AU630682B2 - Feed system - Google Patents

Description

6 82MICHAEL JAES BALCOM MICHAEL JAMES BALCOMBE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 1952 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: "FEED SYSTEM" This invention is described in the following statement:- -1e!B i_ -2- The present invention relates to a feeding system for animals and relates particularly, though not exclusively to a feeding system for a milking shed.

The feeding of cows, whilst in a milking shed, has not changed for decades. The cows are located in respective bails and have a feed trough in front of them from v. whI tVl-y consu:me fodder or grain. To replenish feed, the milking attendant must manually top up each feed trough during the milking. This is a tiresome procedure with the attendant's time better spent on ensuring the smooth operation of the dairy.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated feeding system which requires very little supervision.

According to the present invention there is provided a feed system for :".*animals including a conveyor for transporting feed, a plurality of feeder tubes opening into said conveyor for receiving feed from said conveyor, closure means i. in the form of a pivotal flap on each feeder tube to allow said feeder tubes to be filled with feed and release means coupled to each of said closure means for allowing feed to simultaneously issue from each of said feeder tubes, each feeder tube includes an adjustment member in the form of a pivotal flap for varying the volume of feed contained within said feeder tube, and a plurality of respective adjustment members being linked together to provide simultaneous adjustment of said plurality of respective adjustment members.

Preferably said conveyor is of the moving cleat or scraper type where feed is pushed by cleats running along a trough of said conveyor.

"L C ,r*~4 2a Preferably the feed system is incorporated within a milking shed with the feeder tubes located above the feed troughs of each bail.

These and other objects and aspects of the present invention will be more fully described with reference to the preferred non-limitative r t I- i r -3embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is an overhead view of the feeding system of the invention incorporated within a milking shed; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding system of Fig. 1 along and in the direction of arrows 2-2; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder tubes along and in the direction of arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a feeder tube along and in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Fig. 3; I1Q Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the corner assembly of the feeding system shown encircled by reference 5 in Fig. 1; 0 Fig. 6 is cross-sectional view of the driving system for the conveyor of the feeding system shown encircled by reference 6 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor along and in the direction of arrows 7-7 of Fig. 2; Referring to the drawings there is shown a milking shed 10 having side walls 12, 14; end wall 16; and front wall 18. The milking shed has cattle •entries 20, 22 and a cattle exit 24. The construction of the shed does not form part of the invention and can be of any design. Typically, a milking shed has a pit 26 along which an attendant moves to attend to the cows. The cows are located on either side of pit 26 on platforms 28, 30. Feed troughs 32, 34 are provided along walls 12, 14 from which the cows take grain or fodder.

The invention relates to a feed system 36 that can be used in a milking shed. Although the preferred embodiment will be described with reference to its use in a milking shed it could also be adapted to be used in other situations e.g. feeding of pigs or poultry.

L -4- The feed system 36 includes a conveyor 38 set up as a rectangular endless loop. Feed enters conveyor 38 through an auger 40 connected to a feed bin or silo 42. Conveyor 38 includes a U-shaped trough, the base 44 of which is supported on horizontal supports 46 above feed troughs 32, 34. For structural strength each horizontal support includes a support bracket 48. The conveyor in the preferred embodiment is designed as a moving cleat or scraper conveyor.

or Src4-pec-s A plurality of cleats 150 are located within the U-shaped trough and rest on base oC Scr&peC" r, 44. Each cleat) 50 is attached to a chain 52 coupled to sprockets 54. One sprocket 54 is driven by motor 56 through reduction gearing 58 to provide 1Q• movement of the cleat. Motor 56 and reduction gearing 58 can be fitted to any corner either internally or externally of the corner. The positioning will depend or S Or' Scc-\.pe-S" on each individual installation. The cleats will push feed along the U-shaped trough.

Base 44 has a plurality of apertures 60 through which feed may drop. Surrounding each aperture 60 is a feeder tube 62. Each feeder tube 62 *0 has a closure means 64 in the form of a pivotal flap which prevents feed from exiting the feeder tube. To allow for variations of volume in feeder tube 62, a further pivotal flap 66 is provided. Flap 66 can have its angle varied to control 0 the feed from for example, Y to 3 kilograms. In the preferred embodiment each flap 66 is linked by a conunon rod 68 and controlled by handle 70. Common rod g* S 68 can include a set of adjustment apertures (not shown) for setting the angle of flaps 66 to allow for variations in volume. Similarly, each closure member 64 is linked by a further common rod 72 coupled to a trip release 74. For attendant convenience, each trip closure of closure members 64 or release 74 is tied to a rope 76 which allows simultaneous release of feed from all feeder tubes 62.

In use, trip release 74 is actuated which doses all closure members I i 64 and activates the conveyor 38, preferably through a time delay circuit. The time delay will ensure that all closure members are dosed before delivery of grain. Grain is fed from silo 42 by auger 40 and deposited in conveyor 38.

or scrc\pee-c3 Cleats 50, driven by chain 52, will sweep grain along base 44. Grain will drop down a respective aperture 60 to fill up its feeder tube 62. Once filled, the next feeder tube 62 will be filled. Preferably a level switch (not shown) or similar device is connected to the last feeder tube to cut off power to the conveyor and auger when each feeder tube is full. Simple electrical control means can be incorporated to provide a user friendly control interface for the attendant. A tug 1Qo on rope 76 will release respective closure means 64 on each feeder tube 62 to allow the grain to be dispensed into the feed troughs 32, 34. If required, the electrical control means can cause the feeder tubes to be refilled a predetermined Stime after they have been emptied. The flaps 66 can be adjusted to vary the amount of feed dispensed depending on the hunger and size of the cows.

The invention provides a simple system which can be readily incorporated into existing milking sheds. The attendant has complete control over the timing and amount of feeding.

It is believed that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and S arrangement of the parts and that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the feeding system described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Claims (6)

1. A feed system for animals including a conveyor for transporting feed, a plurality of feeder tubes opening into said conveyor for receiving feed from said conveyor, closure means in the form of a pivotal flap on each feeder tube to allow said feeder tubes to be filled with feed and release means coupled to each of said closure means for allowing feed to simultaneously issue from each of said feeder tubes, each feeder tube includes an adjustment member in the form of a pivotal flap for varying the volume of feed contained within said feeder tube, and a plurality of respective adjustment members being linked together to provide o simultaneous adjustment of said plurality of respective adjustment members.

2. The feed system of claim 1, wherein said conveyor is of the moving cleat or scraper type where feed is pushed by cleats or scrapers running along a trough of said conveyor.

3. The feed system of any one of the preceding claims, further including shut-off means for said conveyor when said feeder tubes are full.

4. The feed system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor is of the endless type.

A milking shed including the feed system of any one of the preceding claims, said feeder tubes being located above feed troughs of each cow bail. -7-

6. A feed system for animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DA TE D this 9th day of September, 1992. MICHAEL JAMES BALCOMBE By his Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE C C C CC SC S S C -?S S S CC SC S C C C S S S