US3911867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Livestock feeder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-26
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A livestock feeder includes a rotary brush assembly which is supported on a track for movement above a conveyor belt which supplies feed to the brush which sweeps the feed to either side of the bunk depending on the direction of rotation of the motor of the brush assembly. An articulated frame assembly which supports the brush and brush motor has side frames connected for articulation about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis to afford independent relative movement of each side frame to insure constant engagement of the wheels of each side frame with the track notwithstanding irregularities in height of the two rails of the track. Guards over the wheels travel with the brush assembly and prevent the accumulation of feed on the track. The livestock feeder also includes a track assembly in which angle iron rails are supported on laterally extending support members located at the junctures of the rail sections. To align adjacent ends of the rail sections one of the adjacent rail ends includes a plate which projects beyond the end of the rail section and extends into the end of the adjacent rail to engage the inside surfaces and align the rail surfaces in coplanar relationship. The plate is bolted to a support beam to secure the rail in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Vernon R Berg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track having spaced rails for supporting the brush assembly for movement along a conveyor carrying feed and for distribution of feed from the conveyor in a longitudinal zone along the track, the improvement comprising an articulated frame having two side frames each of said side frames having two longitudinally extending frame members and two depending legs, wheels connected to each of said legs, and supported on said rails, and frame connecting means connecting said longitudinally extending frame members to afford independent relative movement of each side frame about a horizontal longitudinal axis to insure constant engagement of said wheels of each side frame with the track, notwithstanding the irregularities in the height of said tracks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track having spaced rails for supporting the brush assembly for movement along a conveyor carrying feed and for distribution of feed from the conveyor in a longitudinal zone along the track, the improvement comprising an articulated frame having two side frames each of said side frames having two longitudinally extending frame members and two depending legs, wheels connected to each of said legs, and supported on said rails, and frame connecting means connecting said longitudinally extending frame members to afford independent relative movement of each side frame about a horizontal longitudinal axis to insure constant engagement of said wheels of each side frame with the track, notwithstanding the irregularities in the height of said tracks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said frame connecting means comprises inwardly extending frame members connected to said side frames and pivot means connecting the adjacent ends of said laterally extending frame members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said brush assembly includes a motor supported on one of said side frames.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track for supporting the brush assembly for movement and distribution of feed in a longitudinal zone along the track, the improvement comprising a track assembly including track support members having horizontal and laterally extending support beams and said track comprising sections having angularly related outer track surfaces with the juncture of said surfaces forming the medial line of said rails and wherein adjacent ends of said rails are supported on said laterally extending support beams and connecting means for connecting the abutting ends of said rails with said outer surfaces in coplaner relationship, said means including projecting plates fixed to inside surfaces of one of said abutting rails, said connecting plate being adapted to project within the end of said other of the abutting rails to engage said inside surfaces, align said adjacent outer surfaces of said rails in coplaner relationship and fastening means to fasten said plates to said support members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track for supporting the brush assembly for movement and distribution of feed in a longitudinal zone along the track, the improvement comprising a track assembly including track support members having horizontal and laterally extending support beams and said track comprising sections having angularly related outer track surfaces with the juncture of said surfaces forming the medial line of said rails and wherein adjacent ends of said rails are supported on said laterally extending support beams and connecting means for connecting the abutting ends of said rails with said outer surfaces in coplaner relationship, said means including projecting plates fixed to inside surfaces of one of said abutting rails, said connecting plate being adapted to project within the end of said other of the abutting rails to engage said inside surfaces, align said adjacent outer surfaces of said rails in coplaner relationship and fastening means to fasten said plates to said support members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track for supporting the brush assembly for movement along a conveyor carrying feed and wherein said brush assembly includes a rotary brush sweeping the feed laterally from the conveyor, the improvement comprising legs on said brush assembly, wheels on said legs supported on said tracks and track guards located over said wheels connected to said legs, and movable with said brush assembly for preventing feed accumulation on said tracks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a livestock feeder including a brush assembly and a track for supporting the brush assembly for movement along a conveyor carrying feed and wherein said brush assembly includes a rotary brush sweeping the feed laterally from the conveyor, the improvement comprising legs on said brush assembly, wheels on said legs supported on said tracks and track guards located over said wheels connected to said legs, and movable with said brush assembly for preventing feed accumulation on said tracks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said track guards have first and second wall portions with said first wall portion projecting inwardly over said wheels and said second portion projecting downwardly along the sides of said track.
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) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |