Title of Invention

"DEVICE FOR REGULATING THE FEEDING OF GRANULAR POULTRY FEED INTO A PLURALITY OF MANGERS"

Abstract A device for regulating the feeding of granular feed in a plurality of poultry mangers (M) through a distribution manifold tube (1) and a plurality of gravity feed vertical tubes (2), wherein the feed release aperture at the end of each vertical tube is regulated by a shutter sleeve (5) telescopically lowerable and liftable along the respective vertical tube (2) by acting on a rope system of suspension of the shutter sleeves (5) has, first means (12, 13, 14) and second means (7) for anchoring the two ends of a unified command rope (8) to the feed distribution tube (1), respectively on one side and the other side of said plurality of mangers (M), and rope supporting brackets (9) on the distribution tube (1) at least in correspondence of each.
Full Text Modern poultry farms are commonly equipped with a system for distributing and delivering granular feed in a plurality of mangers for feeding poultry.
The feed distributing system commonly comprises at least a distribution manifold tube for each line of mangers, normally sustained horizontally at a certain level from the floor. Each distribution manifold has a certain number of T-shaped joints at more or less regular intervals each connecting vertical tube through which the granular feed may fall by gravity.
At its lower end of each tube sustains the dish of the relative manger and the tube is provided with an opening through which the granular feed is released onto the dish of the manger.
Usually the granular feed is pushed through the distribution tubes by a common screw pushing device.
The outlet aperture through which the granular feed is released onto the manger is regulated, typically by a conic or other type of shutter, that is lowered or raised for increasing or reducing the rate at which the feed is outlet from the regulated aperture at the end of the down fall tube onto the dish of the manger when the pushing devices of the granular feed along the distribution manifold are activated.
As it may be readily recognized, the large number of mangers to be managed impose the use of devices having a relatively high degree of uniformity of effect when adjusted through unified control means for regulating the rate of gravity feeding of granular feed onto the mangers such avoid having to intervene repeatingly on each manger.
On the other side, unification of the adjustment mechanism imposes also the presence of means for readily trimming the rate of regulating of each single manger for allowing initial and periodical"trimming", such to rely on the use of a

unified command for releasing feed onto all the mangers without intervention for relatively long periods of time.
At present the known mechanisms employed for satisfying these needs are relatively complex and expensive to install and to keep working properly.
It has now been found a device for regulating the delivery of granular feed in a plurality of poultry mangers relatively inexpensive and easy to fabricate and that may be mounted directly on the distribution manifold tube, without requiring erection or suspension the dedicated structures for holding the parts that form the feed rate regulation device.
The device of the present invention provides means for anchoring the two opposite ends of a command rope that may be fixed directly on an existing manifold tube for distributing the granular feed, respectively at one side and at the opposite side of a plurality of mangers hanging down at intervals from horizontally distribution manifold tube.
Each conic sleeve or similar shutter of the opening at the base of the vertical tube that sustains the manger, is held by a suspension rope. This rope is threaded through the same hole through which passes the command rope of a eyelet holder fixed onto the horizontal distribution tube in correspondence of each manger, and runs for an adjustable length parallel to the command rope and its end is eventually fixed to the command rope.
The devices for anchoring the command rope at its two ends comprise a tensioning spring and a screw mechanism for shifting in one direction or in the opposite direction the point of anchorage of one end of the command rope in order to cause a corresponding lowering or lifting of the conic sleeves or of the equivalent shutters of all the mangers disposed along the tube.
All the organs of the unified regulation device for all the mangers feed through the distribution tube may be conveniently fixed directly on the tube itself by the use of simple straps that may be screw-tightened in an extremely easy manner. The installation of the unified regulation devices of the present invention is surprisingly easy and economic because it does not require the realization of dedicated supporting structures.
The present invention provides a device for regulating the feeding of granular feed in a plurality of poultry mangers (M) through a distribution manifold tube (1) and a plurality of gravity feed vertical tubes (2), wherein a manger (M) is sustained at the lower end each vertical tube (2) that has openings (4) through which the feed may be released by gravity onto a dish (3) of the manger, the feed release aperture of said openings (4) being defined by a shutter sleeve (5) telescopically lowerable and liftable over the vertical tube (2) by acting on a rope system of suspension of the shutter sleeves (5), comprising
characterized in that a unified command rope (8) having its ends anchored on one side and the other side, respectively of said plurality of mangers (M), and command rope supporting brackets (9) on said distribution tube (1) at least in correspondence of each vertical tube (2); a suspension rope (10) of each of said shutter sleeve (5), passing through an eyelet of the respective command rope supporting bracket (9) through which said command rope (8) is threaded, running parallel thereto for a certain length and having its end being fastened to said command rope (8) by an adjustment clamp (17); a terminal spring (11) for tensioning the anchored command rope (8) and cooperating with a threaded stop wheel (12) of a screw mechanism for shifting the anchoring point of the spring (11) tensioned command rope (8) having one end fastened to a threaded stem (13) slidably held in a supporting sleeve (14) fixed onto said distribution tube (1) provided with a key (4b) engaged in a longitudinal groove (13b) of said threaded stem (13) for preventing its rotation; the abutting surfaces of the threaded stop

wheel (12) and of said supporting sleeve (14) having cooperating projections and indentations (15, 16)angularly spaced around the hole through which said threaded stem (13) passes, for establishing a plurality of angular stop positions of the rotation of the threaded stop wheel (12) that may be overcome by exerting a sufficient torque on the wheel for overcoming the tensioning force exerted by said spring (11).
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a complete assembly of the unified regulating device of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a single manger.
Figure 3 is a detail side view of the screw mechanism for modifying the position of the shutters of all the mangers by a unified maneuver.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the keyed bearing sleeve of the screw.
The figures depict a sample embodiment of the device of the present invention that may be realized even in other functionally equivalent forms using components of different shape from those.
Basically Fig. 1 depicts a feed distribution manifold tube 1 for a plurality of mangers M for poultry.
The feed derivation for each manger M is realized in a classic manner using a T-shaped coupling for a vertical tube 2, that in the depicted example is closed at its lower extremity by the dish 3 of the relative manger suspended therefrom.
As it may be easily noticed in the enlarged view of Fig. 2, each vertical tube is provided with openings 4 through which the granular feed may fall by gravity onto the dish 3 of the manger. The release aperture of the granular feed through the openings 4 present at the base of the vertical tube 2 may be regulated and


eventually closed by lowering completely the conical sleeve 5 that is telescopically lowerable and liftable along the tube 2.
The shutter sleeve 5 hangs at the end of a relatively thin rope 10.
The unified device for regulating the release of feed onto all the mangers fed through the tube 1, is maneuvered through the tensioned command rope 8 running above the distribution tube 1. The rope 8 has one end anchored to a hook 7, fixed on the distribution tube 1 by means of two straps 6 that may be of the common screw-tightened type, by interposing a spring 11 for maintaining tension.
The opposite end of the rope 8 is anchored to a threaded stem 13 slidingly passing through a supporting sleeve 14 provided with a longitudinal projection or key 14b, as depicted in the detail view of Fig. 4, engaging with a longitudinal groove 13b of the treaded stem 13 for preventing rotation of the treaded stem 13. The rear face of the supporting sleeve 14 is provided with a plurality of projections 15 at uniform angular distances around a circumference coaxial with the hole through which the threaded body 13 passes, as depicted in Fig. 3.
A threaded regulating stop wheel 12 screwed on the threaded body 13 has a face abutting against the terminal face with the angular spaced projections 15 of the supporting sleeve 14, provided with indentations 16 at the same uniform angular distances around the circumference such to determine, in cooperation with the projections 15 present on the terminal face of the supporting sleeve 14, a plurality of angular stop positions of the rotation of the regulation wheel 12 on the threaded body 13. These stop positions may be overcome by simply exercising a sufficient torque on the wheel such to overcome the resistance caused by the tension on the mechanism provided by the tensioning spring 11.
A circular spring 18 or a split pin, mounted at the extremity of the grooved threaded body 13 prevents it from being unthreaded out of the holder.

Even the supporting sleeve 14 screw-mechanism may be conveniently fixed directly to the tube 1 by means of two screw-tiglitened straps 6.
As it may be better noticed in the enlarged detailed view of Fig. 2, the thin suspension rope 10 of each conic shutter 5, is threaded through the same eyelet through which is threaded the unified command rope 8 of a respective support bracket 9 mounted onto the relative T-shaped joint and runs for a certain adjustable length parallel to the rope 8.
Preferably, the fastening of the end of the shutter suspension rope 10 to the command rope 8 is done by using a spring-clamp 17 adjustably slidable along the command rope 8 by pressing the release buttons 18 of the spring clamps onto which the end of thin rope 10 is fastened. This allows an easy adjustment of the relative positions of the conical sleeve shutters 5 of the mangers during an initial trimming and whenever found necessary. Of course, instead of a spring clamp, common screw clamp may be employed for fastening the end of the rope 10, to the unified command rope 8.
The spring 11 (Fig. 1) ensures, for the whole operative shift distance of the fastening point of one end of the command rope 8, which may generally be of several centimeters, an adequate tensioning of the rope 8. Moreover, its tensioning action is instrumental in detecting the useful plurality of angular stop positions of the rotation of the regulation wheel 12, as described above. This further enhances stability of the regulation and provides to the operator an useful tool for more easily and precisely regulate the feed rate, because it is possible to establish from time to time how many angular positions should be overcome in turning the regulation wheel 12 in a direction or in the opposite direction to achieve a certain increment or decrement of the rate of feed release in the mangers.

As depicted in the figures, both the support sleeve 14 as well as the hook terminal 7 may have a conveniently saddle-shaped base, such to facilitate their fastening onto the cylindrical surface of the feed distribution tube 1.
All components, except the ropes 8 and 10 and the spring 11 and eventually the straps 6 may be conveniently and economically made of injection molded plastic avoiding any machining.





We Claim:
1. A device for regulating the feeding of granular feed in a plurality of poultry
mangers (M) through a distribution manifold tube (1) and a plurality of gravity
feed vertical tubes (2), wherein a manger (M) is sustained at the lower end each
vertical tube (2) that has openings (4) through which the feed may be released by
gravity onto a dish (3) of the manger, the feed release aperture of said openings
(4) being defined by a shutter sleeve (5) telescopically lowerable and liftable over
the vertical tube (2) by acting on a rope system of suspension of the shutter
sleeves (5),
characterized by a unified command rope (8) having its ends anchored on one side
and the other side, respectively of said plurality of mangers (M), and command
rope supporting brackets (9) on said distribution tube (1) at least in
correspondence of each vertical tube (2);
a suspension rope (10) of each of said shutter sleeve (5), passing through an eyelet
of the respective command rope supporting bracket (9) through which said
command rope (8) is threaded, running parallel thereto for a certain length and
having its end being fastened to said command rope (8) by an adjustment
clamp (17);
a terminal spring (11) for tensioning the anchored command rope (8) and
cooperating with a threaded stop wheel (12) of a screw mechanism for shifting
the anchoring point of the spring (11) tensioned command rope (8) having one
end fastened to a threaded stem (13) slidably held in a supporting sleeve (14)
fixed onto said distribution tube (1) provided with a key (4b) engaged in a
longitudinal groove (13b) of said threaded stem (13) for preventing its rotation;
the abutting surfaces of the threaded stop wheel (12) and of said supporting sleeve
(14) having cooperating projections and indentations (15, 16)angularly spaced
around the hole through which said threaded stem (13) passes, for establishing
a plurality of angular stop positions of the rotation of the threaded stop wheel
(12) that may be overcome by exerting a sufficient torque on the wheel for
overcoming the tensioning force exerted by said spring (11).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein anchoring means at opposite ends of said spring tensioned command rope (8) have saddle-shaped bases conforming to the cylindrical surface of said distribution tube (1) and fixed thereon by screw-tightenable straps (6).
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustment clamp (17) is a spring biased clamp releasable by pressing release buttons (18).
4. A device for regulating the feeding of granular feed in a plurality of poultry mangers substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.



Documents:

01145-delnp-2003 abstract.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- assignment.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- claims.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- correspondence-others.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- description (complete).pdf

01145-delnp-2003- drawings.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- form-1.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- form-18.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- form-2.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- form-3.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- form-5.pdf

01145-delnp-2003- gpa.pdf

01145-delnp-2003-pct-210.pdf

01145-delnp-2003-pct-220.pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Abstract-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Claims-(06-10-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Claims-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Correspondence-Others-(06-10-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Correspondence-Others-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Description (Complete)-(06-10-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Description (Complete)-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Drawings-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Form-2-(15-09-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-GPA-(06-10-2008).pdf

1145-DELNP-2003-Petition-138-(15-09-2008).pdf

abstract.jpg


Patent Number 224229
Indian Patent Application Number 01145/DELNP/2003
PG Journal Number 44/2008
Publication Date 31-Oct-2008
Grant Date 08-Oct-2008
Date of Filing 22-Jul-2003
Name of Patentee CORTI ZOOTECNICI S.R.L.,
Applicant Address VIA ALESSANDRO VOLTA,4,21020 MONVALLE,ITALY.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CORTI ESTERINO, VIA VIDOLETTI,63,21030 CUVEGLIO,ITALY.
PCT International Classification Number A01K 39/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/IT02/00017
PCT International Filing date 2002-01-15
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 VA2001U000001 2001-01-17 Italy