초록 ▼

A device and method for lifting and transporting a conventional hay bale feeder in association with the directed movement of a round hay bale and for facilitating the placement of the feeder around the bale. The device can be removably attached to the feeder and consists of a lift arm assembly, a li

A device and method for lifting and transporting a conventional hay bale feeder in association with the directed movement of a round hay bale and for facilitating the placement of the feeder around the bale. The device can be removably attached to the feeder and consists of a lift arm assembly, a lift arm support assembly, and an anti-slide stabilizing assembly. The lift arm assembly includes a lift arm that is angled away from the top of the feeder to provide feeder lift. The lift arm support assembly acts as a brace to support the lift arm. The anti-slide stabilizing assembly limits rearward and side to side rocking movement of the feeder when lifted and transported, respectively. In alternate embodiments, the device is integrated into circular and multi-sided feeders during manufacture, forming single stand-alone units. The method of using the device includes moving the bale toward the lift arm using a tractor or other vehicle, tilting of the feeder in an upward direction as the lift arm contacts and slides up the bale, terminating the bale movement when the lift arm rests on top of the bale, moving the hay bale in the opposite direction causing the lift arm to penetrate into the bale and pull the feeder in unison with the bale, terminating the bale movement at the feeding location, and pushing the feeder down over the bale or pushing the bale into the feeder until the feeder falls to the ground with the bale inside. Moreover, the design of the device allows the lift arm to be pivoted toward and secured to the feeder for manual rolling of the feeder in the traditional manner.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A hay bale feeder capable of being tilted and transported in association with the directed movement of a conventional hay bale, the feeder comprising: (a) a structure configured for enclosing the hay bale having a bottom, a bottom edge, an exterior, a top edge, a bottom portion, and a t

I claim: 1. A hay bale feeder capable of being tilted and transported in association with the directed movement of a conventional hay bale, the feeder comprising: (a) a structure configured for enclosing the hay bale having a bottom, a bottom edge, an exterior, a top edge, a bottom portion, and a top portion with said top portion having a plurality of sufficiently sized openings for livestock to access and feed on the hay bale; (b) at least one tilt ramp having an upper end and a lower end, said at least one tilt ramp disposed on the outside of said exterior of said structure, said lower end being positioned adjacent to said bottom edge of said structure, said at least one tilt ramp being connected to said structure at a first point and said upper end of said at least one tilt ramp extending towards said top edge of said structure in a spaced relationship thereto, such that said at least one tilt ramp forms an acute angle with respect to said exterior of said structure; (c) at least one brace connecting to said at least one tilt ramp at a second point, above said first point, and to said structure at a third point, above said first point, in said spaced relationship thereto; and (d) at least one stabilizing member connected to said structure, said at least one stabilizing member being positioned adjacent to said bottom of said structure apart from said at least one tilt ramp, said at least one stabilizing member configured to limit sliding movement of said structure with respect to the ground in a reverse direction, defined as a said tilt ramp to said at least one stabilizing member direction, permit sliding movement with respect to the ground in a forward direction, opposite from said reverse direction, and limit rocking movement with respect to the ground in a side to side direction; wherein directing the movement of the hay bale in said reverse direction against said at least one tilt ramp results in the upward tilting of said structure until said lower end of said tilt ramp is located on the top of the hay bale and an engagement of said lower end of said tilt ramp with the hay bale upon movement of the hay bale in said forward direction, said engagement sufficient to permit the transport of said structure when the hay bale is moved in said forward direction. 2. The feeder of claim 1 further including, an attachment means for removably securing said at least one tilt ramp to said structure at a fourth point, above said first point and wherein: (a) said at least one brace is pivotably connected to said structure at said third point and removably connected to said at least one lift arm at said second point, (b) said at least one tilt ramp is pivotably connected to said structure at said first point, whereby said at least one brace can be pivoted downwardly to a substantially vertical position and then said at least one tilt ramp pivoted upwardly and secured to said structure at said fourth point, thereby permitting said structure to be manually lifted and rolled on said exterior. 3. The feeder of claim 1 further including an arcuate section in said lower end of said tilt ramp configured to permit easy sliding of said structure on the top of the hay bale in said forward direction and to optimize said engagement with the hay bale when the hay bale is moved in said forward direction and wherein said at least one tilt ramp has a length such that the installed vertical height of said at least one tilt ramp is greater than the height of the hay bale. 4. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said at least one stabilizing member is disposed at a position substantially on the opposite side of said structure to said tilt ramp. 5. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said bottom portion of said structure further includes a panel that supports the containment of loose hay.