GB2033718A - Animal feeders - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal feeder comprises the combination of parts including a trough in the form of two portions 2 adapted for securement at the base, together with a bottom plate 6 for fitting below the trough and for carrying end plates 4 effective to support and seal off the respective ends of the trough. A cover 12 may be hinged to end plates 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal feeders This invention relates to animal feeders.

The invention is concerned with feeders comprising essentially a trough capable of retaining feed stock in a manner providing for easy access to the animal. Such troughs which may be of an open mesh construction are generally of awkward shape; such shape coupled with their relatively large size makes feeders both difficult and costly to store and to transport.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce these disadvantages.

According to the present invention an animal feeder comprises the combination of parts including a trough in the form of two portions divided and adapted for securement at the base, together with a bottom plate for fitting below the trough and for carrying end plates effective to support and seal off the respective ends of the trough.

Preferably the trough is in the form of metal mesh and is suitably in two symmetrical portions for ease of stacking.

Conveniently the bottom plate is adapted to carry wheels providing for movement of the feeder after assembly. To protect feed stock from adverse weather, a lid for covering the trough may be pivotally supported on the end plates.

An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is an exploded view of a sheep feeder, illustrating the individual components and, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the feeder after assembly of the components of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the feeder cornprises a trough 2 substantially in the form of a V and constructed of a suitable plastics covered or painted steel mesh. The trough is in two symmetrical halves with the separation at the base of the V to enable the two individual and symmetrical half portions to be easily stacked one above the other for packing and for carriage. By being symmetrical, one portion will nest into the other to reduce volume to a minimum.

The ends of the trough 2 are sealed by end plates 4 to prevent spillage of feed stock contained within the trough 2. The end plates which additionally support the trough are carried on a bottom plate 6 which forms part of the feeder frame.

Secured to the base of the bottom plate 6 are ties 8 carrying stub axles to which wheels 10 enabling the feeder to be moved are secured. A cover 1 2 for protecting against the weather any feed stock contained in trough 2 is pivotally mounted on the end plates 4 by way of end brackets 14. A handle 1 6 is provided on the lid 1 2 for ease of opening and closing.

The feeder of the invention has the advantage that it is easily assembled from substantially flat components which may be stacked to occupy a relatively small volume for ease of packing and transport.

1. An animal feeder comprising the combination of parts including a trough in the form of two portions adapted for securement at the base, together with a bottom plate for fitting below the trough and for carrying end plates to support and seal off the respective ends of the trough.

2. A feeder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trough is in the form of metal mesh.

3. A feeder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the trough comprises two symmetrical portions.

4. A feeder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bottom plate is adapted to carry wheels providing for movement of the feeder after assembly.

5. A feeder as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating a lid for pivotal support on the end plates to provide covering for the trough.

6. An animal feeder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Animal feeders This invention relates to animal feeders. The invention is concerned with feeders comprising essentially a trough capable of retaining feed stock in a manner providing for easy access to the animal. Such troughs which may be of an open mesh construction are generally of awkward shape; such shape coupled with their relatively large size makes feeders both difficult and costly to store and to transport. It is an object of the present invention to reduce these disadvantages. According to the present invention an animal feeder comprises the combination of parts including a trough in the form of two portions divided and adapted for securement at the base, together with a bottom plate for fitting below the trough and for carrying end plates effective to support and seal off the respective ends of the trough. Preferably the trough is in the form of metal mesh and is suitably in two symmetrical portions for ease of stacking. Conveniently the bottom plate is adapted to carry wheels providing for movement of the feeder after assembly. To protect feed stock from adverse weather, a lid for covering the trough may be pivotally supported on the end plates. An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is an exploded view of a sheep feeder, illustrating the individual components and, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the feeder after assembly of the components of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, the feeder cornprises a trough 2 substantially in the form of a V and constructed of a suitable plastics covered or painted steel mesh. The trough is in two symmetrical halves with the separation at the base of the V to enable the two individual and symmetrical half portions to be easily stacked one above the other for packing and for carriage. By being symmetrical, one portion will nest into the other to reduce volume to a minimum. The ends of the trough 2 are sealed by end plates 4 to prevent spillage of feed stock contained within the trough 2. The end plates which additionally support the trough are carried on a bottom plate 6 which forms part of the feeder frame. Secured to the base of the bottom plate 6 are ties 8 carrying stub axles to which wheels 10 enabling the feeder to be moved are secured. A cover 1 2 for protecting against the weather any feed stock contained in trough 2 is pivotally mounted on the end plates 4 by way of end brackets 14. A handle 1 6 is provided on the lid 1 2 for ease of opening and closing. The feeder of the invention has the advantage that it is easily assembled from substantially flat components which may be stacked to occupy a relatively small volume for ease of packing and transport. CLAIMS

1. An animal feeder comprising the combination of parts including a trough in the form of two portions adapted for securement at the base, together with a bottom plate for fitting below the trough and for carrying end plates to support and seal off the respective ends of the trough.

2. A feeder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trough is in the form of metal mesh.

3. A feeder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the trough comprises two symmetrical portions.

4. A feeder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bottom plate is adapted to carry wheels providing for movement of the feeder after assembly.

5. A feeder as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating a lid for pivotal support on the end plates to provide covering for the trough.

6. An animal feeder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.