GB2215975A - A feed container - Google Patents

Abstract

A feed container which can be used as a creep feeder for lambs or calves, or as a feeder for sheep or cattle has a housing (2) whose front access opening (12) can be barred by a gate (14). Mounting means (26, 30) are provided which enable the condition and/or position of the gate (14) relative to said access opening to be varied. For example, the gate (14) can be fixed to extend substantially vertically for creep feeding, or can be pivoted for sheep feeding. Additionally, the gate can be mounted in either of these conditions in either an upright or an inverted position, and/or the gate can be arranged either substantially co-extensive with the wall in which the access opening is provided or within the housing. <IMAGE>

Description

A FEED CONTAINER.

The present invention relates to a feed container.

There are a number of feed containers available to farmers for feeding their animals. However, the currently available containers are designed and dimensioned for use by particular animals and a farmer keeping more than one type of animal needs more than one type of feed container.

For example, feed troughs are commonly used for cattle. However, sheep are not large enough to be able to use such troughs. Furthermore, there is the additional disadvantage that the feed in the trough is open to damage from the weather. Similarly, creep feeders through which lambs can walk when feeding are known and are sized to bar access to the ewes. Of course, such creep feeders cannot be used with cattle because they similarly bar access to the calves.

It is an object of this invention to provide a feed container 'which is adaptable for use in a variety of circumstances.

According to the present invention there is provided a feed container comprising a housing having an access opening in at least one wall of the housing, and a gate for barring said access opening, and further comprising means for removably mounting said gate relative to said access opening, said mounting means being arranged to enable the condition and/or' position of the gate relative to said access opening to be varied.

For example, the mounting means can be arranged to allow the gate to be mounted either in a fixed condition for creep feeding, or in a pivoted condition for sheep feeding. Additionally and/or alternatively, the position of the gate relative to the access opening can be varied. For example, the gate may be mounted such that it is substantially co-extensive with the wall in which the access opening is provided, or the gate could be mounted within the housing.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the mounting means can be arranged to enable the gate to be selectively mounted in different orientations. For example, in a simple embodiment, the gate is arranged to be mounted selectively in an upright or an inverted position.

In an embodiment the mounting means comprise two aligned, first pivot pins each engageable in a respective one of a pair of co-operable bores. The pivot pins are mounted on one of the gate and the housing whilst the corresponding bores are provided on the other of the housing and the gate. In the preferred embodiment the first pivot pins are carried by the gate.

The first pivot pins are aligned and are arranged, when received in the pair of bores, to define a pivot axis for the gate.

Preferably, additional pairs of bores for receiving the first pivot pins are provided so that the position of the gate can be varied. To facilitate their engagement in the respective bores, the pivot pins are preferably retractable. In an embodiments the pivot pins are retractable against the force of a spring.

In an embodiment, first and second pairs of aligned pivot pins are provided so that the gate may be mounted not only in a selected one of several positions, as defined by the bores, but may also selectively be provided with either a first pivot axis defined by said first pair of pivot pins, or with a second pivot axis defined by said second pair of pivot pins The gate can be mounted by engagement of a selected pair of pivot pins in a selected pair of bores for pivoting about a defined pivot axis.

However, if required, means may be provided to maintain the gate in a fixed position.

Whilst any suitable fixing means can be provided to maintain the gate in'a fixed position, it is particularly advantageous if the pairs of pivot pins provided are utilised to fix the position of the gate.

Thus, the gate can be fixed in position by engaging both pairs of pivot pins in respective pairs of corresponding bores. Again, and as previously, it is preferred for the pairs of pivot pins to be carried by the gate and for the bores to be suitably provided in the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the gate carries roller means engageable with a track or tracks extending within the housing. For example, a pair of tracks may extend across two opposed walls of the housing along which rollers carried by the gate are moveable to enable movement of the gate through the housing. Preferably, these tracks, which extend substantially parallel to one another, are positioned proximate to the top of the housing such that the gate can be swung up and over so that it does not obstruct the access opening.

Preferably, lifting means are provided for assisting in the up and over movement of said gate.

For example, said lifting means could comprise at least one weight connectible to said gate by way of a cable which is arranged to pass over a pulley.

In a preferred embodiment the housing is defined to have opposed front and back walls interconnected by opposed end walls. At least one access opening is provided in each of the front and back walls and a respective gate is mounted relative to each of the front and back walls to bar the access openings therein. Preferably, each said gate is mounted by mounting means as defined above.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a gate for a feed container, said gate carrying a first pair of aligned pivot pins defining a first pivot axis and a second pair of aligned pivot pins defining a second pivot axis, said first and second pivot axes being spaced and extending substantially parallel with respect to each other.

In an embodiment, said first and second pivot axes extend substantially transversely of the gate proximate to top and bottom transversely extending edges thereof.

Preferably, the or each gate is provided with a number of generally upstanding bars dividing the transverse extent of the gate to define a number of openings. Preferably, means are additionally provided for enabling the transverse extent of each of the openings to be varied.

It would be possible to provide for the upstanding bars of the gate to be movable transversely. However, in a preferred embodiment, a frame member is mounted on the gate for transverse movement relative thereto. This frame member includes one or more generally upstanding bars and the frame member is movable such that the bars of the frame member may either be aligned with the bars of the gate or may, be arranged to extend across the openings defined between' adjacent bars of the gate.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a food container according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a rear elevation of the feed container of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows schematically an end elevation of the container taken in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows an end elevation of the feed container taken in the direction of arrow B of Figure 1, and Figure 5 shows a plan view from above of the base frame of the container.

The feed container shown in the drawings comprises a housing, generally referenced 2, which may be constructed in any suitable manner and from any appropriate materials. The embodiment of the container illustrated has been fabricated from metal box-sections, steel sheeting, and the like.

The housing 2 is substantially rectangular in cross-section and has a substantially horizontally extending floor 4, four upstanding walls and a roof 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the floor 4 comprises a layer of plywood supported on one or more frame members 6.

The two opposed end walls 8 of the housing extend substantially vertically. The end walls 8 are preferably made from metal sheeting supported on metal box-sections as 81. The roof 10 is made from corrugated metal sheeting, indicated at 101, which is preferably supported by appropriate box-sections so that its central area is raised to ensure that rainwater, for example, drains from the roof.

Alternatively, each end wall 8 could increase in height from its back to its front such that the roof 10 is inclined upwardly from back to front.

The spaced front and back walls of the housing each comprise a substantially rectangular frame 9 in which a respective substantially rectangular access opening 12 is defined. Each access opening 12 is arranged to be barred by a respective gate 14.

Preferably, the two gates 14 have a similar construction. Thus, each gate 14 is fabricated to have a transversely extending upper rail 16 spaced from and substantially parallel to two spaced, transversely extending lower rails 18. These two lower rails 18 are connected by way of a panel 20, for example, of plywood or metal sheeting. The upper rail 16 is connected to the upper one of the lower rails 18 by a number of generally upstanding bars 22. In this way the gate is divided transversely to present a number of adjacent, substantially rectangular openings 24. Preferably, the rails 16 and 18 and the bars 22 of the gate are also constituted by metal box-sections.

A pair of pivot pins 26 are carried by the upper rail 16 at its outer ends and extend substantially transversely, outwardly of the gate. These pivot pins 26 extend substantially in alignment to define a transversely extending, upper pivot axis. These pivot pins 26 are arranged to be engaged in appropriate bores provided in the housing 2 to mount the gate on the housing to bar a respective access opening 12. It will be appreciated that where the gate 14 is mounted by engaging its pivot pins 26 in corresponding bores and with its lower part left free, the gate will be pivotable about the transversely extending pivot axis defined by the upper pivot pins 26.

The bottom lower rail 18 of the gate 14 also carries a pair of pivot pins 30. These pivot pins 30 are at the outer ends of the lower rail 18 and extend outwardly and substantially transversely to define a transversely extending, lower pivot axis. Again, these lower pivot pins 30 are engageable within corresponding bores provided in the housing 2. If both the upper and lower pivot pins of the gate are suitably engaged in bores of the housing, the gate will be held in a fixed position.

An end elevation of the container taken on the arrow A is shown schematically in Figure 3. In this view, bores provided on the inner surface of the end wall 8 are shown. Thus, at its front, one of the box-sections 81 is seen to have an inclined slot 31 spaced inwardly of its front. The facing inner surface of the other end wall 8 of the housing 2 is similarly provided with a corresponding slot 31. The two slots 31 are aligned substantially horizontally for receiving the upper pivot pins 26 of the gate such that the gate is pivotable about the transversely extending pivot'axis defined by its upper pivot pins 26.

It will also be seen from Figure 3 that, at its front, one of the box-sections 81 has an upper bore 28. A lower bore 32 which is substantially-vertically aligned with the upper bore 28 is also provided. The facing inner surface of the other end wall 8 of the housing 2 is similarly provided with corresponding upper and lower bores 28, 32. It will be appreciated that the two upper bores 28 in the two end walls 8 will be aligned substantially horizontally for receiving the upper pivot pins 26, whilst the two lower bores 32 in the two end walls 8 will be similarly aligned substantially horizontally for receiving the lower pivot pins 30. If both pairs of pivot pins 26, 30 of the gate 14 are engaged in the respective pairs of bores 28, 32, the gate 14 will be held to extend substantially vertically across the access opening 12 in the front wall of the housing.

In this position, the gate 14 will be co-extensive with the front wall of the housing 2.

To facilitate their engagement in the respective bores or slots, the pivot pins 26 and 30 are mounted on the gate 14 to be retractable against the force of a spring as is indicated in Figure 1. Furthermore, a respective lug (not shown) is provided for each pivot pin 26, 30 and is arranged to engage the respective pin to hold that pin in its fully retracted position.

As can be seen in Figure 1, each pivot pin 26, 30 is formed to have a flange 34 by means of which it can be retracted against the spring force. In the retracted position (not illustrated) each pivot pin 26, 30 does not substantially project outwardly of the gate 14.

It will be' appreciated from the above that the gate 14 can be mounted by engaging its upper pivot pins 26 either in the pair of inclined slots 31 or in the pair of upper bores 28 at the front of the two facing end walls 8. In either case, the gate will be pivotable about the pivot axis defined by the upper pivot pins 26, and the lower pivot pins 30 can be held in their retracted position such that there is no risk that the lower pivot pins 30 will foul the housing during pivoting of the gate 14.

If required, the gate 14 can be mounted in an inverted or upside down position by engagement of its lower pivot pins 30 in the two aligned upper bores 28.

The gate 14 can be fixed in its upside down position, by engaging the upper pivot pins 26 in the pair of lower bores 32.

Depending upon the positions required for the gate 14, additional bores for receipt of the pivot pins 26, 30 may be provided in the housing 2. Thus, it will be seen from Figure 3, that an additional pair of bores 36, 37 are provided in the end wall 8 inwardly of its front. These inner bores 36, 37 are aligned with corresponding inner bores (not shown) in the facing inner surface of the other end wall 8. The upper inner bores 36 may receive either the upper pair of pivot pins 26 or the lower pair of pivot pins 30 of the gate 14 for pivotably mounting the gate 14 within the housing. Alternatively, the gate may be mounted in a fixed position substantially vertically by engagement of its pivot pins in the upper inner bores 36 and in the lower inner bores 37. Of course, the position and orientation of the gate 14 can be chosen in accordance with the circumstances.

The housing 2 is also provided with pairs of bores for mounting a respective gate 14 relative to the access opening 12 in the rear wall of the housing.

In the embodiment illustrated, and as is clearly evident in Figure 3, the inner surfaces of the facing end walls 8 of the housing are provided with substantially horizontally aligned pairs of upper bores 281 and lower bores 321 at the rear of the end walls 8. Furthermore, a pair of horizontally aligned upper inner bores 361 and a pair of horizontally aligned lower inner bores 371 are also provided and are spaced inwardly of the rear of the end walls 8. The gate 14 for the rear access opening 12, is mounted by suitable engagement of its pairs of pivot pins in the bores 281, 321, 361, 371 to selectively take up any required position and orientation, for example, as described above with referen,ce to the gate 14 at the front of the housing.

A respective track 42 is defined to extend across the inner surface of each of the end walls 8. The two tracks 42 extend substantially parallel to one another, and are each positioned near to the top of the corresponding end wall 8. In the embodiment illustrated, each track 42 extends substantially parallel to the upper edge of the respective end wall 8.

The two outer upstanding bars 22 of the front gate 14, at least at their upper ends proximate the upper pivot pins 26, each carry respective roller means (not shown) arranged to be engaged within and to slide along a respective one of the tracks 42. For example, each said roller means is a ball race roller in a box-section housing and arranged to be received within and bolted to the two box-sections forming the outer bars 22. If the gate 14 is positioned at the front of the housing with each of its roller means engaged in a respective track 42, it is possible by lifting the lower rail 18 of the gate and pushing the gate backwardly, in the direction of the arrow C, to cause the gate to be swung up and over to move along the tracks 42 rearwardly of the housing. The fully raised position of the gate, in which the gate does not obstruct its access opening 12 is indicated in Figure 4.This position of the gate 14 enables easy loading of feed'into the housing 2.

hen the gate 14 is mounted in a pivoted, inverted position with its lower pivot pins 30 in the two aligned upper bores 28, the ball race rollers can be removed from the outer bars 22, for example, to prevent fouling.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the upper pivot pins 26 is formed as the axle of a roller, which is mounted on the pivot pin and arranged to engage in and run along a respective track 42.

It is preferred to include in the feed container means for assisting in the lifting of the front gate 14. In this respect, the two box-sections 91 forming the two front, vertically extending edges of the housing 2 are formed to be sufficiently large in cross-sectional area that a respective balance weight 19 is movable vertically therewithin. The two box-sections 91 are also each extended vertically to define support means for a respective pulley 21 around which a cable 23 passes, one end of the cable 23 being fastened to the respective balance weight 19. At its other end, each cable 23 has a hook (not shown), which in the raised position of the balance weight 19 is engaged with a respective projection 25 mounted near the lower end of the respective box-section 91 to project outwardly.It will be appreciated that in the arrangement illustrated, the length of each cable 23 between its hook and the respective pulley 21 is external of the box-section 91.

It will be appreciated that to move the front gate 14 to its fully raised position, its roller means (not shown) must first be engaged within the tracks 42. The hooks of the cables 23 are then engaged with the lower end of the gate as indicated in Figure 3.

Pushing the gate 14 in the direction of the arrow C will then cause the rollers to move rearwardly of the track 42, lifting of the lower end of the gate being achieved by the lowering of the balance weights 19.

If required, the rear gate could also be swung up and over utilising the tracks 42. Again, if this were regularly required, lifting means and/or roller means, for example, as described above, could be provided.

The gate 14 illustrated in Figure 1 is sized to enable feeding by cattle. That is, the rectangular openings 24 are large enough to enable cattle to put their heads through the openings 24, over the panel 20 and the lower rails 18, to feed on the contents of the housing 2. If the gate 14 is mounted upside down, it can be used for creep feeding of calves. Thus, in this position, calves are able to walk through the rectangular openings 24, but the gate 14 denies such access to cows.

The gate 14 as illustrated in Figure 1 is not suitable for the creep feeding of lambs because the ewes would not be barred thereby. Accordingly, and as indicated in Figure 2, an additional frame 44 is movably mounted on the gate 14. This movable frame;44 comprises two substantially parallel, spaced, transversely extending upper and lower rails 46.

These upper and lower rails 46 are connected by a number of generally upstanding bars 48 arranged to divide the frame transversely to present a number of adjacent, substantially rectangular openings 50. Each of the openings 50 is substantially the same in area as each of the openings 24 of the gate 14. The frame 44 is mounted on the inner surface of the gate 14 by four channel members (not shown) welded to the gate 14. Each of the channel members is welded to the gate 14 to define an outwardly open channel (not illustrated) for slidably supporting a respective one of the rails 46. Two of the channel members are utilised to support each rail 46 and are preferably arranged towards the outer ends of the respective rail 46.

It will be appreciated that the frame 44 can be slid transversely relative to the gate 14. By this means, the frame 44 can be positioned such that each of its bars 48 is aligned behind a respective bar 22 of the gate 14. In this position the full width of the rectangular openings 24 are presented as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the frame 44 can be slidably adjusted such that each of its bars 48 substantially transversely bisects each of the openings 24 of the gate 14, as shown in Figure 2. With the frame 44 in this position, the gate can be mounted in its upside down position to allow creep feeding of lambs, access through the gate 14 to ewes being prevented by the bars 22 of the gate and by the bars 48 of the frame 44.

The gate 14 in its upright orientation, with the frame adjusted to divide the openings 24, can be used for the feeding of sheep. Generally, when sheep are to be fed it is preferred that the gate be mounted to be pivotable about the pivot axis defined by the upper pivot pins 26.

The housing 2 illustrated in the drawings is provided with the roof 10. This protects the contents of the housing against rain, snow and the like.

However, if required, the roof can be arranged to be removable, for,example, to enable filling of the feed dontainer.

It is generally required to move the feed container to different locations depending on the use to which it is to be put. Accordingly, in the embodiment illustrated, a pair of wheels 43 are supported by the frame members 6 at one end of the housing. A retractable tow bar 45 is also supported by the frame members 6 to extend from the other end of the housing to enable the container to be towed by a tractor or the like. In the embodiment shown, the tow bar 45 is a square cross-section bar extending through, and slidable with respect to two square frame members 47 carried by said base frame members 6. It will be seen that the tow bar 45 carries two upstanding pegs. 49, 50 which limit the extension of the tow bar by engagement against the frame members 47. In addition the tow bar 45 can be locked in its extended position by engagement of at least the outer peg 50 in a respective hole, indicated at 51 in Figure 1, in a base frame member 6 (omitted in Figure 5).

Similarly, the tow bar 45 can be locked in a retracted position by engagement of at least the outer peg 50 in a further hole 53 indicated in Figure 1.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated also includes a skid 52 carrying the base frame members 6.

This skid 52 will support the container if its wheels 43 sink into the ground, and also enable the container to be moved by way of a forklift truck. Of course, other structures to facilitate the movement of the feed container can be provided.

It will be appreciated that the front and back walls of the housing each have a large rectangular access opening 12 therein which may or may not be closed by a respective gate 14. Even if the gate 14 is in place, each of the front and back walls is open to the elements. Accordingly, and as indicated in Figures 3 and 4 a full size panel 56 may be provided for positioning over one wall of the housing if needed. Appropriate means for removably fixing the panel 56 are provided. In the view of the container shown in Figure 3, the panel 56 is shown covering the rear wall of the container, with the rear gate 14 supported by use of the inner bores 361 and 371 whereby a trough 58 is defined.

The invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment which is illustrated.

However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the invention as described can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A feed container comprising a housing having an access opening in at least one wall of the housing, and a gate for barring said access opening, and further comprising means for removably mounting said gate relative to said access opening, said mounting means being arranged to enable the condition and/or position of the gate relative to said access opening to be varied.

2. A feed container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said mounting means are arranged to allow the gate to be mounted either in a fixed condition for creep feeding, or in a pivoted condition for sheep feeding.

3. A feed container as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the gate relative to the access opening can be varied.

4. A feed container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the gate is selectively positionable to be substantially co-extensive with the wall in which the access opening is provided, and to be mounted within the housing.

5. -A feed container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said mounting means are arranged to enable the gate to be selectively mounted in different orientations.

6. A feed container as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the gate is arranged to be mounted selectively in an upright or an inverted position.

7. A feed container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said mounting means comprise two aligned, first pivot pins each engageable in a respective one of a pair of co-operable bores, said pivot pins being mounted on one of the gate and the housing and the corresponding bores being provided on the other of the housing and the gate.

8. A feed container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the first pivot pins are aligned and are arranged, when received in the pair of bores, to define a pivot axis for the gate.

9. A, feed container as claimed in Claims 7 or 8, wherein additional pairs of bores for receiving the first pivot pins are provided so that the position of the gate can be varied.

10. A feed container as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein said pivot pins are retractable.

11. A feed container as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said pivot pins are retractable against the force of a spring.

12. A feed container as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 11, wherein first and second pairs of aligned pivot pins are provided, each pair of pivot pins being engageable in a selected one of a plurality of pairs of co-operable bores, and wherein the gate is selectively provided with either a first pivot axis defined by said first pair of pivot pins, or with a second pivot axis defined by said second pair of pivot pins.

13. A feed container as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising means for maintaining the gate in a fixed position.

14. A feed container as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said pairs of pivot pins are utilised to fix the position of the gate.

l

15. A feed container as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 14., wherein the or each pair of pivot pins is carried by the gate, and said bores are provided in the housing.

16. A feed container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gate carries roller means engageable with a track or tracks extending within the housing.

17. A feed container as claimed in Claim 16, wherein a pair of tracks extend across two opposed walls of the housing, and the gate carries at least two rollers, each engageable within a respective track and movable along that track to enable movement of the gate through the housing.

18. A feed container as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said tracks extend substantially parallel to one another, and are positioned proximate to the top of the housing such that the gate can be swung up and over so that it does not obstruct the access opening.

19. A feed container as claimed in Claim 18, further comprising lifting means for assisting in the up and over movement of said gate.

20. A feed container as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said lifting means comprises at least one weight connectible to said gate by way of a cable which is arranged to pass over a pulley.

21. A feed container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is defined to have opposed front and back walls interconnected by opposed end walls, at least one access opening is provided in each of the front and back walls, and a respective gate is mounted relative to each of the front and back walls to bar the access openings therein.

22. A gate for a feed container, said gate carrying a first pair of aligned pivot pins defining a first pivot axis and a second pair of aligned pivot pins defining a second pivot axis, said first and second pivot axes being spaced and extending substantially parallel with respect to each other.

23. A gate as claimed in Claim 22, wherein said first and second pivot axes extend substantially transversely of the gate proximate to top and bottom transversely extending edges thereof.

24. A gate as claimed in Claim 22 or 23, comprising a number of generally upstanding bars dividing the transverse extent of the gate to define a number of openings.

25. A gate as claimed in Claim 24, further comprising means for enabling the transverse extent of each of the openings to be varied.

26. A gate as claimed in Claim 25, wherein a frame member is mounted on the gate for transverse movement relative thereto, said frame member comprising one or more generally upstanding bars, and the frame member being movable such that the bars of the frame member may either be aligned with the bars of the gate or may be arranged to extend across the openings defined between adjacent bars of the gate.

27. A gate for a feed container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A feed container as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 21 having a gate as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 28.

29. A feed container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.