Patent US3754527A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3754527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animal feeder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-13
•
Granted: 1973-08-28
•
Expires: 1991-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time is provided and includes at least one container for holding animal food and means for dumping the container at a predetermined time to cause the contents thereof to be discharged by gravity at a location accessible to the animal.
Inventors
- 👤 C Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time with a liquid and a food, said apparatus comprising a frame, a generally horizontally disposed spindle mounted on said frame, a food holder pivotally mounted on said spindle and having two isolated compartments for carrying the liquid in one compartment and the food in another compartment, a latch mounted on said frame adapted to releasably maintain said holder in a position in which the center of gravity thereof is located laterally of the axis of said spindle, timer means for releasing said latch at a predetermined time to permit said holder to pivot about said spindle sufficiently to invert said holder and cause the contents of each of said compartments to be discharged therefrom by gravity, a receptacle positioned below said holder to receive the contents of both of said compartments of said holder when it is inverted, and a housing enclosing said holder and having an access opening therein allowing an animal access to said receptacle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time with a liquid and a food, said apparatus comprising a frame, a generally horizontally disposed spindle mounted on said frame, a food holder pivotally mounted on said spindle and having two isolated compartments for carrying the liquid in one compartment and the food in another compartment, a latch mounted on said frame adapted to releasably maintain said holder in a position in which the center of gravity thereof is located laterally of the axis of said spindle, timer means for releasing said latch at a predetermined time to permit said holder to pivot about said spindle sufficiently to invert said holder and cause the contents of each of said compartments to be discharged therefrom by gravity, a receptacle positioned below said holder to receive the contents of both of said compartments of said holder when it is inverted, and a housing enclosing said holder and having an access opening therein allowing an animal access to said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holder is supported above said rod with the center of gravity of said holder located laterally of a vertical plane containing the axis of said spindle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said latch comprises a lever pivotally mounted for limited movement about an axis in response to said release means, said lever defining a hook, and wherein said holder is provided with a surface adapted to cooperate with said hook of said lever for releasably retaining said holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said lever includes a ferromagnetic portion and wherein means are provided to create a magnetic field tending to create a force on said lever so as to cause said lever to pivot and disengage the hook of said lever from said holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a walled housing encloses said frame and said holder so as to shield same from the weather, wherein an opening is provided in one wall of said housing, and wherein said receptacle includes a trough within said housing which receives food from said holder and communicates with a feeding tray located outside said housing.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time, said apparatus comprising a housing and frame means, a generally horizontally disposed spindle mounted on said housing and frame means, a food holder pivotally mounted on said spindle, a latch mounted on said housing and frame means to releasably maintain said holder in a position in which the center of gravity thereof is located laterally of the axis of said spindle, timer means for releasing said latch at a predetermined time to permit said holder to pivot downwardly by gravity about said spindle sufficiently to invert said holder and to cause the contents thereof to be discharged therefrom, a receptacle accessible to said animal and including a chute positioned below said holder to receive the contents of said holder when it is inverted, means abutting said inverted holder to stop its downward rotation in a position aligned with said chute to discharge its contents into said chute and said receptacle, said housing and frame means enclosing said holder, said latch and said timer means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time, said apparatus comprising a housing and frame means, a generally horizontally disposed spindle mounted on said housing and frame means, a food holder pivotally mounted on said spindle, a latch mounted on said housing and frame means to releasably maintain said holder in a position in which the center of gravity thereof is located laterally of the axis of said spindle, timer means for releasing said latch at a predetermined time to permit said holder to pivot downwardly by gravity about said spindle sufficiently to invert said holder and to cause the contents thereof to be discharged therefrom, a receptacle accessible to said animal and including a chute positioned below said holder to receive the contents of said holder when it is inverted, means abutting said inverted holder to stop its downward rotation in a position aligned with said chute to discharge its contents into said chute and said receptacle, said housing and frame means enclosing said holder, said latch and said timer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said means for abutting said receptacle is an upper end of said inclined chute which extends through an opening in said housing and frame means to said receptacle which is exterior of said housing and frame means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |