US3557757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic selective animal feeder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-10
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Granted: 1971-01-26
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Expires: 1988-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An automatic feeding system for livestock which permits selective animals to be fed supplemental foods within those animals to be selectively fed wear actuating means about their necks such that upon the proper animal inserting its head into a feed trough, the actuating means actuates a conveyor which transfers food from a container or reservoir into the feed trough as long as the animal''s head is located in the trough. The disclosure describes several electrical control arrangements which may be used in the practice of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Cletus A Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:57
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K11/00; A01K11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, proximity operated feed transfer control means having a sensing element comprising a magnetically responsive reed switch located adjacent said trough access opening, and a feed transfer control actuating member comprising a permanent magnet adapted to be worn by the animal to be fed for initiating and maintaining continued operation of said feed transfer control means upon the animal inserting and maintaining the presence of its head in said trough through said access opening, said actuating member when disposed adjacent said sensing element causing energization of said transfer means to transfer feed from the container into said trough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, proximity operated feed transfer control means having a sensing element comprising a magnetically responsive reed switch located adjacent said trough access opening, and a feed transfer control actuating member comprising a permanent magnet adapted to be worn by the animal to be fed for initiating and maintaining continued operation of said feed transfer control means upon the animal inserting and maintaining the presence of its head in said trough through said access opening, said actuating member when disposed adjacent said sensing element causing energization of said transfer means to transfer feed from the container into said trough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a selective animal feeder system as in claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes an electric motor, and a feed conveyor connecting with said container and said trough operated by said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a selective animal feeder system as in claim 1 wherein said trough includes a panel disposed below said access opening, said sensing element being located adjacent said panel, and said actuating member being mounted on a band placed about the animal''s neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a selective animal feeder system as in claim 3 wherein a panel is disposed below said access opening, said control means including a plurality of magnetically responsive reed switches comprising said sensing element mounted on said panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, at least one magnetically responsive feed transfer means control switch located adjacent said trough access opening, and a permanent magnet adapted to be worn by the animal to be fed constituting a switch activating means for actuating and maintaining operation of the feed transfer means to present feed to the feed trough and animal only upon the continued insertion of the animal''s head into the access opening adjacent said switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, at least one magnetically responsive feed transfer means control switch located adjacent said trough access opening, and a permanent magnet adapted to be worn by the animal to be fed constituting a switch activating means for actuating and maintaining operation of the feed transfer means to present feed to the feed trough and animal only upon the continued insertion of the animal''s head into the access opening adjacent said switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a selective animal feeder system as in claim 5 wherein a plurality of magnetically responsive feed transfer means control switches are located adjacent said trough access opening, said switches being connected in parallel with respect to each other whereby each switch is capable of controlling said feed transfer means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |