Electronic livestock feeding station with integral scale assembly
US8584619B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K5/0275
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A livestock feeding station includes an entrance raceway, an exit raceway arranged at an angle relative to the entrance raceway, and a feeder located at an intersection between the entrance and exit raceways. A feed dispensing mechanism selectively dispenses an allotted amount of feed into the feeder. A scale assembly having a platform located in the entrance raceway is used to individually weigh animals within the feeding station. The scale assembly includes a hinged scale platform to allow for easy cleaning, and a cantilevered scale platform extension that extends past an end of the entrance raceway and the feeder to provide a weighing platform assembly that continues to hold an entire animal during normal feeding functions. The scale assembly also includes a basket assembly construction to ensure that an accurate weight measurement can be made even if an animal is leaning against a back or front side of the station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.