Automatic livestock feeder
US4656969A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1985 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K5/0225
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic livestock feeding apparatus having a hopper, a trough, a distributor for transferring feed from the hopper to the trough, and a feed level sensing device. The feed level sensing device includes apparatus for inducing vibration of the trough when the amount of feed present in the trough falls below a predetermined level. The sensing device further includes apparatus for detecting the vibration, thus indicating a low feed level condition. The feeding apparatus also includes a distributor control device which is responsive to the low level feed condition indicated by the feed level sensing device, and which activates other apparatus to cause the trough to be replenished with either a dry feed or liquid feed mixture. A counter display may included as part of the feeding apparatus to indicate the number of times the trough has been replenished. Additional control apparatus may be included to limit trough replenishing where ration feeding is desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.