaces are structurally robust, interconnected, and jointed in a manner to withstand long-term high-volume animal contact.
Another object of the disclosure is to ensure animal well-being by providing contact surfaces that are continuously smooth, thus preventing injury.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a durable feed shelf adjuster mechanism.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is simple to operate.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is operable with a single hand.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism adjustable by discrete increments.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that can be remotely controlled.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a simple to manufacture high volume feed shelf adjuster mechanism.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is simple to install.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is adjustable to accommodate different feed loadings.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is adjustable to accommodate different operator requirements.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feed shelf adjuster mechanism that is retrofittable to prior feeder mechanism solutions.
Another object of the disclosure is better control of feed shelf position.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide feed shelf positioning nomenclature that is permanent.
Another object of the disclosure is to eliminate feed packing behind or in the feed shelf adjuster and components.
Another object of the disclosure is to prevent feed waste and loss between feeder components.
Another object of the disclosure is to minimize fastening hardware.
Another object of the disclosure is to better utilize design elements to improve force transfer from feed shelf to shelf adjuster mechanism.
Another object of the disclosure is automation of production with robotic MIG weld.
Another object of the disclosure is automation of production with robotic spot weld.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feeder shipped ready to install.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feeder that can be a dry feeder only.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feeder that can be a wet dry feeder.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a water system that can be easily removed for service.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a feeder shelf with appropriate rattle to stimulate hog rutting.
Another object of the disclosure is to minimize the material thickness.
Another object of the disclosure is increase strength of components by engineering proper load transfer.
These and other undisclosed objects, features, or advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the specification, figures and claims.
The disclosure relates to a feeding system for providing feed and water to livestock. The disclosure relates to an livestock feeding system with smooth surfaces for preventing animal injury. The disclosure relates to a robust livestock feeding system that withstands repeated animal contacts. The disclosure relates to an improved livestock feeding system that stimulates a hog's natural rooting instinct. The disclosure relates to an improved livestock feeding system that provides individual feeding areas to prevent conflict between animals during feeding.
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The at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 consists of at least one 1- to 179-degree bend 32 and safety hem 34 that form a plurality of longitudinally extending bent forms providing strength and continuously smooth surface at all points of animal contact. In one embodiment, safety hem 34 is defined as folding sheet metal approximately 180 degrees about a minimal radius, thus placing the pre-bent common material surfaces generally in contact. In another embodiment, safety hem 34 is formed by a triple folded safety edge comprising a first 1- to 179-degree bend 32 about a minimal radius and a second 1- to 179-degree bend 32 about a minimal radius placing the three layers of pre-bent common material surfaces generally in contact. In other embodiments the safety hem 34 could include an open, teardrop, or rolled geometry.
The at least one end panel 22 has at least one cutout feature to allow for the mounting of the at least one water supply line assembly 9; feed shelf adjuster mechanism assembly 11; and other accessories. Each of these assembly requirements will be later disclosed. The end panel 22 can additionally or alternatively have other features for attaching components related to the feeder 1, gating, feed systems, water systems, or any other production equipment and technology necessary for animal production. All components of the at least one feed tank reservoir 3 may be constructed from stainless steel, but could be constructed from any material that provides the required mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion, and animal well-being that are needed for confined or exterior fed animal production.
In one embodiment, each side panel 24 is connected to at least one adjacent end panel 22 with at least one 90-degree strap 26. Strap 26 may comprise a length of angle iron or another elongated piece of material having a first flat surface and a second flat surface wherein the first flat surface and second flat surface are perpendicular to each other. The at least one 90-degree strap 26 is attached to side panel 24 such that a first flat surface of strap 26 is securely fastened to a surface of side panel 24, and the second flat surface of strap 26 is securely fastened to a surface of end panel 22. Strap 26 may be attached to side panel 24 and end panel 22 by spot welding or other suitable attachment method. All the ends of the longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 may be MIG welded to increase strength and smooth joints to meet animal well-being requirements. Weld points are indicated by the identifiers W1 and W2 where W1 identifies locations where spot welding is used and W2 identifies locations where MIG welding is used.
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The feed pan assembly 7 consists of at least one: feed pan 42; foot-plate 44; and horizontal divider plate 46. Like the at least one side panel 24 and end panel 22, the feed-pan outer edges 45 utilize a longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 to provide strength. In this instance, the bend is an approximately 60-degree bend 48 and a safety hem 50. Although, the angle differs between the at least one feed-pan 42, end panel 22, and side panel 24; the engineering intent is the same, increased strength and animal well-being. The feed pan's 42 longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 is welded to the at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 of the at least one end panel 22.
The at least one feed-pan 42 may be constructed from a single sheet of metal or other suitable material. The tapered walls 51, 52, 53, and 54 are bent maximizing the ratio of bent edges versus welded corner joints. To further strengthen the at least one feed-pan 42, the at least one foot-plate 44 is structurally integrated into the feed-pan's welded corners. The at least one feed-pan's 42 tapered walls 52 and 54 allow recessing the at least one foot-plate 44 within the at least one feed tank reservoir's 3 perimeter footprint. In addition to structural advantages, use of an integrated foot-plate 44 eliminates the need to ship loose parts, reduces installation time, and allows tighter positioning of gating structures.
The at least one feed-pan 42 includes at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge interlock slot 56 to receive the at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 of divider panels 70. This assembly method increases the strength of the divider panels 70 significantly.
The feed-pan assembly 7 and the of at least one horizontal divider plate 46 are welded at contact points as required. The horizontal divider plate 46 utilizes bends and safety hems for structure and animal well-being. The horizontal divider plate 46 includes reliefs, cuts, and structures to mount the water supply system, allow bi-side access to the water nipples 214, provide wash out 60 reliefs for cleaning the feeder 1, and prevent small animals (such as piglets) from moving between pens 62.
All components of the at least one feed tank reservoir 3 may be formed from stainless steel, but any other material that provides for the mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion, and animal well-being requirements for confined or exterior fed animal production may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
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The at least one divider panel 70 and the at least one tab 74 are generally planar to at least one side panel 24 and joined with at least one spot weld W1. The at least one divider panel 70 and at least one tab 78 are generally planar to at least one feed-pan 42, respectively and joined with at least one spot weld W1. The bottom of the divider panel 70 features a longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 that is inserted into the longitudinally extending double folded safety edge interlock slot 56 of the feed-pan 42 and MIG welded at location W2. The top edge of the longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 is MIG welded at welding location W2 to at least one side panel 24. The remainder of tabs 78 are spot welded W1, welded, clinched locked, bolted bonded, or otherwise attached with standard metal fabrication techniques. A final connection of the at least one divider panel 70 and the at least one horizontal divider plate 46 is completed with at least one connector tab 82. The at least one connector tab 82 is interlocked to the at least one horizontal divider plate 46 using at least one slot lock tab 84. The at least one slot lock tab 84 has at least one tab that interlocks with a precut slot on the at least one horizontal divider plate 46. The at least one connector tab 82 is secured to the at one divider panel 70 in this disclosure using spot welding.
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The at least one divider panel 70 may be formed from stainless steel or any material that provides for the mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion and animal well-being requirements for confined or exterior fed animal production.
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The at least one feed shelf assembly 5 is not a rigid structure. When used in hog confinements, the natural rooting of the hog rattles the feed shelf assembly 5 vertically and horizontally, causing food to become dislodged into the feed-pan 42. The at least one feed shelf 92 has at least one vertical beam 116 and at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30 which is mirrored about a mid-plane.
The at least one vertical shelf beam 116 is extremely important to transferring the shelf 92 loading to the feed shelf adjuster mechanism assembly 11, thus eliminating a common failure point of other feeders. The at least one vertical shelf beam 116 structurally performs like a common floor truss. The vertical shelf beam 116 ends are simply supported and the shelf 92 load carrying capacity across the span is increased due to the depth of the vertical section, i.e., 1=(bh{circumflex over ( )}3)/12, where h is the height of the vertical shelf beam 116 and b is the thickness of the sheet metal or other material used to construct the shelf 92. Increasing the height of the vertical shelf beam 116 increases the span, reduces deflection and minimizes material required.
The at least one feed shelf 92 is structurally reinforced within the area bounded or boxed in by the planar feed surface 112, feed stops 114, and vertical shelf beams 116 using at least one cross bar 94. One or more cross bars may comprise generally rectangular pieces of sheet metal or other suitable material connected to the vertical shelf beam 116 and feed shelf 92. The at least one cross bar 94 is MIG weld to the vertical shelf beam 116 and the feed shelf 92 reducing deformation due to outward deflection of the vertical shelf beam 116.
The at least one feed shelf 92 when used with the at least one adjustment mechanism 11 can rotate about each point where the feed shelf 92 connects or contacts the adjustment mechanism 11. In extreme positions this non-planar position causes the ends of the vertical shelf beam 116 to contact with the end panel 22. Contact with the end panel 22 can cause binding, lodging, damage to shelf 92 or end panel 22 or both shelf 92 and end panel 22. Therefore, as shown in
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In one embodiment, all components of the at least one feed shelf assembly 5 excluding the seal 102 may be stainless steel or any other material that meets the mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion and animal well-being requirements of confined or exterior fed animal production.
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The at least one tooth 150 is rotationally patterned at least one time about the center axis to create a radial tooth 150 pattern. The number of teeth 150 determines the increment at which the feed shelf 92 can be adjusted. The disclosed feeder 1 adjustment system's minimum angular adjustment is 6-degrees, 60 teeth 150, which number can be increased or decreased per feeding requirements. The at least one outer click plate 132 is engineered to contact the outer surface of the end panel 22 and be angularly constrained to the end panel by at least one radial slot 158 and at least one click plate radial tab 160 located about the handle 122 axis of rotation in the end panel 22. The at least one outer click plate 132 has a cylindrical bearing surface 164 revolved about the central axis of rotation. The at least one outer click plate 132 cylindrical bearing surface 164 positions the outer click plate 132 cylindrically to the end panel journal 163 and provides a bearing surface for the inner click plate 134 to rotate about the handle 122 axis of rotation. The cylindrical surface 164 must be free to slide normal to the end panel 22 within the constraining end panel journal 163 and radial tab 160. Moving the at least one handle 122 causes the at least one click plate spring 136 to compress due to teeth 150 moving up contacting teeth 150 surfaces, then relocking, incrementing the feed shelf 92 position.
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The adjustment of the feed shelf assembly 5 requires only the operator to push or pull on the handle 122 to move the feed shelf assembly 5. In one embodiment, the shelf adjusting mechanism 11 is mounted in a left- or right-handed orientation. The location of the at least one end panel journal 163 on the same side of the central plane, parallel to the side panel 24 allows common handle 122 motion, either pulling or pushing to move the feed shelf assembly 5 up or down. This function requires either the handle 122 to have a left- and right-handed configuration or a bi-directional handle 122.
The at least one inner click plate 134 and outer click plate 132 assembly is self-cleaning. In the event feed enters the click plates 132, 134 between the at least one inner click plate 134 seal surface 174 and the interior surface of at least one end panel 22, it will be ground between the teeth; exit into the interior space of the click plate assembly; and ultimately exit through the at least one vent hole 162 located in the at least one outer click plate 132.
Alternative tooth geometries could be utilized to provide discrete feed shelf assembly 5 positioning.
