CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2018/01614 filed on 9 March 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a feeder, in particular to a feeder for providing hay-like feed to animals such as horses, cattle and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Hay feeders (or racks) are used for feeding animals such as horses, cattle and the like. Hay feeders are typically supported at a height which facilitates convenient access for the animal that it is intended to feed.

The feeders may be in form of wooden or metal structures and typically define a basket into which hay (or a hay-like feed) may be inserted. The baskets may be defined by rigid metal or wooden bars which are spaced apart to a sufficient degree so as to permit access to the feed by the animal.

A problem encountered with feeders such as these is that the animals can get parts of their body stuck in between bars of the basket. Naturally, this can cause the animals to panic and can result in serious injury to the animal (as well as to property in the vicinity of the animal).

There is accordingly scope for improvement.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A feeder comprising a frame and a plurality of longitudinal retaining members, wherein the frame and retaining members define a feed zone for receiving hay-like feed, wherein the retaining members are arranged relative to the frame so as to define a barrier configured operatively to retain hay-like feed in the feed zone, and wherein each retaining member includes biasing means such that the retaining members are resiliency moveable relative to each other in a lateral direction from a rest condition.

Further features provide for the biasing means of each retaining member to be provided by a resilient portion which operatively biases the retaining member to the rest condition and for each retaining member to be pivotally fastened relative to the frame to facilitate lateral movement of the retaining member away from the rest condition.

Yet further features provide for each retaining member to include a resilient portion located at one end thereof; for each retaining member to include a resilient portion located at each end thereof; and for each retaining member to include a flexible portion adjacent the or each resilient portion.

Still further feature provide for the resilient portion to be provided by a spring; for the flexible portion to be provided by a chain; for the spring to include hooks on either end thereof; for the hooks to cooperate with fastening formations of the frame to fasten opposite ends of the retaining member to the frame.

Even further features provide for the frame to be a free-standing frame including spaced apart support structures providing feet and supporting cross-members, for the cross-members to extend between the support structures generally parallel to one another, for the cross members to include the fastening formations configured for fastening the retaining members thereto, and for the fastening formations to be evenly spaced apart along the length of the cross-members.

Further features provide for the frame to include three cross members which extend between the support structures generally parallel to one another and in a V-shaped arrangement in sectional view, for the fastening formations on two of the cross-members, being terminal cross-members, to be in the form of minor eyelets, each of which is configured to receive a fastener of a retraining member; and for the fastening formations of the remaining cross-member, being an intermediate cross-member, to be in the form of major eyelets through each of which a retaining member can be threaded; and for the hook and eyelet arrangement to provide the pivotal fastening of the retaining members to the frame. Yet further features provide for the frame to define trough receiving zones, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a trough, for the cross-members to be supported at locations on the frame which are operatively above the trough receiving zones, for the cross-members to be supported at locations on the frame which fall within a footprint defined by the trough receiving zones, and for each trough receiving zone to include attachment formations for attaching a trough to the trough receiving zone.

Even further features provide for the frame to include side panels which are fixed to the support structures, for the side panels to be oriented generally perpendicular to axes of the cross members and to cooperate with the retaining members to define the feed zone.

Further features provide for the feeder to include guides having through-holes through each of which a retaining member may be located, for the guides to be configured to be supported, with the retaining members locating in the through-holes, mid-way between each of the terminal cross members and the intermediate cross-member.

Yet further features provide for the frame to be a mountable frame including spaced apart and generally parallel cross-members which include the fastening formations configured for fastening the retaining members thereto, and for the fastening formations to be evenly spaced apart along the length of the cross-members.

Still further features provide for the frame to include support members extending between the cross-members from ends thereof to define a generally rectangular frame, for a first cross member to include fastening formations in the form of minor eyelets, each of which is configured to receive a fastener of a retraining member; and for a second cross-member to include fastening formations in the form of major eyelets through each of which a retaining member can be threaded.

An even further feature provides for the feeder to include brackets configured for fastening the frame to a support, such as a wall. Alternatively, for the feeder to include two or more hooks to enable mounting the frame to a support, such as a horizontally supported bar of a paddock; and for the frame to include a backplate so as to define a feed zone between the backplate, frame and retaining members.

The invention extends to a kit for assembly of the feeder described above. A further feature provides for the kit to be arranged as a flat-pack kit.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of a feeder according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of the feeder of Figure 1 , with a side panel thereof removed; Figure 3 is the same as Figure 2, but with the side panel included; Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of the feeder of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is the same as Figure 4, but shows the feeder containing hay-like feed; Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of a feeder according to further embodiment; Figure 7 is a side view of the feeder of Figure 6; Figure 8 is front view of the feeder of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a section view of the feeder of Figure 6; and Figure 10 a schematic view including the feeder of Figure 6 showing an animal feeding from the feeder containing hay-like feed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

A feeder having a frame and retaining members which include biasing means is described herein. The frame and retaining members define a feed zone for receiving hay-like feed and the retaining members are arranged relative to the frame so as to define a barrier configured operatively to retain hay-like feed in the feed zone. The biasing means enable resilient movement of each retaining member in a lateral direction from a rest condition. The biasing means may be provided by resilient portions of the retaining members. The retaining members may be pivotally fastened to the frame to facilitate lateral movement of the retaining members relative to each other and away from the rest condition.

Depending on the implementation, each retaining member may include a resilient portion located at one end thereof or at each end thereof. In some implementations, each retaining member may include a flexible portion adjacent the or each resilient portion. In some implementations, each retaining member may include a portion which is both resilient and flexible, and which may constitute almost the whole length of the retaining member (e.g. the retaining member being provided by a bungee strap or the like). In other implementations, the resilient portion may be provided by a spring and the flexible portion may be provided by a chain to provide a spring and chain arrangement.

Other configurations of retaining members with biasing means are anticipated. For example, a rubber block with eyes may be provided to which a cable may be fastened under tension to provide a biased retaining member.

The retaining member with its resilient portion and pivotal fastening to the frame may facilitate lateral movement of the retaining member relative to other retaining members. This lateral movement may make it more difficult for animals feeding from the feeder to get stuck between adjacent retaining members. The retaining members may, for example, be more accommodating of an animal’s movement as it tries to manoeuvre a body part out of the feeder. This may be the case particularly if the animal is in a panicked state and/or is moving violently. A safer feeder may therefore be provided.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a feeder (1 ) according to aspects of this disclosure. The feeder (1 ) may be a free-standing feeder and may include a frame having spaced apart support structures (3) and feet (4). In the illustrated embodiment, the frame includes an elongate, endless steel tube which is bent to define two spaced apart, generally rectangular support structures (3) and feet (4) in the form of portions of the tube which extend between the support structures (3).

Reinforcement members may fixed to the support structures (3), for example extending between mid-sections of lateral portions of the support structures and between a mid-section of an upper portion of the support structure (3) and an elongate member extending between the lateral portions towards the feet (4) of the frame. The support structures (3) support cross-members (5, 6), which extend between the support structures (3) in generally parallel arrangement relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame includes three cross members (5, 6) which extend between the support structures (3) in a V-shaped arrangement in sectional view (e.g. when looking at the frame in sectional view as shown in Figure 2). The cross-members may include two terminal cross members (5) and one intermediate cross member (6). The cross-members (5, 6) include fastening formations (not shown) which may be evenly spaced apart along lengths of each of the cross members (5, 6) to enable securing of the retaining members thereto.

The fastening formations on the terminal cross-members (5) may include minor eyelets, each of which is configured to receive a fastener of a retraining member. In some implementations, the fastening formations of the terminal cross members (6) may include an attachment formation (e.g. in the form of a rod) which locates internally of the cross-member to provide a formation onto which a fastener (e.g. in the form of a hook) may be fastened. In other implementations, each fastening formation may include pairs of eyelets (e.g. a major eyelet and a minor eyelet) for receiving a fastener.

The fastening formations on the intermediate cross-member (6) may include major eyelets through each of which a retaining member can be threaded. In other implementations, the fastening formations of the intermediate cross-member may be the same as or similar to those of the terminal cross-members (5). Other fastening arrangements may also be provided.

The frame may further define trough receiving zones, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a trough (9). The trough receiving zones may be defined by elongate members extending in a plane between portions of the endless steel tube forming the support structure (3) to define a rectangular trough receiving zone. The rectangular trough receiving zone may be partitioned to define a plurality of smaller trough receiving zones. The or each trough receiving zone may include attachment formations for attaching a trough to the trough receiving zone.

The elongate members defining the trough receiving zone or zones may be fastened to the support structures (3) at locations which locate the trough receiving zone or zones operatively below the cross-members (5, 6). Further, the cross-members (5, 6) may be supported at locations on the frame which fall within a footprint defined by the trough receiving zone or zones.

The frame may include side panels (1 1 ) which are fixed to the support structures. The side panels may be oriented generally perpendicular to axes of the cross-members (5, 6) and may cooperate with retaining members to define a feed zone. In addition, square tubing or the like may be provided along one or more edges of the side panels (1 1 ).

The feeder (1 ) includes a plurality of retaining members (13). In the illustrated embodiment, each retaining member includes a resilient portion (15) located at an end thereof and a flexible portion (17) adjacent (and interposed between) each resilient portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient portions are provided by springs. The Applicant has found springs from a garden trampoline to be effective. The springs may provide fasteners on either end thereof, in this case in the form of hooks. The hooks cooperate with the fastening formations of the cross-members (5, 6) to fasten opposite ends of the retaining member (13) to the frame.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks cooperate with the minor eyelets of the terminal cross members (5) to fasten the ends of each retaining member (13) to respective terminal cross members. The flexible portions, being chains, are threaded through the fastening formations of the intermediate cross-member (6). The fastening formations of the respective cross-members (5, 6) may be aligned with each other such that the retaining members (13), when fastened in position, are arranged parallel to one another. Alternatively, the fastening formations on the terminal cross-members (5) may also be slightly offset relative to the fastening formations on the intermediate cross-member (6), thus resulting in the retaining members still to be arranged parallel to one another, but at an angle relative to the vertical. The retaining members and cross members thus form a V-shaped basket which defines a feed zone into which a hay-like feed (18) may be located. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the feeder (1 ) includes 17 retaining members on each side of the V-shaped basket, but the number may be varied as is required.

The hay-like feed (18) may be dropped into the feed zone from above the frame and may be held in the feed zone by the retaining members (13) and side panels (1 1 ). The feed (18) may be accessible to animals through the gaps that are provided between adjacent retaining members (13).

The feeder (1 ) may further include guides (19). The guides (19) may provide a plurality of through- holes through each of which a retaining member (13) may be threaded. The guides (19) may be configured to be supported, with the retaining members (13) locating in the through-holes, mid way between each of the terminal cross-members (5) and the intermediate cross-member (6). The guides (19) may be provided by PVC (or similar) pipes and may act to limit the extent to which the retaining members (13) can move laterally. It will be appreciated the guides (19) may, at least to some extent, prevent an animal from forcing itself between two adjacent retaining members (13) and potentially climb into the feed zone of the feeder (1 ). The resilient portions (15) of the retaining members (13) bias the retaining members (13) into this rest condition, with the retaining members (13) being substantially parallel to one another. However, the resilient portions (15), together with the pivotal fastening provided by the fastening formations and corresponding fasteners, permit lateral (or transverse) displacement of respective retaining members (13) relative to each other in response to a suitably applied force (e.g. in the form of an animal urging its face or part of its head into the basket). Such a force may move or displace the resilient members (13) against the bias of the resilient portions (15) and the retaining members may return to the rest condition when the force abates.

Figures 6 to 10 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a feeder (30) according to aspects of this disclosure. The feeder (30) may include a wall-mounted frame including spaced apart and generally parallel cross-members (33). Each of the cross members (33) may be configured to be fixed to a support, such as the wall of a barn or the like.

The cross-members (33) include fastening formations configured for fastening retaining members thereto. The fastening formations may be evenly spaced apart along the lengths of the respective cross-members (33).

The frame may include support members (35) which extend between the cross-members (33). The support members may extend from ends of the cross-members (33) to define a generally rectangular frame. In some implementations, the frame is made from a steel tube which is joined at its ends and which is bent to define cross-members (33) and support members (35).

A first of the two cross-members (33) may include fastening formations in the form of minor eyelets, each of which is configured to receive a fastener of a retraining member. A second of the two cross-members (33) may include fastening formations in the form of major eyelets through each of which a retaining member can be threaded. Fastening formations of other configurations may be provided in other implementations.

The feeder (30) may include retaining members (36). In this embodiment, each retaining member may include a spring (37) and chain arrangement (38) including a chain having springs connected to either end thereof. The retaining members may be similar to those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5, although in other implementations retaining members of other configurations may be used instead. The chain may be threaded through two adjacent fastening formations of the second cross member and free ends of the springs may be fastened to corresponding, adjacent fastening formations of the first cross-member. The feeder (30) may include brackets (38) configured for fastening the frame to a support, such as a wall or a barn or other building.

Hay-like feed (39) may be held in the feed zone which is defined by the retaining members (36), frame and the support to which the feeder (30) is mounted. The feed (39) may be urged into the feed zone by displacing the retaining members (36) and may be held therein by the bias of the retaining members (36) acting on the feed to urge the feed against the support. Lateral displacement or movement of two adjacent retaining members (41 ) responsive to a force applied by the snout of an animal (43) is illustrated in Figure 10. The feed (39) may be accessible to animals through the gaps that are provided between adjacent retaining members (41 ) and the retaining members may be suitably flexible so as to be able to accommodate the animal to insert its snout or portion of its head to subsequently remove them again without becoming stuck. Lateral movement of the retaining members enabled by the biasing means, as well as the bias imposed on the retaining members to return to the rest condition, may provide a feeder which is safer for use by animals.

In some embodiments the feeder shown in Figures 6 to 10 may be provided with a backplate (not shown), which may be secured to the frame. The backplate may then serve the same purpose as the support structure in that the feed zone is defined by the retaining members (36), frame and the backplate. It will further be appreciated that the backplate may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as wood, metal, plastics wire mesh or the like. In addition, in such an embodiment, hook formations may be provided on the back surface of the backplate so as to enable hanging of the feeder on a horizontally extending bar of a paddock or the like.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a feeder having retaining formations which are moveable from their rest condition against a bias so as to allow for expansion responsive to a suitably applied force, for example, ingress of an animal’s body part into a basket of the feeder. The biasing means of the retaining formations urge the retaining formations back into the rest condition as the force abates. The flexibility and resilience of the retaining formations may provide a safer feeder as compared to existing feeders. The flexibility may allow for easier removal of body parts by animals, while the resilience may better retain feed, in turn reducing waste.

The feeders described above may be made available in kit form for self-assembly. The kit may be arranged as a flat-pack kit for ease of storage and transportation. It should be appreciated that various alterations and modifications may be made to the feeders described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The frames may for example come in various shapes and sizes. It is anticipated that smaller feeders may be provided for smaller animals (e.g. calves, etc.) while larger feeders may be provided for larger animals.

Throughout the specification unless the contents requires otherwise the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as‘comprises’ or‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.