US1673758A - Poultry-feeding device - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1928. 1,673,758

6. c. PARTLOW POULTRY FEEDI NG DEVI C E Filed Feb. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w jnveutoz 6/11/09 6. Par/70w Patented June 12, 1928.

This invention relates to stock feeding de- An important object of the invention is to feed to the stock.

Another important ob ect of the invention including means whereby the proportion of amounts of different kinds of food can be v i readily and easily varied by a slight adjustfulcrum bar 25 for a purpose to be hereinment of the device.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a. device for dispensing different kinds of food, and which will automatically position food of one kind out of reach of the stock when another kind of food is made accessible.

Other objects and advantages of the iiiof the following description.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the feeding device in use,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section through a part of the device on the line t10H f t l CG- 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the fulcrum member,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the fulcrum bar and showing the graduations thereon,

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of descllbed hereinafterone of the feed dispensing devices.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the lower end thereof,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of another dispensing device associated with the fulcrum bar, parts being removed to illustrate the Set, gel-6W 2r} extends through the top of the fulcrum l'locl; to enter the opening 2; l

and to ci'igage the bar 25 in order to retain the latter in any desired adjusted position.

The proportioning or fulcrum bar 25 is an elongated rectilinear member, and, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4, is prointerior construction, and

Figure 8 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 12 designates a support which may be secured to a post. ceiling or any other suitable stationary member. In vided with graduations 26. the present illustration, in Figures 1 and 2, this support consists of a bracket having one end folded upon itself to form front and rear walls 13 and 14: arranged in spaced parallel relationship. The rear wall 1% is pro- CHILDS C. PARTLOW, GF ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA.

POULTRY-FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed February 26, 1925. Serial No. 11,796.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- vided with an offset portion 15 above the upper edge of the front wall to form a shoulder overhanging the space between the two provide a feeding device which will autowalls. These walls of the bracket are pro- 5 inaticallv deliver predetermined amounts of vided with three vertical rows of perforations 16, 17 and 18, the rows of the front after set forth.

wall registering with the rows of perforais to provide a device of the above character, tions in the rear wall. A pin 11 is associated with a perforation of each row 16 and 18 for limiting the swinging movement of a A fulcrum member 19, as clearly shown in Figure 3, consists, in the present instance, of a substantially rectangular block adapted to be received for pivotal movement between the walls 13 and letof the support 12. A longitudinal row of apertures 20 extends transversely through the block, any one of ti ill b pparent during the course, which will accommodate a fulcrum pin 21, which is adapted to also extend through any selected pair of registering perforations in the row 17 of the walls of the bracket for pivotally supporting the fulcrum block. nut is received on an end of the bolt which forms the fulcrum pin for preventing its accidental displacement during opera It is to be particularly noted that most of the apertures 20 of the fulcrum member are arranged below the center thereof for the purpose of preventing the fulcrum block from reaching an equilibrium during operation of the apparatus, as will be more fully A transverse opening 28 is provided in the upper end of the fulcrum block to 2;- tend through opposite sides thereof in order that a graduated proportioning bar may be slidably and adjustably mounted therein.

As best seen in Figure 4;, these graduations begin adjacent the center of the bar and extend toward opposite ends thereof. The sub-divisions defined by the graduations are of equal size and the designations therefor are the same on opposite sides of the center of the bar. In the present instance, it will be noted that designations indicated by the numeral 27, beginnin at one end of the bar, range. from 20 up to 00 toward the center of the bar, and from 50 to from the center toward the same end of the bar, and the set of designations indicated by the numeral on the opposite end of the bar are arranged in corresponding fashion, the designations 50 of both series coinciding at the center of the bar so that the graduations will read from Qt) up to St), starting from either end of the bar.

Each end of the proportioning bar 25 is provided with a longitudinally extending series of apertures 29 adjacent the free ends thereof for the suspension of the feed dispensing means 30 and 31 at either end of the bar and upon opposite sides of the fulcrum thereof. This feed dispensing means may be of any suitable kind, and, in fact, may be buckets or pans suspended from the ends of the bar. However, in the present instance. I have illust 'ated two differenttypes of dispensing means associated with the proportioning bar 25 and which have a peculiar operation, due to their associa tion with the bar. A full description of these feed dispensing means will be presently given.

In order that the bar can be balanced prior to the operation of the device and for a purpose which will more clearly appear hereinafter, a removable and adjustable weigth 32 is provided. This weight in the present instance preferably consists of a member having a bifurcated lower end, whereby it may straddle the proportioning bar and be slidably mounted thereon or be entirely removable therefrom. A set screw 33 mar be provided for this weight to enter the bifurcation and secure the weight in any desired adjusted position along the proportioning bar.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 for the detail construction of the feed dispensing means 30, which. is adapted to dispense hard feed, such as grain, it will be seen that a suspension link 34 connected to a bale hinged to a receptacle or hopper 36. This suspension link 84 may be associated with any one of the apertures 29 in the end of the proportioning bar, as may be found necessary for proper operation of the device.

The bottom of the receptacle S6 is tapered inwardly. as at 37, and equipped with a central discharge opening 38. above which in spaced relation thereto and directly over the discharge opening, is positioned a dome 39. This dome is provided with depending threaded legs 40 which extend through the tapered bottom of the receptacle and have nuts ell associated therewith for supporting the dome above the tapered bottom. y

The valve means for controlling the discharge opening so that only a predetermined amount of feed is dispensed from the hopper at any one time, consists broadly of a double cone valve indicated in general by the numeral -12. A valve operating rod i3 is arranged vertically to extend through the receptacle. 3t) and the lower end of this rod is slidably mounted, in the top of the dome 3t). and that portion of the rod within and below the dome is screw threaded. as at 4.4. This double cone valve consists of a pair of cone shaped plates and 4t having their walls converging upwardly and their apiccs apertured for reception upon the operating rod 43. A pair of nuts 47 are provided for each coni-al plate and are threaded upon the rod 43 to clamp opposite sides of the apex of each plate for securely retaining the plates in the desired relationship upon the rod.

The upper cone 45 is arranged within'the receptacle above the dischargeopening to operate within the dome iit) and below lhe same; the dome being provided to permit free movement of the cone within the receptacle or hopper when it is filled with feed. This cone 45 in a non-dis ')ensing position is adapted to be arranged above the bottom of the hopper and within the dome, and when the receptacle moves to a dis 'iensing position. this upper cone 45 moves downwardly until the bar 25 engages the pin 11 whereby the upper cone is prevented from engaging the bottom of the hopper.

The lower conical plate 46 is larger than the upper cone 45 and is adapted to be arranged below the bottom of the receptacle. In Figure 6, the lower cone 40 is illustrated in engagement with the edges of the discharge opening for closing the same. and it will be observed from Figure 5 that this lower cone is adapted to move downwardly with the co-opcrating cone 4;) when the receptacle is moved to dispensing positioi'i.

The operating rod 111 heretofore referred to has its upper portion is otl'set so that: its upper terminal -19 will he loosely received in an aperture 50 in the end of the proportioning bar, beyond the link El i or point of g a I F V suspension of the hopper 3t). llns relative arrangement of the suspension points of the hopper and double cone valve 4'3 is mrcessary in order to provide for proper operation of the device. \Vith the hopper 3t; charged with feed, and the end of the bar 25 to which the homiier is connected. arranged in an upwardly inclined position, the valve means will assume the position shown in Figure ti, with the lower cone closing the discharge opening of the hopper, and the upper cone 45 arranged well up within the dome 3t. \Vhen this end of the bar swings downwardly, it will be obvious that due to the arrangement of points of suspension of the hopper and the valve means, the operatiii ing rod 43 will be HlOVGCl further downwardly than the rece jitacle as the latter moves in this direction, and, accordingly, the lower cone to will be moved downwardly away from the discharge opening of the hogper to permit contents of the latter to be disclmrged. The downward movement of the hopper S6 limited by the bar engaging the pin ll, which abutment prevents the upper cone to from seating on the bottom oi the hopper. it is to be noted that the lower cone is. due to its shape, provides, in eii'ect, a scatterii'lg means whereby the feed being dispensed troin the hopper will. be spread and scatterciil over a relatively large area.

The dispensing means 31 carried by the other end of the propm'tioning bar 25 is of ditl'erent Lt'orn'i, it being particularly adapted to dispense solt teed, such as mash. This particular dispensii'ig means also consists broadly of a tubular hopper 51, having a bale hinged thereto, with which is connected a link 53 for suspending the dispensing means from any one of the apertures 29 in the other end of the bar Unlike the dispensing means on the other end of the bar. this dispensing means 31 is not adapted to discharge the feed upon the ground, but, instead, permits stock to feed directly out oi the same. Consequently, this dispensing means is provided with a trough 54, which, in the present instance. is circular in cross section to correspond with the tubular hopper 51, it being noted that the trough is arranged. concentric to the hopper and has its rim or upstanding wall arranged in spaced relation to the walls of the hopper in order to provide space between these two members for the stock to feed out of the trough. This trough provided with a plurality of depending legs 55 for support of the feed ing means upon the ground. I

The connection between the trough and hopper performs a three-fold function. This connection consists if a plurality of rods 56, each having a looped portion pivotally connected with the lower edge oi? the hopper or. and the outer end of each rod is screw threaded and adapted to pass through an opening in the rim of the trough. A not is, o't co arse. provided for the threaded end or each rod and is adapted to engage the exterior surface of the trough rim for preventing); the trough from becoming disconnect .il from the hopper when the dispensing means is elevated from. the ground. The inner end ot each rod 56 beyond its pivot portion 57 is provided with an inwardly extending coiled or convoluted. portion 5?), which is adapted to extend at an incline upwardly into the lower end of the hopper to form an agitator.

The three-told ilunction provided by these cormecting members 536 first, that they n'ovide a connion between the hopper and trough which may be adjusted to vary the space between the hopper and the bottom of the trough for controlling the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper; secondly, these rods 56 form division members for the trough for preventing the stock from entering the trough and scattering the contents thereof, and, third, the extensions 59 form agitating means when the feeding device strikes the ground and causes the trough to move upwardly, thereby swinging the rods 56 and causing the agitating portions it) to move through the feed in the hopper.

Other agitating means are also provided tor the hopper in the suspension means therefor, and come into operation automatically upon the dispensing means striking the ground. This agitating means consists oi. a vertically disposed rod 60 mounted for vertical movement within the hopper 51 centrally thereof, the lower end of the rod being slidably mounted in a suitable guide 61 provided on the bottom of the trough 5i. Interposed in this rod (50 adjacent its lower end and near the agitating means is a coil spring 62. Theupper portion of the rod (50 is laterally ollset, as at 625, and the upper terminal (Sat thereof is loosely mounted in a perforation 65 provided in the propertioning bar 25 beyond the point of suspension of the hopper 31. As in the other term of dispensing means 30, when the end of the bar 25 moves downwardly, it will be obvious that the rod (it) will be moved downwardly in the hopper 51 to agitate the contents thereof.

In the operation of the device, as illustrated in Figure l, the propertioning bar set with respect to the fulcrum member 19 so that approximately equal quantities of the different kinds of food in the two dispensing containers will be fed to the stock. However, assuming that it.- is desirable to feed. the stock, say three pounds of soft feed or mash to every pound of hard feed, the set screw 2% will be loosened and the fulcrum bar will. be adiustei'l or slid through the fulcrum block toward the clis iensing means 31 until the graduation having the mark on the left hand end of the bar is disposed within the fulcrum block approximately at the center of gravity thereofv \l ith both dis pcnsing means empty, the weight is then positioned upon the left hand end of the bar so as to bring the two'empty hoppers or dis pensing means to a balance. This weight 32 merely provided to balance the empty hoppers when being tilled so that they will run empty simultaneousl The pin 11 is removed to permit the hopper 36 to move down *ardly sufiiciently to permit the upper cone elf) to seat upon the bottom of the hopper to close the outlet opening 38 in order to prevent dispensing of feed when the hopper is being tilled. The hoppers and 51 may int) (ill

then be filled with approximately equal (piantities of the different kinds of feed, and upon. manual depression of the hopper 50 it, is caused to dispense the predetermined quantity of hard feed, the dispensing means 31 having the soft feed will counterbalance the weight of the dispensing means 30 on the other end of the bar, due to the arrangement of the bar with respect to its fulcrum. As soon as the dispensing means 81, as shown in detail in Figure 7, strikes the ground, the trough 54- will be moved upwardly of the hopper 51, thereby causing the connecting members 56 to swing upon their pivots and move the agitators 09. The pin 11 is then inserted in the proper aperture 16 so that the dispensing means 30 can be moved downwardly when it counter-balances the dispensing means 31, and still will limit the swinging movement of the fulcrum bar to prevent the upper cone 45 from closing the discharge opening 38 when the dispensing means is dispensing feed.

This dispensing device 31 remains in contact with the ground until the stock has eaten suflicient of'the soft feed to cause the other dispensing means 30 to counterbalance the weight of the dispensing means 31, or, in the present example, until approximately three pounds of the soft feed has been consumed by the stock. At this time, the dispensing means 30 will be heavier than the. dispensing means 31, and will, therefore, coimterbalance the dispensing means 31,

ca'using it to be elevated from the ground while the dispensing means 30 moves toward the ground. During this movement of the dispensing means, the double cone valve will. be operated to cause an imi'ncdiate discharge of the predetermined quantity of hard grain feed from the dispensing means 30, after which and because the dispensing means 30 has become lighter, causes the dispensing means 31 to then counterbalance the dispensing means 30, elevating the latter and cansing the former to descend to the ground to again permit the stock to consume the desired proportionate amounts of soft feed before the dispensing means 31 again descends to permit further dispensing of hard grain from the dispensing means 30. This alternate operation of the feeding means continues as long as the dispensing means remain charged with suflicient quantities of feed, it being appreciated that some period of time elapses before the stock have eaten the requisite amount of soft feed to again cause dispensing of more hard feed.

it is to be particularly noted that the fulcrum pin 21 is arranged below the bar 25 in order to prevent the bar 25 from ever becoming balanced or reaching an equilibrium. This is accomplished by reason of the fact that there is more weight of the fulcrum member above its fulcrum pin than be low it, and, consequently, when the bar 25 swings to shift the positions of the dispensing means and begins to enter an equilibrium, the inertia of the bar 25 will cause the weight above the fulcrum pin to shift to the other side thereof, this added weight being sullicient to cause continued swinging movement of the bar, thereby preventing it from becoming balanced during operation of the device.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 8, the proportioning or fulcruin bar 25, corresponding with the proportioning bar in Figure l, is provided wih the same arrangement of gradnations as the part 225, and besides is provided with a plurality of perforations 66 arranged at spaced intervals lengthwise of the bar. A i'uicrumed pin (3? is adapted to extend through any selected perforation (56 in the fulcrum bar, depending upon the proportion of the different kinds of feed desired to be dispensed, and this pin (31' also passes through a fulcrum member 68, having its lower end formed to slidably mount the proportioning bar Pins 11 may be positioncd at opposite sides of thcmember (58 to limit swinging movement of the bar 25.

A weight 32' corresponding to the weight 32in Figure l is provided and adapted to be adiustably associated with a bar :25 for bringing the same to balance when the device is being made ready for operation.

Instead of the dispensing means being connected directly with the ends of the proportioning bar, as in Figure 1, provision is made in this embodiment for connecting the dis 'iensing means indirectly with the p10- portioning bar by attachment thereof to the upper end of the fulcrum member (LS. A pair of clamps are adjustably associated with the upper end of the fulcrum member 68, and each has connected thereto one end of a cable 70. A pair of pulleys Tl are suitably supported at opposite sides of the fulcrum, and a separate cable is passed over each pulley, as shown. Each cable has 21 depending portion 72, with which connected a dispensing receptacle of any suitable kind, such as an ordinary pan or tray, or a more elaborate dispensing means, such as shown in the preceding form of invention. It is obvious that the operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as that of the preceding form of invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not. to be limited to the exact arrangement; specified and illustrated therein, or to the shape or size of the various parts, as the illustrations herein are intended only for illustrations of the principle involved in the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, coin- Ion prising a pair of feed containers adapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, and means associated therewith for causing the containers to be alternately disposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containers adapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, and means associated therewith for causing the containers to be alternately disposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom, one of said containers being movable to dispensing position to permit stock to feed directly therefrom to remove a predetermined quantity of feed therefrom.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containers adapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, and means associated therewith for causing the containers to be alternately disposed in nondispensing position by gravity when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom, one of said containers being immediately returned to non-dispensing position as soon as it reaches dispensing position.

f. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containers adapted to be ilternately moved to dispensing position, and fulcrumed means connecting the containers for causing them to be alternately disposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom.

5. A stock feeder con'iprising a pair of dispensers, and means for mounting said dispensers whereby they will be alternately moved to dispensing position by gravity by counter-balancing each other when a predetern'iined quantity of feed has been dispensed by either one of said dispensers.

6. A stock feeder comprising a pair of feed dispensers adapted to contain several feedings to be successively dispensed, means for mounting said containers whereby they will be alternately moved to dispensing and non-dispensing positions and said means be ing adjustable whereby proportionate feedings can be dispensed by the dispensers.

7. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bur, feed dispensers connected thereto at opposite sides of the fulcrum point, said bar being adjustable at its fulcrum to any desired point whereby proportionate amounts of the feedings may be dispensed.

8. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, feed dispensing means connected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, and said bar being adjustable with respect to its fulcrum.

9. A stock feeder comprising a graduated fulcrum bar, feed dispensing means connected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, and a fulcrum member adjustably associated with said bar.

10. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, feed dispensing means connected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, a fulcrum member adjustably connected with said bar and having a. plurality of vertically spaced fulcrums.

11. A stock feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member pivoted thereto and having an opening disposed above its pivot, a fulcrum bar slidably mounted in said opening, and feed dispensing means connected with said bar and arranged upon opposite sides of said pivot.

12. A stool; feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member pivoted thereto, agraduated fulcrum bar adjustably associated with said fulcrum member, a weight adjustably associated with said bar, and feed dispensing means connected with said bar at opposite sides of said fulcrum member.

13. A stock feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member provided with a plurality of pivot pin openings, a fulcrum pin adapted to extend through any one of said openings for fulcruming said member upon said sup port, a fulcrum bar associated with said fulcrum member, and feed dispensing means connected with said bar.

14. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, a pair of feed dispensing devices connected therewith, and means for agitating the contents of one of said dispensing devices upon movement thereof to a dispensing position.

15. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, a pair of feed dispensing devices connected therewith, and means for agitating the contents of one of said dispensing devices and causing discharge of the other dispensing device upon movement of the dispensing devices to their dispensing positions.

16. A stock feeder comprising a pivoted bar, a feed dispensing receptacle suspended from said bar and having a discharge opening, a valve for said discharge opening, and a valve stem connected to said bar beyond the point of suspension of said receptacle and having connection with said valve for automatically causing the same to uncover said discharge opening upon downward movement of said bar.

17. A stock feeder comprising a receptacle adapted for vertical movement and to be arranged at times upon a support, and agitator means connected with said receptacle and adapted to be automatically moved upon engagement of the receptacle with said support.

18. A stock feeder comprising a hopper; a dispensing trough associated therewith; and means connecting said hopper and trough and forming means for adjustment of the trough with respect to the hopper, means for sub-dividing the trough, and means for agitating the contents of the hopper.

19. A stock feeder comprising a hopper, a trough carried by the hopper and adapted for vertical movement to engage a. supporting surface; a trough; and men'ibers pivotally connected to the hopper and having connection with the trough for the support of the latter and for its adjustment relative to the hopper, said members including agitat ing elements extending into the hopper and adapted to be moved by the trough engaging said supporting surface.

20. A stock feeder comprising a balance, and a pair of feed dispensers associated therewith and adapted to alternately move set my hand.

GHILDS C. PARTLOXV.

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