In one embodiment, the at least one outer click plate 132 and inner click plate 134 are hardenable stainless steel material. Alternatively, the click plates 132 and 134 may be constructed from injectable plastics, polymers, or synthetics that provide the mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion and animal well-being requirements for confined or exterior fed animal production. Furthermore, in one embodiment the at least one outer 132 and inner click plate 134 are manufactured using powdered metal casting and sintering process for high repeatability and required production rates. Other manufacturing methods may be used to yield the same performance capabilities without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
The at least one handle 122 is planar constrained between the at least one inner click plate 134, at least one end panel 22; and radially constrained to the at least one handle slot 172. The at least one handle 122 is formed with the at least one bend 200, in a sheet metal fabricated design as disclosed, the at least one lift tab 202 parallel to the end panel 22. The at least one lift tab 202 is disclosed as oriented towards the centerline of rotation. The at least one lift tab 202 can be oriented in any other angular reference to provide the required connection to a lifting strap, rod, cable, or other connecting element between two elements. The at least one lift tab 202 has a pendulum lift strap pivot surface 190 radially positioned about the handle 122 assembly's axis of rotation. The radial position of the at least one lift tab 202 is a function of degrees of handle 122 adjustment and the maximum feed shelf 92 opening requirements. The total handle 122 degrees of movement define the arc length of the pendulum lift strap arc 194 and the at least one pendulum lift strap locking key arc 197. The at least one lift tab 202 parallel is mirrored about the axis of rotation, creating a functional handle 122 for clockwise- and counter-clockwise rotation applications, as shown by example. Similarly, the at least one pendulum locking key 136 has a pendulum lift strap pivot surface 190 radially positioned about the handle 122 assembly's axis of rotation and pendulum lift strap arc 194. The at least one pendulum lift strap upper slot 146 is coincident and free on the combined pivot surfaces of at least one pendulum lift strap pivot surface 190 and the at least one pendulum lift strap locking key pivot surface 195. The unconstrained pivot allows the at least one pendulum lift strap 128 to remaining normal to the at least one feed shelf assembly 5. The at least one lift tab 202 has a means to secure the at least one pendulum locking key 136. In one embodiment, at least two extruded elements are used in combination with at least two square holes that use fastening hardware 198, which may comprise carriage bolts and locking nuts, to fully constrain the pendulum lift strap 128 to the at least one handle assembly 122. The at least one lift tab 202 allows installation of the click plate spring 136, washer, and lock nut.
As shown in
The at least one pendulum lift strap 128 extends through the at least one rattle plate 104, feed shelf 92, mechanically interlocks with at least one lift bar 98, secured with a pendulum lift strap retaining washer 130 and secured with commodity bolt hardware. The mechanical interlock between the at least one pendulum lift strap 128, the at least one rattle plate 104, feed shelf 92, the at least one lift bar 98 and at least one pendulum lift strap retaining washer 130 ensures the feed shelf assembly 5 can be “rattled” by the feeding animal to dislodge feed.
The at least one pendulum lift strap 128 is oriented generally perpendicular to the at least one end panel 22 to prevent “feed packing.” Feed packing can impair the adjustment accuracy, and in severe case jam movement of the opening of the at least one feed shelf assembly 5.
In one embodiment, the at least one handle assembly 122, the at least one pendulum lift strap 128, the at least one pendulum locking key 136, and assembly components and fastening hardware are constructed of stainless steel, but in other embodiments could be any material that provides the mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion and animal well-being requirements for confined or exterior fed animal production.
In one embodiment, the ends of feed shelf assembly 5 can be moved independently. The feeder 1 could be modified: 1) to maintain the shelf 92 in a planar motion by connecting the pendulum lift straps 128 to a common mechanism, 2) move the shelf 92 end independently with a common handle 122 design and moving handles 122 in opposite directions when positioned at the side of the feeders 1.
In one embodiment, the at least one handle 122 may be a welded assembly of two laser cut and press braked stainless steel parts that are MIG welded together. The at least one handle 122 may be constructed from any material which provides similar or same function, mechanical structure, resistance to corrosion and animal well-being requirements for confined or exterior fed animal production.
The feeder 1 has a water line system which is well known to the animal feeder industry. The water supply line 210 extends normal to and through the at least one end panel 22. The opposing end is support by the at least one horizontal divider plate 46. The water bar has at least one nipple 58 per feed stall 14. As disclosed, the at least one nipple 58 is shared by opposing feed stalls. The at least one water supply line 210 is connected to at least one vertical water supply line 59. The water supply from the building is then connected to the feeder 1.
The at least one feed tube positioner 220 is used to located drop tubes from a building's central supply feed system. These feed tubes drop from the ceiling and may have one or two supply tubes per feeder 1. The at least one feed tube positioner 220 constrains the feed tube in the at least one feed drop tube slot 228. The at least one feed drop tube slot 228 allows tubing to pass through vertically or at an angle. The at least one feed tube positioner 220, by example, is fabricated sheet metal with folded edges to provide structural strength. In this application with no animal contact, no requirement exists for utilizing the longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30, as utilized throughout the feeder's 1 structural disclosure. As discussed previously, the at least one side panel 24 is blanked and fabricated using at least one longitudinally extending double folded safety edge 30. Therefore, accessories such as the at one feed tube positioner 220 must mount and secure without the used of typical fasteners. To lock onto the at least one side panel 24, the at least one feed tube positioner 220, has the at least one location slot 221 which extends from one folded edge to the opposing folded edge. The slot is parallel to the top surface of the at least one feed tube positioner 220. Parallel to the least one location slot 221 are slots that allow for the insertion of the cam lock hook 226. Once inserted, the cam lock hook 226 rotates to apply force against the inside of the feed tube positioner 220. This pressure is increased when the cam lock fulcrum 225 contact the outer surface of the at least one feed tube positioner 220. The opposing forces of the cam lock hook 226 and cam lock fulcrum 225 compress and lock the at least one feed tube positioner 220 to the at side panel 24.
The cam lock 224 is compressed using a bolt (not shown) at the other side and folded edge. The force applied by the bolt further secures the at least one feed tube positioner 220 and the at least one side panel 24. The attachment method is repeated on the opposing side.
The size of the feeder 1 can be modified to increase feed tank 3 capacity, number of feed stalls 14 and general dimensions of materials and geometry.
The feed shelf adjuster mechanism assembly 11 could be converted to be used in retrofitting other feeders with less robust designs.
The feed shelf adjuster mechanism assembly 11 could be utilized in other control applications.
As shown in
1—animal feeder or feeder
3—feed tank or reservoir assembly or feed tank/reservoir assembly or feed tank reservoir or feed tank
5—adjustable feed shelf assembly or feed shelf assembly or shelf assembly
7—feed-pan assembly or pan assembly
9—water supply line assembly
11—feed shelf adjuster mechanism assembly or adjustment mechanism or feed shelf adjusting mechanism
13—divider panel
14—feed stall
15—feed supply line tube assembly
17—blocker plate
22—end panel
23—angle of repose
24—side panel
25—feed exit
26—90-degree strap or strap
28—end panel tab
30—longitudinally extending double folded safety edge or double folded edge
32—bend
34—safety hem
36—spot welding
42—feed-pan or pan box
44—foot-plate
46—horizontal divider plate
51—feed-pan wall
52—feed-pan wall
53—feed-pan wall
54—feed-pan wall
56—longitudinally extending double folded safety edge interlock slot
59—vertical water supply line
60—wash out
62—moving between pens
70—divider panel
72—divider panel front edge
74—top edge tab
75—rear edge
76—bent edge
78—bottom edge tab
82—tab
84—slot lock tab
92—feed shelf
94—cross bar
96—seal shelf plate or seal shelf
98—lift bar
100—seal spring or spring
102—seal
104—rattle plate
112—planar feed surface
114—feed stop
116—vertical shelf beam or vertical beam
122—handle
124—anti-deflection plate
126—stop tab
128—pendulum lift strap
130—pendulum lift strap retaining washer
132—outer click plate
134—inner click plate
136—pendulum locking key
138—click plate spring or spring
140—click plate nut
141—lasered scale
142—click plate washer
144—click plate bolt
146—pendulum lift strap upper slot
150—tooth
152—radial lines
154—inner relief
156—outer relief
158—radial slot
160—radial tab
162—vent hole
163—end panel journal
164—cylindrical bearing surface
170—inner cylindrical surface
172—handle slot
174—seal face
180—bolt
182—washer
184—nut
190—pendulum lift strap pivot surface
192—handle assembly containment surface
194—pendulum lift strap arc
195—pendulum lift strap locking key pivot surface
196—pendulum lift strap locking key containment surface
197—pendulum lift strap locking key arc
198—fastening hardware
200—bend
202—lift tab
214—water nipple
210—water supply line
220—feed tube positioner
221—location slot
228—feed drop tube slot
226—cam lock hook
225—cam lock fulcrum
224—cam lock
230—Gear driven
232—Gear driving
234—Motor
W1—spot weld
W2—MIG weld
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/938,731 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein fully by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62938731 | Nov 2019 | US |