Abstract: A bale feeder apparatus, system and method is described. A bale feeder for feeding a herd of livestock includes at least three ring-shaped horizontal rails including a top rail, a bottom rail and a middle rail, the middle rail spaced above the bottom rail at a middle rail height measured from a ground, and a plurality of neck rails extending upwards and inwards from the middle rail to the top rail, each neck rail spaced apart from an adjacent neck rail on same side of the bale feeder at a neck rail distance, the middle rail height about equal to a length of a longest foreleg expected in the herd of livestock, and the neck rail distance falling within a range bounded by a widest head expected in the herd of livestock, and a narrowest adult shoulder width expected of any adult animal in the herd of livestock.

Abstract: A bale feeder apparatus, system and method is described. A bale feeder for feeding a herd of livestock includes at least three ring-shaped horizontal rails including a top rail, a bottom rail and a middle rail, the middle rail spaced above the bottom rail at a middle rail height measured from a ground, and a plurality of neck rails extending upwards and inwards from the middle rail to the top rail, each neck rail spaced apart from an adjacent neck rail on same side of the bale feeder at a neck rail distance, the middle rail height about equal to a length of a longest foreleg expected in the herd of livestock, and the neck rail distance falling within a range bounded by a widest head expected in the herd of livestock, and a narrowest adult shoulder width expected of any adult animal in the herd of livestock.

Abstract: A cat feeding enclosure comprises a plurality of exterior walls enclosing an interior space, an entry opening for a cat to enter the interior space, a feeding area in the interior space for accommodating a receptacle for holding cat food, and an interior wall within the enclosure defining a circuitous path for a cat to walk along from the entry opening to access the feeding area. The entry opening is preferably no larger than necessary to accommodate passage of a large size cat therethrough. The circuitous path has a plurality of sharp turns to prevent a dog from following the circuitous path from the entry opening to the feeding area.

Abstract: A method and system is provided that controls pet access to various different locations and/or objects. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system whereby pets wearing an ID tag are allowed access to various locations and/or objects, such as food contained within a feeder dish for example, while a sensor system, responding to the presence of other animals or people, causes the device to close preventing unauthorized access thereto. The feeder further includes one or more sensors using ultrasonic, infrared technology or both in combination for the identification of both tagged and non-tagged animals or children. Further embodiments employ the system to control access to litter boxes, pet toys, pet watering systems, pet gate access, pet containment systems or pet doors.

Abstract: A method and system is provided that controls pet access to various different locations and/or objects. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system whereby pets wearing an ID tag are allowed access to various locations and/or objects, such as food contained within a feeder dish for example, while a sensor system, responding to the presence of other animals or people, causes the device to close preventing unauthorized access thereto. The feeder further includes one or more sensors using ultrasonic, infrared technology or both in combination for the identification of both tagged and non-tagged animals or children. Further embodiments employ the system to control access to litter boxes, pet toys, pet watering systems, pet gate access, pet containment systems or pet doors.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel device having two primary components. The first component is a specialized collar and the second component is a feeder. The specialized collar has a pendant from which an activation magnet hangs. The feeder has a magnetic sensor which is placed in a location so as to sense the magnet from the collar. The feeder is in the open condition except when an animal wearing a specific magnet approaches a feeder, an activation mechanism causes a restriction mechanism to be placed over the food access so that the animal wearing the collar cannot have access to the food. When the animal goes away from the feeder, the restriction is removed so that other animals who do not have the collar will have access to the food.

Abstract: A restricted animal access feeder which includes the concept of having vibratory means and noise emitting means which will scare an animal away from eating food in a desired dish. The vibratory means and noise emitting means are generated by closing of a magnetic circuit so that the vibratory mechanism and noise activating mechanism is activated. An animal who is desired not to eat from a specific food dish will wear a specific magnetic collar that will close the activation circuit. An animal that does not have such collar will not close the activation circuit and therefore, will have access to the food. The invention also includes means to enable the magnet to detach from a magnetic object so that the animal will not be permanently attached to a magnetic object such as a refrigerator.

Abstract: An elevated feeder or framework holds the round bales of feedstock off the ground while providing a convenient height for the livestock to feed from. The bale feeder is made by rigidly connecting tubular elements, of the same or different diameters together, at any angle, without the use of special fasteners. The elevated feeder holds the bales with the flat ends in a position that is the most convenient for the livestock to consume the feedstock. The elevated feeder keeps the feedstock bales off the ground by supporting the feedstock on an adjustable, flexible mesh bale support, with openings to permit rain and water to drain away from the feedstock. The mesh bale support length is adjusted by moving the mesh support clamping bars closer to or farther away from the ends of the mesh raises or lowers the bale to accommodate the feeding height of the livestock being fed.

Abstract: A deer feeder for holding a food container such as a jar of peanut butter. The deer feeder includes a support structure that extends upwardly from the ground and a food container holder, in the form of a sleeve, mounted to an upper portion of the support. The food container holder includes a pair of stops with at least one of the stops being movable between first and second positions. When the food container is opened and placed within the food container holder, the stops engage the food container and prevent the food container from falling from the food container holder or from being pushed from the food container holder.

Abstract: An antiperch device for deterring birds from perching on undesired perch locations. The device includes various embodiments which are constructed of wires forming arcs and/or wires that are parallel to and spaced above an object such as a light fixture to be protected. The wires are sufficiently flexible and have a small enough diameter to prevent the birds from getting a secure footing thereon but are sufficiently stiff to keep the birds from reaching the object.

Abstract: An animal feeder that protects food contained therein from ants and other crawling insects. The feeder includes a support having a post extending upwardly from a base. A food bowl is suspended from the post above the base. An insect trap is secured to the post between the base and the food bowl. The insect trap has a top wall that is affixed to, and sealed about, the post. A side wall extends downwardly from the periphery of the top wall. A bottom wall is secured to the base of the side wall. The bottom wall has a central opening that encircles the post at a distance and that provides a passageway through which insects may enter the trap. A liquid-retaining wall extends upwardly from the periphery of the opening so as to serve as a dam for a liquid, insect attractant placed in the bottom of the trap.

Abstract: The invention is a squirrel deterrent assembly including a pole member supporting a bird feeding device. A biasing spring member having first and second ends encircles a portion of the pole member and is secured thereto at the first end thereof. An axially elongated sleeve member surrounds the spring member and the portion of the pole member, with the sleeve member secured to the spring member at the second end thereof. A squirrel grasping the sleeve member causes up and down movement thereof, relative to the pole member, thereby frightening the animal off the assembly.

Abstract: A combination round bale feeder includes tubular U-shaped ribs arranged to form a cradle framework. The cylindrical shape of the feeder keeps the enclosed hay bale or other forage centered, while the spacing of frame members allows controlled access to all of the enclosed forage. A removable gate is provided at the rear of the feeder to permit easy loading and includes brackets to allow the gate to be hung on the side of the feeder during loading. A removable plastic floor sheet is also provided that converts the feeder into a trough for supplemental feed. A mounting platform with skid pipes elevates the framework above the ground and allows the feeder to be pushed or pulled to different locations. The compact construction of the feeder also allows for convenient transport in the bed of a pickup truck as well as manual handling by as few as two persons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bird feeder with a height adjustment to allow the bird feeder to be lowered for gaining access thereto. A slide member is attached to the bird seed tray which slides up and down a support for lowering the bird feeder into a lowered position and elevating the bird feeder into an elevated position for dispensing bird seed therefrom. A deflector is provided for directing the bird seed onto the tray for dispensing thereof. A spiral shaped wire is placed upon the feeding portion of the tray in order to prevent the birds from kicking out the bird seed from the tray onto the ground. A protective cover covers the bird feeder to protect the bird seed from the weather.

Abstract: A device and a method for protecting a structure, especially a wire or cable-like structure, against roosting of birds. The device comprises an array of flexible, plastic fingers extending away from the wire or cable-like structure in a predetermined pattern. Each of the flexible, plastic fingers is flexible enough such that when a bird attempts to land thereon, the finger will flex relative to the wire or cable-like structure, thereby deterring the bird from landing on the wire or cable-like structure. The flexing capability of the fingers is designed to frustrate a bird from landing thereon, and the structure of the fingers is designed to minimize the risk of injury to the bird.

Abstract: A pig and sow feeder comprising a pig feeder unit having a trough portion at the lower end thereof and a hopper positioned thereabove adapted to supply feed to the trough portion. The sow feeder unit includes a trough portion at the lower end thereof and a hopper positioned thereabove adapted to supply feed thereto. The trough portions of the sow and pig feeder units are disposed relative to each other so that the trough of the pig feeder may be positioned in the creep area of a farrowing pen and so that the trough of the sow feeder unit may be positioned in the farrowing crate portion of a farrowing pen. The troughs of the feeder units are in communication with each other so that feed in the trough of the pig feeder may be swept into the trough of the sow feeder. A slide gate normally prevents communication between the troughs of the feeder units.