US3916837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Baffle for trough feeder
Assignee: CTB Inc
•
Filing: 1974-03-18
•
Granted: 1975-11-04
•
Expires: 1994-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A trough feeder for poultry and the like is provided with a shield to prohibit poultry from reaching into the trough during feed depositing operations. The shield can comprise a swingable portion movable between a closed and an opened position. A shield drive includes cables connected to the shield and a drive screw follower. A time clock and a feed level sensor can be included in a drive motor energizing circuit to open and close the feeder top when pre-set times and feed levels are reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Murto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:27
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0291; A01K39/00; A01K39/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a trough feeder for poultry and the like, the trough including a feed-retaining trough bottom and an open top through which the poultry can reach the feed, and the feeder further including means for depositing feed along the trough bottom, the improvement comprising poultry shield means alternatively movable into a closed position to prohibit the poultry from reaching the feed as feed is being deposited on the trough bottom, and movable into an opened position to permit the poultry to reach the feed after a quantity of feed has been so deposited on the trough bottom, and means for moving the shield between said opened and closed positions in response to the presence or absence of feed at a predesignated location in the trough feeder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a trough feeder for poultry and the like, the trough including a feed-retaining trough bottom and an open top through which the poultry can reach the feed, and the feeder further including means for depositing feed along the trough bottom, the improvement comprising poultry shield means alternatively movable into a closed position to prohibit the poultry from reaching the feed as feed is being deposited on the trough bottom, and movable into an opened position to permit the poultry to reach the feed after a quantity of feed has been so deposited on the trough bottom, and means for moving the shield between said opened and closed positions in response to the presence or absence of feed at a predesignated location in the trough feeder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A shield according to claim 1 wherein said shield comprises an elongated hinged member having a first portion affixed to the trough and a second portion swingable about the first portion from the opened relatively vertical position into the closed relatively horizontal position across the trough top.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shield according to claim 2 wherein said hinged member is formed in one piece, and wherein said first portion and said second portion are continuously interconnected along the length of the member by a relatively thin, flexible living hinge membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A trough feeder for poultry and the like, the trough including an elongated feed-retaining trough bottom and a plurality of upwardly projecting trough sides defining a normally open trough top through which poultry can reach feed, the feeder further including means for delivering feed along the trough bottom, and shield means movable between a closed position across the trough top prohibiting poultry from reaching the feed and an open position away from at least one trough side permitting the poultry to reach the feed through the open trough top and sensor switch means for moving the shield means between the opened and closed positions in response to the presence or absence of feed at a predesignated location in the trough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A trough feeder for poultry and the like, the trough including an elongated feed-retaining trough bottom and a plurality of upwardly projecting trough sides defining a normally open trough top through which poultry can reach feed, the feeder further including means for delivering feed along the trough bottom, and shield means movable between a closed position across the trough top prohibiting poultry from reaching the feed and an open position away from at least one trough side permitting the poultry to reach the feed through the open trough top and sensor switch means for moving the shield means between the opened and closed positions in response to the presence or absence of feed at a predesignated location in the trough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A trough feeder according to claim 4 including shield drive means for moving the shield means between said opened and said closed positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A trough feeder according to claim 5 wherein said shield drive means includes a drive screw member and a drive screw follower member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A trough feeder according to claim 5 including time switch means for actuating the shield drive means to move the trough shield means in one direction aT pre-selected times, the sensor switch means being connected to the shield drive means to move the shield means in the opposite direction when the presence or absence of feed is sensed by the sensor switch means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of feeding poultry from an elongated trough having a normally open top through which the poultry can reach feed, including the steps of placing a shield over the trough top thereby preventing poultry from reaching into the trough, commencing the deposit of feed supply at a pre-set time simultaneously with placement of the shield over the trough top, depositing feed in the trough, sensing the amount of feed in the trough at a pre-determined location, and then simultaneously halting the deposit of feed in the trough and removing the shield from the trough top when a predetermined amount of feed has collected in a pre-determined trough location thereby permitting the poultry to simultaneously reach the deposited feed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of feeding poultry from an elongated trough having a normally open top through which the poultry can reach feed, including the steps of placing a shield over the trough top thereby preventing poultry from reaching into the trough, commencing the deposit of feed supply at a pre-set time simultaneously with placement of the shield over the trough top, depositing feed in the trough, sensing the amount of feed in the trough at a pre-determined location, and then simultaneously halting the deposit of feed in the trough and removing the shield from the trough top when a predetermined amount of feed has collected in a pre-determined trough location thereby permitting the poultry to simultaneously reach the deposited feed.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |