WO2016077485A1

WO2016077485A1 - Poultry feeder

Info

Publication number: WO2016077485A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/060205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soak Kian LOO; Ching Chua TEH; Bak Yan GOH
Original assignee: The Gsi Group Llc
Priority date: 2014-11-12
Filing date: 2015-11-11
Publication date: 2016-05-19

Abstract

A poultry feeder (10) provides adjustment of pan (12) height and quantity of feed delivered allowing use throughout the full animal lifecycle while reducing waste and spoilage. The feeder (10) has a feed pan (12) and a primary grill (26) having a wall (32) with a lower edge (38) configured for engagement with the feed pan (12), the wall (32) defining a plurality of primary grill windows (36). An inner grill (28) is moveably nested within the primary grill (26), the inner grill (28) defining inner grill windows (59) moveable relative to the primary grill windows (36). The feeder (10) has a window adjustor (30) operatively connected to the inner grill (28) to move the inner grill (28) relative to the primary grill (26) to thereby adjust a dimension of the window opening (60). The feeder (10) also has a drop tube assembly (16) operatively engaged with the feed conveyor for communication of feed from the feed conveyor to the feed pan (12).

Description

POULTRY FEEDER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/078588, filed November 12, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

[0002] This disclosure relates to poultry feeders, and more particularly to poultry pan feeders which offer multiple feed levels that can be readily set.

Description of Related Art

[0003] In large poultry raising operations, the birds are typically housed in a long poultry house and are fed by a large number of feeders that are supplied with feed from a bulk feed tank outside of the poultry house where the feed is delivered to the feeders by means of a feed conveyor. The feeders and the conveyor may be raised clear of the floor by means of winch and cable system installed in the roof of the poultry house to allow for cleaning of the floor. With new bedding material installed on the floor, the feeders are lowered to the floor and a new flock of young chicks is introduced into the poultry house. Generally, there are at least two types of feeders now in use. One type of feeder has an adjustable height feed pan, such as the Hi-Lo® feeder available from the Cumberland division of The GSI Group, LLC of Assumption, IL. Adjustable height feed pan feeders are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,31 1 ,839, 5,462,017, 5,718,187 and 7,647,888, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In these last-mentioned feeders the feed pan has a relatively small amount of feed introduced into the feed pan. The initial height of the feed pan is relatively low so that the young chicks can see the feed and can readily access the feed. As the birds consume feed, the conveyor system can be actuated to effectively increase the depth of the feed pans. Because of a lost motion connection between the pan and an adjustable wall of the pan, as the birds grow, the winch and cable system is operated to raise the wall, which, in turn, increases the depth of the pan. The initially shallow depth feed pan allows the young birds to access the feed in the feed pan, and, because only a small amount of feed is initially deposited in the feed pan, the feed will not go stale or be fouled before it is consumed. Then, as the birds grow, the feed pan depth can be increased while allowing the now larger birds to still access the feed and allowing more feed to be deposited in the feed pan without the birds raking feed from the feed pan. These adjustable depth feeders have resulted in reduced waste and spoilage of feed and, thus, in a lower feed consumption.

[0004] The other type of feeder is known as a flood feeder in which a feed pan is flooded with feed. While this allows young birds to access the feed and to have a sufficient quantity of feed, such prior art flood feeders often lead to waste and spoilage of the feed.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a poultry feeder having a feed pan and a primary grill having a wall with a lower edge configured for engagement with the feed pan, the wall defining a plurality of primary grill windows. An inner grill is moveably nested within the primary grill, the inner grill defining inner grill windows moveable relative to the primary grill windows. The primary grill windows and the inner grill windows define widow openings that are adjustable in size. The feeder has a window adjustor operatively connected to the inner grill to move the inner grill relative to the primary grill to thereby adjust a dimension of the window opening. The feeder also has a drop tube assembly operatively engaged with the feed conveyor for communication of feed from the feed conveyor to the feed pan. The primary grill may have an upper surface extending across an upper edge of the wall. A tube extends upwardly from the upper surface, the tube having a mounting arm extending therefrom. The primary grill has a raised arcuate surface defining a plurality of stop points and a feed level knob rotationally mounted on the mounting arm. the feed level knob has a stop at an edge thereof which engages one of the stop points. The stop point has one of a detent and a projections and the stop has the other of a detent and projection. The feed level knob is operatively connected to the drop tube assembly for raising and lowering of the drop tube assembly relative to the feed pan.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The above mentioned and other features of this invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a feeder of the present disclosure;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with ¼ of the feeder cut away to show the relationship of the various components of the feeder;

[0010] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the feeder;

[001 1] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the feeder;

[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bottom pan of the feeder;

[0013] Fig. 6A is a cross-section view of the bottom pan taken along line A-A of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6B is a cross-section view of the bottom pan taken along line B-B of Fig. 5;

[0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a primary grill of the feeder;

[0015] Fig. 8 a top plan view of the primary grill;

[0016] Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the primary grill;

[0017] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of an inner ring of the feeder and Fig. 10B is top plan view of the inner ring;

[0018] Fig. 1 1A is a perspective view of a window adjustor of the feeder, Fig. 1 1 B is an top plan view of the window adjustor and Fig. 1 1 C is bottom plan view of the window adjustor;

[0019] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of the feeder attached to a feed tube and indicating the rotational and vertical movement of the window adjustor and Fig. 12B is an enlarged view of the window adjustor mounted on the primary grill; [0020] Figs. 13A-13C illustrate the vertical movement of the window adjustor and corresponding vertical movement of the inner grill for adjustment of the effective height of window openings in the feeder;

[0021] Figs. 14A-14B illustrate rotational movement of the window adjuster and corresponding horizontal movement of the inner grill for adjustment of the effective width of window openings in the feeder;

[0022] Figs. 15 and 16A are perspective views of an inner drop tube of the feeder and Fig. 16B is a side view of the inner drop tube;

[0023] Fig. 17A is a perspective view of an outer drop tube of the feeder and Fig. 17B is a top plan view of the outer drop tube;

[0024] Fig. 18A is a top plan view of a feed level knob of the feeder, Fig. 18B is a bottom plan view of the feed level knob, and Fig. 18C is a side elevational view of the feed level knob;

[0025] Figs. 19A-19B' illustrate the rotational movement of the feed level knob and the corresponding vertical movement of a drop tube assembly;

[0026] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a top cap of the feeder;

[0027] Figs. 21A-21 B illustrate the vertical movement of the drop tube assembly upon winching of the conveyor system for adjustment of pan flooding;

[0028] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a slide gate of the feeder; and

[0029] Figs. 23A-23E', illustrate the movement of the slide gate for adjustment of a feed supply from the conveyor system to the feeder. [0030] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the claimed invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The claimed invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0032] An illustrative embodiment of a poultry feeder 10 is shown, generally in Figs. 1 -3 and in more depth in the remaining Figures. The poultry feeder 10 includes a feed pan 12, a grill assembly 14, and a drop tube assembly 16. As described below, the poultry feeder 10 is configured for window size adjustment (Figs. 12A-13C), adjustable feed level (Figs. 19A-19B'), adjustable pan flooding (Figs. 21A-21 B), and shut-off capability (Figs. 23A-23E'). Preferably, the main components for feeder 10 are injection molded (or otherwise formed) of a suitable synthetic plastic material, such as a polypropylene resin. Thus, it will be understood that certain parts of the feeder 10 may be resiliently flexible for purposes described hereinafter.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 5-6B, the feed pan 12 is illustratively shown as having a generally elongated octagonal shape with an outer rim 20 which is in the shape of an upside down U and defines a downwardly opening channel 21 . The channel 21 is configured for detachable engagement with a plurality of latches 22 (Fig. 7) on the grill assembly 14. As will be described below, the latches 22 preferably snap lock to the outer rim 20 for securement of the feed pan 12 in its operating position, as shown in Fig. 1 . The latches 22 may also be unlatched so that the feed pan 12 may be removed or separated from the grill assembly, for example, for cleaning purposes. The feed pan further includes a raised delivery surface 24, shown as a cone or pyramid, which extends upwardly from the center of the feed pan 12. The delivery surface 24 is configured to direct feed towards the outer portion of the feed pan via gravity. Thus, the lower perimeter of the delivery surface 24 corresponds generally to the shape of the pan 12. Therefore, in the embodiment of Figs. 5-6B, the lower perimeter of the delivery surface is generally an elongated octagonal shape. The height of the apex of the delivery surface 24 preferably extends above the height of the outer rim 20 forming an angled surface of about 45°-60°. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable configuration of the delivery surface can be used.

The Grill Assembly and Grill Window Size Adjustment

[0034] The grill assembly 14 includes a primary grill 26, a flexible inner grill 28 nested within the primary grill 26, and a pair of window adjustors 30 operatively connected to the inner grill 28 through the primary grill 26 for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the inner grill 28 relative to the primary grill 26 (Figs. 7-1 OB). As seen, the window adjustors 30 are formed as knobs.

[0035] The primary grill 26 comprises a generally elongated octagonal shaped wall 32 with an upper surface 34 extending across an upper rim of the wall 32. (Figs. 7-9). The wall 32 defines a plurality of primary grill windows 36 evenly spaced about the wall 32. A lower edge or rim 38 of the wall 32 generally corresponds to the configuration of the outer rim 20 of the feed pan 12 for engagement. As best seen in Fig. 2, the rim 38 has an inner surface which corresponds generally to the shape of the outer surface of the feed pan rim 20. The primary grill 26 thus rests on the pan rim 20. The latches 22 extend downwardly from the lower edge 38. Each latch is substantially shorter than the side of the grill rim 38 from which it extends. As best seen in Fig. 2, the latches 22 have a finger 22a which extends under the U-shaped channel 21 of the pan rim 20. Thus, the pan rim 20 becomes sandwiched between the inner surface of the grill rim 38 and the finger 22a of the latch 22 to secure the primary grill to the pan 12. The latches are preferably flexible to facilitate separation of the pan from the grill when desired.

[0036] The upper surface 34 of the primary grill 26 defines a plurality of slots or vents 40 which extend inwardly from the outer edge of the upper surface 34. The upper surface 34 also defines a pair of partially recessed holes 42 configured to receive respective window adjustors 30. Each hole 42 is surrounded by a wall 43 which includes three rows of detents 44 configured for engagement with the respective window adjustor 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the rows of detents 44 define channels 45 therebetween. However, any configuration of detents 44 can be used. [0037] A tube 46 (illustratively shown as a generally rectangular tube) extends upwardly from the center of the upper surface 34. The tube 46 is hollow and defines a passage or channel 48 therethrough (Fig. 7) which opens through the upper surface 34 of the primary grill 26. A sidewall of the tube 46 defines a slot 50. A generally cylindrical mounting arm 52 extends outwardly from the sidewall of the tube 46. The end of the arm 52 comprises an enlarged diameter collar 53. A feed level knob 58 is mounted on the arm 52 to rotate about the arm. The collar 53 prevents the knob 58 from coming off the arm. A raised arcuate surface 54 defining a plurality of detents 56 is positioned on the sidewall spaced somewhat from the arm 52, with the bottom of the surface 54 being generally adjacent the slot 50. As seen in Fig. 26, the proximity of the mounting arm 52 to the surface 54 allows for the feed level knob 58 to engage the detents 56 for adjustment of the feed level, as described below. The surface 54 may be provided with indicia to indicate feed depth.

[0038] The inner grill 28 is shaped and sized to nest within the primary grill 26, and is thus illustratively shown as a generally elongated octagonal shaped ring. The inner grill 28 defines a plurality of inner grill windows 59 (Figs. 10A, 10B), positioned to generally align with the primary grill windows 36 in the primary grill 26 when nested within the primary grill 26. The windows 59 of the inner grill 28 and the windows 36 of the primary grill 26, in conjunction, define a window 60 (Fig. 12) that is variable both in height and in width. A pair of tabs 62 extends generally inwardly from an upper portion of the inner grill 28 and defines elongate slots 64 configured for engagement with the window adjustors 30. [0039] Each window adjustor 30 (Figs. 1 1A-1 1 C) is configured to be received in the primary grill 26 to extend through the holes 42 in the primary grill upper surface 36 to engage the inner grill 28 for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the window opening 60 dimensions (Figs. 12A-13C). Each window adjustor 30 has a generally cylindrical body 31 having a head 33 at the top of the body 31 . The body 31 has a diameter greater than the hole 42, and preferably slightly less than the diameter defined by the wall 43 which surrounds, in part, the hole 42 in the primary grill upper surface 34. A tab 70 extends outwardly from the edge 33a of the adjustor head 33. The tab 70 is sized in length and top-to-bottom height such that the tab can be received in and slide in the channels 45 in the wall 43 surrounding the hole 42. An arched-shaped handle 65 extends upwardly from the top surface of the head 33 to facilitate rotation of the adjuster 30. A tooth 66 extends generally outwardly from the upper surface of the head 33 for engagement with the detents 44 of the primary grill 26. As seen, the tooth 66 is above the side edge of the head 33, such that when the side edge of the head 33 is received in the channel 45 of the wall surrounding the hole 42 in the primary grill upper surface, the tooth 66 will be vertically aligned with the detents 44 in the wall 43. If desired, the detents 44 could be formed in the channels 45, and then the tooth 66 would extend from the edge of the head to be coplanar with the head 33.

[0040] A lower leg 68 extends generally downwardly for the bottom of the body 31 a distance sufficient to allow for the leg to engage the slots 64 of the inner grill 28. The leg 68 is off center relative to the body 31 to move in an arc as the knob is rotated. The lower leg 68 is shown to be cylindrical and to have an outwardly directed lip 69 of the bottom edge. The leg cylinder has a diameter which allows it to move in the slot 64 of the inner grill 28. However, the lip 69 defines a diameter greater than the width of the inner grill slot 64 to prevent the leg from disengaging the slot 69. A slot 67 extends from the bottom edge of the leg 68 to allow the leg 68 to be snapped into the inner slot 67.

[0041] When the window adjustor 30 is rotated, the lower leg 68 moves in an arc, and the arcuate movement of the leg 68 moves the inner grill 28 horizontally relative to the primary grill. As the inner grill 28 moves, the inner grill windows 59 move generally horizontally relative to the primary grill windows 36, effectively increasing and decreasing the width of the window opening 60, as shown illustratively in Figs. 14A-14B. The engagement of the adjustor tooth 66 with the detents 44 in the primary grill wall 43 maintains the inner grill in a desired position relative to the primary grill.

[0042] As noted above the height of the window opening 60 can also be altered. To alter the window height, an operator rotates the window adjustor 30 to a position in which the tab 70 is disengaged from selected channel 45 it currently is in. The operator can then raise or lower the window adjustor 30 and engage the tab 70 in a selected different channel 45. Because of the interconnection between the leg 68 and the inner grill tab as shown in Figs. 13A-13C, the vertical movement of the window adjustors 30 raise or lowers the inner grill 28, effectively increasing and decreasing the height of the window opening 60.

The Drop Tube Assembly

[0043] The drop tube assembly 16 includes an outer drop tube 82 (Figs. 17A-17B), an inner drop tube 84 (Figs. 15-16B) nested within the outer drop tube 82, a feed level knob 58 (Figs. 18A-18C) operable to adjust the vertical position of the inner drop tube relative to the outer drop tube 82 and the feeder pan 12, and a top cap 86 (Fig. 20) which detachably connects the inner drop tube 84 to the feed conveyor tube 85 (Figs. 15-17B).

[0044] The outer drop tube 82 comprises a drop tube body 83 which is shaped correspondingly to the tube 46 extending up from the top surface of the primary grill to be slidably received in the primary grill tube. The outer drop tube body 83 is thus illustratively shown to have a generally rectangular cross-section. Ribs or guides 88 extend outwardly from the sides of the tube body 83. These ribs or guides are generally vertically extending rib/guides and are sized to be received in corresponding channels formed in the inner surface of the primary grill tube 46. Alternatively, the channel could be formed in the outer surface of the outer drop tube, and the ribs could be formed in the inner surface of the primary grill tube. The ribs 88 slide in the channels 87 to help maintain the orientation of the outer drop tube in the primary grill tube. Although three ribs are shown, the outer drop tube could be provided with just two oppositely directed ribs, or even just a single rib. As seen, the three ribs 88 are formed on three of the sides of the outer drop tube. A pin 89 extends from the fourth wall of the drop tube. The pin 89 is sized and positioned to extend through the vertical slot 50 in the primary grill tube 46.

[0045] The lower end of the outer drop tube 82 includes skirt 90 which extends outwardly from the bottom of the drop tube body 83 at an angle of about 45°-60° (Figs. 17A-17B). The outer skirt 90 terminates in a bottom edge which generally corresponds in shape to the delivery surface. Thus the skirt 90 and its bottom edge generally define an elongate octagon, as seen for example, in Fig. 17B. [0046] The outer drop tube 82 defines a channel 82a, and the inner drop 84 tube includes a body 83 sized and shaped to be received in the outer drop tube 82. As such, the inner drop tube is generally rectangular in cross-section. The shape of the grill assembly and the drop tube assembly is designed to prevent rotation of the grill assembly relative to the drop tube assembly. Although the primary grill tube 46, the outer drop tube body 83 and the inner drop tube 84 are all illustratively shown to be rectangular, they could be any desired shape which will still prevent rotation of the grill assembly around the drop tube assembly. However, the three tubes need to be sized and shapes such that the inner drop tube can be received in the outer drop tube, and that the outer drop tube can be received in the primary grill tube.

[0047] A skirt 96 is connected to the inner drop tube body 84a, and spaced from the bottom of the drop tube 84, by spacers 98. The skirt 96 defines an angle to the vertical of about 45°-60°. The spacers 98 include a generally vertical portion and an angled portion, such that the top edge of the skirt 96 defines a perimeter that is greater in area than the bottom of the inner drop tube 84. The spacers each include a hole 99 which is positioned at the junction of the vertical and angled portions of the spacer. The hole 99 engages a projection on the inner surface of the outer drop tube body to fixedly connect the inner drop tube to the outer drop tube. As seen, the spacers 98 form a gap 100 between the skirt 96 from the bottom of the inner drop tube 84 (Figs. 15-16B). The gap 100 is sized to receive the outer drop tube skirt 90. As seen, for example, in Figs. 19A- 19B', when the inner drop tube is assembled to the outer drop tube, the skirts 90 and 96 for a continuous skirt. Thus, the upper edge of the inner drop tube skirt is adjacent the bottom edge of the outer drop tube skirt, and the surfaces of the tow skirts are substantially co-planer. The two skirts, as noted, define a single skirt which corresponds in shape to the delivery surface 24 of the feed pan 12. Thus, the combined skirt defines an angle, for example of about 45°-60°.

[0048] A plurality of fins 104 are preferably equally angularly spaced around the inner drop tube skirt 96 at the bottom of the skirt. These fins 104, as seen in Fig. 2, effectively divide the feed pan 12 into individual feeding areas, and thus facilitate controlling the position of feed in the feed pan. The fins also serve the purpose of preventing racking or scratching of the feed by the birds when the feeder is in use.

[0049] The feed level knob 58 is rotatably mounted on the primary grill tube 46 to engage the pin 89 from the outer drop tube 82 to selectively raise and lower the inner and outer drop tubes relative to the pan for pan flooding adjustment (Figs. 19A-19B'). The knob 58 is generally shaped liked a pair of partially overlapping ovals, comprising a first portion 1 10 and a second portion 1 12. The ovals are offset from each other, such that a line which is generally tangential to an end of the portion 1 10 and which is generally perpendicular to a line extending through the junction of the two ovals is spaced from the edge of the portion 1 10. The knob 58 defines an opening 1 14 at the center of the first portion 1 10 and an arcuate slot 1 16 generally along an outer portion of the second portion 1 12. The knob 58 is rotatably mounted to the arm 52 of the primary grill tube 46. This can be accomplished by aligning the opening 1 14 of the knob 58 with the arm and pressing the knob onto the arm. The connection of the knob to the arm is a snap fit connection, and the collar 53 will secure the knob 58 onto the arm 52. When the knob 58 is mounted to the primary grill tube arm 52, the pin 89 of the upper drop tube will extend through the slot 1 16 of the knob. A tooth 1 18 extends from the outer surface of the second portion 1 12 of the knob 58 and is positioned generally adjacent to an upper end of the slot 1 16. When the knob 58 is engaged with the grill tab 62, the tooth 1 18 is positioned for selective engagement with the detents 56 of the arcuate surface 54. Thus, the distance from the center of the opening 1 14 to the edge of the knob adjacent the tooth defines a distance R which is generally equal to a radius defined by the arc of the surface 54, such that the tooth will ride along, and be received in, selective detents of the surface 54. The operator can rotate the knob 58 clockwise and counterclockwise to engage the tooth 1 18 with a selected one of the plurality of detents 56 and correspondingly raising and lowering the inner drop tube 84 and outer drop tube 82. As the knob 58 rotates counterclockwise to engage with one of the detents 56, the slot 1 16 moves vertically causing the pin 89 of the outer drop tube 82 within the slot 50 to move vertically downwardly, thereby lowering the drop tubes 82, 84 and decreasing the gap 120 between the inner skirt 96 and the delivery surface 24, to thereby decrease the amount of feed that will be delivered to the pan 12 with feed (Figs. 19A and 19A'). As the knob 58 rotates clockwise, the movement of the slot 1 16 raises the pin 89 of the outer drop tube 82 within the slot 50, thereby raising the drop tubes 82, 84 and increasing the gap 120 between the inner skirt 96 and the delivery surface, thereby increasing the amount of feed that can be delivered to the pan 12 (Figs. 19B and 19B'). Although, the embodiment of Figs. 19A-19B' indicates 5 detent positions, any number of detent positions can be used. The knob can be provided with a grip 1 17 to facilitate rotation of the knob 58 about the arm 52, and thus the raising and lowering of the drop tubes.

The Top Cap and Removability of the Drop Tube from the Feed Tube [0050] The top cap 86 and the inner drop tube in conjunction removably connect the feeder 10 to the feed tube 85. The inner drop tube has an upper portion 1 19 which defines a pair of opposed end surfaces defining concave semi-circular edges 121 . The opposed walls 123 adjacent the semi-circular edges 121 each define an opening 125, which is shown to be generally circular with a generally rectangular slot 127 on either side of the opening 125.

[0051] The top cap 86 is generally cone-shaped with opposed concave semi-circular bottom edges 122, configured for seating of the cap on the conveyor tube 85 of the conveyor system. The concave edges 122 of the top cap, and the concave edge 121 of the inner drop tube, in combination, define a circle sized to receive the feed conveyor tube 85. Flexible cap tabs 124 extend generally downwardly for detachable engagement with the inner drop tube 84 of the drop tube assembly 16. The tabs 124 each have a projection 126 which engages the hole 125 of the inner drop tube 84 and a pair of ramped surfaces 129, which are generally rectangular in plan view, and which are positioned on opposite sides of the projection 126. The ramped surfaces have a final depth that is greater that the depth of the projection 126. Thus, when the cap 86 is applied to the inner drop tube, the ramped surfaces will engage the inner surface of the inner drop tube walls 123. This will cause the cap tabs 124 to flex inwardly. When the ramped surfaces 129 are aligned with the holes 127, the tab 124 will snap back to a normal position, and the projection 126 will engage the hole 125 in the inner drop tube wall 123. As can be appreciated, in this position, the cap and inner drop tube surfaces, as noted, will define a hole through which the feed tube 85 extends to suspend the feeder 10 from the feed tube 85. The feed tube 85 includes an opening 85a (Fig. 2) which opens from the feed tube 85 into the feeder drop tubes to drop feed from the feed system into the feeder. To remove the feeder from the feed tube 85, the projections 126 are pressed inwardly to disengage the projections 126 and the ramped surfaces 129 from their respective holes 125 and 127 in the inner tube wall 123. When the projections 126 and ramped surfaces 129 are disengaged from their respective holes, the feeder can be pulled downwardly relative to the top cap to separate the feeder from the top cap, and to thus remove the feeder from the feed conveyor tube 85.

[0052] When the feeder 10 is secured to the conveyor feed tube 85, the feeder can be raised and lowered relative to the floor of the poultry house. In addition, as seen in Figs. 21A-21 B, by operation of the feed level adjustment knob, the drop tubes can be raised relative to the feeder pan when the feeder is on the floor, and the drop tubes can be lowered relative to the feeder pan when the feeder is raised off the floor. Thus, the feeder can be provided with more feed for chicks, so that the chicks can more easily see and access the feed. However, as the chicks mature and grow, the level of feed in the feed pan can be reduced (by lowering the drop tubes relative to the pan), and at the same time, the feeders can be raised off the floor.

Adjustment of Feed Tube Opening

[0053] The inner drop tube 84 includes a semi-circular surface 138 which extends between the end surfaces defining the edges 121 , and which surrounds a bottom portion of the feed tube 85. A feed opening 140 is formed in this surface which opens into the drop tube. When the feeder is mounted to the feed tube 85, the feed opening 140 is aligned with the opening 85a in the feed tube to place the feed tube in communication with the feeder. The feed opening is generally "house-shaped," in that it has a rectangular portion and a triangular portion. This surface 140 can be formed as an insert which is received in the circular opening defined by the upper portion of the inner drop tube and the cap 86.

[0054] The inner drop tube includes opposed arcuate slots 142 in the walls just below the surface 138 and a plurality of dimples 145 are formed in the wall below the slot 142. A slide gate 143 is received in the inner drop tube upper portion and extends between the opposed slots. The slide gate has a length greater than the width or diameter of the upper portion of the inner drop tube. Thus, when positioned in the drop tube, the slide gate will extend beyond the opposite sides of the drop tube. The slide gate is arcuate, defining an arc less than the arc defined by the slot 142, as seen in Figs. 23A-E'. Thus, the slide gate 143 can move relative to the opening 140 in the surface 138 between different positions so that the opening 140 can be fully blocked, partially opened, or fully opened so as to have a high, medium and low feed supply of feed from the conveyor tube into the drop tube assembly 16 (Figs. 22-23E').

[0055] The slide gate 143 includes a rectangular handle 144 extending from the bottom surface of the slide gate at one end of the slide gate. The handle facilitates grasping of the slide gate to move the slide gate along the path defined by the slots 142. The handle has an opening formed therein to further facilitate grasping of the handle. A stop 148 is formed on the bottom surface of the slide gate at an end opposite the handle 144. The distance between the stop 148 and the handle 144 is slightly greater than the diameter of the drop tube at the slots 142. Thus, the stop 148 and handle 144 in combination fix the axial position on the slide gate relative to the drop tube to prevent the slide gate from sliding out of the drop tube. In addition, the slide gate includes a positioning tab 146 extending from the bottom of the slide gate and generally adjacent to the handle 144. The positioning tab 146 is shown to be generally L-shaped, and includes a finger or projection which is sized and shaped to engage the dimples 145 of the drop tube below the slot 142. The engagement of the positioning tab with the dimples will retain the slide gate in a desired position. Alternatively, the locking tab or projection could be formed on the handle 144. In another alternative, the drop tube could be provided with a plurality of projections which engage a dimple on the slide gate (for example, on a positioning tab or on the handle).

[0056] It will be appreciated that in some operating circumstances, it may be desirable for an operator to be able to partially or completely block the flow of feed to selected feeders. Thus, slide gate 143 provides an easy way for such feeders to be deactivated without having to remove the feeder from the feed conveyor system. While the opening 140 is shown in Figs. 23A'-23E' to be generally house-shaped, other shapes can be used. For example, the opening could be circular.

[0057] In operation, feed is delivered from a feed source, typically a bulk feed tank (not shown) located outside the poultry house (also not shown). The conveyor tube 85 extends a relatively long distance within the poultry house and has a plurality of feeders 10 suspended from the conveyor tube 85 at spaced intervals therealong. The conveyor tube is typically suspended from the ceiling or roof of a poultry house by means of a well-known winch and cable assembly (not shown) that that may be selectively operated to raise or lower the conveyor tube and all of the feeders connected thereto. In operation, the winch and cable assembly is adjusted so that the feed pans 12 of the feeders rest on the floor of the poultry house. The winch may be operated to begin to lift the feeders 10 from the floor (as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter) and may be operated to lift all of the feeders well above the floor to allow for the ready cleanout of the poultry house and the addition of new bedding material for a new flock. Once the new bedding is in place, the winch system is operated to lower the feeders onto the bedding. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that some poultry houses have a slatted floor that does not require the use of bedding material, in which case the feeders 10 of the present disclosure will rest directly on the slatted floor.

[0058] Periodically, at either the discretion of an operator or at pre-programmed times; the feed conveyor system may be actuated to deliver additional amounts of fresh feed to each of the feeders. As feed flows from the bottom of the drop tube assembly 16 through the and on to the upper face of the delivery surface 24, a pile of feed will build up around the delivery surface 24 until the feed reaches a certain depth in the feed pan, as defined by the positioning of the delivery tube skirt relative to the delivery surface 24. When the pile of feed blocks the flow of feed from the lower end of space, the further flow of feed from the bottom of the space is blocked and no additional amount of feed will flow through the drop tube and into the feed pan.

[0059] Initially, feeder can be operated with the drop tube assembly in a raised position (to increase the depth of feed in the feed pan), and the windows 60 at their maximum height and width. This will allow easier access by young chicks to the feed in the feed pan. As the chicks age and mature into chickens, the effective size of the windows 60 can be reduced using the window adjuster 30 to decrease the width and/or the height of the windows 60. As described above, rotation of the window adjuster 30 moves the inner cage horizontally relative to the primary cage to change the width of the windows, and moving the window adjuster 30 vertically, changes the height of the inner cage relative to the primary cage to change the height of the windows 60. Additionally, using the adjusting knob 58, the positioning of the skirt relative to the pan can be altered, to alter the depth of feed that can be delivered to the pan. As discussed above, as the chicks mature into chickens, it may be desirable to decrease the level of feed in the feeder, and thus reduce the relative distance between the drop tube skirt and the pan.

[0060] Although the feeder of the present disclosure is intended for use in raising broiler chickens, those skilled in the art will recognize that the feeder may be used with all types of poultry, including other livestock, such as ducks and turkeys.

[0061] Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Although the feed pan and cages are described as being generally elongate octagons, as long as the inner cage can move horizontally or circumferentially relative to the primary cage, the feed pan and cages could be formed to be generally circular, or in other desired shapes. Further, although the delivery surface and the skirts define octagonal pyramids, they could define cones, or other polygonal pyramids (i.e., triangular, square, etc. pyramids). It is, however, desirable that the delivery surface defines a cone or pyramid which corresponds in shape to the shape of the pan to facilitate even delivery of feed to the edges of the pan. These examples are merely illustrative.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is:

1 . A poultry feeder, comprising:

a feed pan;

a primary grill having a wall with a lower edge configured for engagement with the feed pan, the wall defining a plurality of primary grill windows;

an inner grill moveably nested within the primary grill, the inner grill defining inner grill windows moveable relative to the primary grill windows; the primary grill windows and the inner grill windows defining widow openings that are adjustable in size;

a window adjustor operatively connected to the inner grill to move the inner grill relative to the primary grill to thereby adjust a dimension of the window opening; and

a drop tube assembly operatively engaged with the feed conveyor for communication of feed from the feed conveyor to the feed pan.

