Fish self-feeder

Claim 2

An animal feeding device comprising: a a receptacle for receiving and storing feed therein, means forming a funnel associated with said receptacle and having a generally cylindrical vertical wall defining a downwardly open spout; b. a suspension pin having opposite ends thereof engaging said spout wall and supporting said pin projecting across said spout; c. a pendulum rod having an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, said suspension pin en-gaging said rod at said upper portion and suspending said rod downwardly of said spout; d. a feeder plate having an upper surface and vertically adjustable along said rod intermediate portion, said feeder plate upper surface being generally flat and having a diameter larger than the diameter of said spout constituting a feed support means in its rest position, and e. means for supporting said receptacle at an elevation whereby said rod lower portion is convenient for striking by an animal to be fed.

Claim 3

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said receptacle comprises an upright generally cylindrical container having an inside surface tapering inwardly in a downwardly direction, and b. said means forming a funnel is a funnel member having a peripheral edge engaging said tapered inside surface.

Claim 4

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said receptacle comprises an upright generally cylindrical container having a bottom wall, and b. said means forming a funnel is a funnel member with said spout projecting through said bottom wall.

Claim 5

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said spout wall has opposed openings therein, and b. said pin opposite ends project through said spout wall openings.

Claim 6

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said rod lower portion is bent into a non-linear shape.

Claim 7

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said receptacle is constructed of plastic.

Claim 8

The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. a portion of said rod upper portion extends substantially above said supporting pin.

Claim 9

An animal operated feeder comprising: a. an upright generally cylinderical receptacle having an upwardly open top, a bottom wall and a side wall, said side wall having an interior surface tapering inwardly as it approaches said bottom wall, a removable lid for covering said receptacle top, b. a funnel received within said receptacle and having a peripheral edge engaging said side wall interior surface, a central opening in said receptacle bottom wall, said funnel having a downwardly open spout extending through said bottom wall opening, c. opposed openings in said spout, a suspension pin having opposite ends thereof extending through said spout openings and supporting said pin projecting across said spout, said suspension pin depending medially of said spout, d. a pendulum rod having an upper portion with a transverse opening therethrough, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, said suspension pin extending through said rod opening and suspending said rod centrally from said funnel spout, e. a feeder plate having a generally flat horizontal upper surface and vertically slideable on said rod intermediate portion, means for adjustably retaining said feeder plate on said rod intermediate portion spaced beneath said spout, said feeder plate having a diameter larger than the diameter of said spout, and constituting a feed support means in its rest position, and f. means for supporting said container above a body of water at an elevation whereby said rod lower portion is submerged but said feeder plate is spaced above the water.

Claim 10

An animal operated feeder comprising: a. an upright generally cylinderical receptacle having an upwardly open top, a bottom wall and a side wall, said side wall having an interior surface tapering inwardly as it approaches said bottom wall, a removable lid for covering said receptacle top, b. a funnel received within said receptacle and having a peripheral edge engaging said side wall interior surface, a central opening in said receptacle bottom wall, said funnel having a downwardly open spout extending through said bottom wall opening, c. opposed openings in said spout, a suspension pin having opposite ends thereof extending through said spout openings and supporting said pin projecting across said spout, said suspension pin depending medially of said spout, d. a pendulum rod having an upper portion with a transverse opening therethrough, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, said suspension pin extending through said rod opening and suspending said rod centrally from said funnel spout, e. a feeder plate having a generally flat horizontal upper surface and vertically slideable on said rod intermediate portion, means for adjustably retaining said feeder plate on said rod intermediate portion spaced beneath said spout, said feeder plate having a diameter larger than the diameter of said spout, and constituting a feed support means in its rest position, and f. means for supporting said container above a body of water at an elevation whereby said rod lower portion is submerged but said feeder plate is spaced above the water.