Indexed animal feeder

摘要

An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

主权项

1. An animal feeder comprising:
a hopper defined by a bottom surface, opposed end walls, and opposed hopper walls; at least one trough defined by a bottom surface, opposed end walls, a trough wall, and a portion of at least one hopper wall; said trough being in communication with said hopper via an opening defined, at least in part, by said hopper wall; a gate extending the length of the opening; said gate being movable to adjust the effective height of the opening; and at least one adjustment mechanism mounted to said hopper wall; said adjustment mechanism comprising: a control cam rotatably mounted to said one of said hopper walls; said control cam being rotatable about a pivot axis; said control cam comprising two or more position adjusting openings or notches spaced from the pivot axis for said control cam; a link extending between and connecting said control cam to said gate; said link being connected to said control cam at a first connection point on said control cam spaced from said pivot point of said control cam, such that rotation of said control cam is translated to vertical motion of said link; and a control rod extending from said control cam; said control rod being pivotally connected to said control cam at a second connection point, said second connection point being offset from said pivot axis of said control cam such that movement of said control rod rotates said control cam about said pivot axis; said control rod including a finger sized to engage a selected one of said adjustment position openings or notches.