2. The poultry feeder of claim 1 , the primary grill further comprising:

an upper surface extending across an upper edge of the wall; a tube extending upwardly from the upper surface, the tube having a mounting arm extending therefrom;

a raised arcuate surface defining a plurality of stop points; and a feed level knob rotationally mounted on the mounting arm, the feed level knob having a stop at an edge thereof which engages one of the stop points; the stop point comprising one of a detent and a projections and the stop comprising the other of a detent and projection; the feed level knob being operatively connected to the drop tube assembly for raising and lowering of the drop tube assembly relative to the feed pan.

3. The poultry feeder of claim 2, wherein the feed level knob rotates about an axis of rotation and comprises an arcuate slot spaced from said axis of rotation; and wherein said feed tube comprises a finger which extends through an elongate slot in said tube of said primary grill; said finger of said feed tube being received in said arcuate slot of said feed level knob, whereby, rotation of said feed level knob causes said finger, and hence said feed tube, to move vertically.

4. The poultry feeder of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of said primary grill defines a hole and wherein the inner grill comprises a tab defining a slot; wherein the window adjustor further comprises:

a generally cylindrical body having a head with a diameter greater than said body; said body extending through the hole of the primary grill upper surface; said head having a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole of the primary grill; said body being rotatable in said hole about an axis of rotation; said body further including a finger extending from an end of said body and offset from said axis of rotation; said finger engaging said slot of said tab of said inner grill; whereby, rotation of said window adjuster causes said inner grill to move horizontally relative to said primary grill, such that rotation of said window adjustor alters the effective width of said window openings.

5. The poultry feeder of claim 4 wherein said inner grill is made from a material that is flexible.

6. The poultry feeder of claim 4 wherein said primary grill comprises a wall which at least partially surrounds said hole; said wall including a stop on said wall; and wherein said window adjuster includes an element which engages said stop to maintain said window adjuster and a desired rotational position to thereby maintain said inner grill at a desired horizontal position relative to said primary grill.

7. The poultry feeder of claim 6 wherein said stop comprises at least one of a detent and a projection on said wall and wherein said element on said adjuster which engages said stop comprises the other of a detent and a projection.

8. The poultry feeder of claim 7 wherein said stop comprises a plurality of detents on said wall; and wherein said element comprises a tooth extending from an edge of said adjuster.

9. The poultry feeder of claim 6 wherein said wall surrounding said hole at least in part comprises a plurality of generally parallel horizontal channels; each channel having an associated stop; said adjuster having a tab extending from an edge thereof which is slidably received in a selected one of said channels; whereby the vertical position of said knob is alterably by selectively guiding said tab into a selected channel; whereby altering of the vertical position of said window adjuster adjusts the vertical positon of said inner grill relative to said outer grill to alter the height of said window opening.

10. The poultry feeder of claim 1 , the drop tube assembly comprising:

an inner drop tube having an tube body, an upper portion at a top of said tube body, and an generally outwardly extending inner skirt below said tube body and connected to the upper tube by spacers such that there is a gap between the bottom of said tube body and an upper edge of said skirt; said tube upper portion comprising first opposed walls each of which define an edge adapted to receive a lower surface of a conveyor tube when said feeder is mounted to the conveyor tube and second opposed walls extending between said first opposed walls; and an outer drop tube having a channel configured for receipt of the inner drop tube, and having a generally outwardly extending outer skirt terminating in a bottom edge configured to mate with the upper edge of the inner drop tube skirt.

1 1 . The poultry feeder of claim 10, wherein the inner drop tube upper portion comprises a curved surface positioned to be adjacent a feed conveyor tube when said feeder is suspended from a feed conveyor tube; said curved surface defining an opening in communication with said drop tube body; said drop tube upper portion further defining opposed arcuate slots below said curved surface; said feeder further comprising a slide gate extending between and moveably positioned within the arcuate slots; whereby movement of said slide gate adjusts the size of the opening in the curved surface to modulate the flow of feed through the drop tube assembly.

12. The poultry feeder of claim 10, further comprising a top cap having first opposed sides defining an edge adapted to receive an upper surface of the conveyor tube when said feeder is mounted to the conveyor tube and second opposed sides defining flexible tabs, and wherein said flexible tabs of said cap and said second opposed walls of said inner tube upper portion are configured such that said cap tabs can releasably engaging said second opposed wall of said inner drop tube extending between said first opposed walls semi-circular bottom surface for engagement with the drop tube assembly to define a bore configured to receive the feed conveyor.