Abstract: A modern feed car apparatus for supplying feed to an arrangement of animal or bird confinement cages which have feed trough means associated therewith. The feed car apparatus includes hopper means for a receiving and maintaining limited amounts of feed, support frame means for carrying the hopper means along and past the feed trough means, delivery means mounted for movement with the hopper means, and drive means for operating both the support frame means and the delivery means. The delivery means comprises a continuous moving conveyor element and housing for receiving feed from the hopper means when laying flat to insure proper filling of the conveyor element. In addition, the delivery means includes drop tube means and a leveling member to deliver feed into the feed trough means and accurately control the amount and level of feed delivered.

Abstract: A dock structure, adapted to mount to a frame, having clips which are attached to the frame and plank members which are assembled to the clips. Both the clips and the planks are integrally formed of plastic to provide high weatherability, durability and pleasing aesthetics. In assembly, clips are securely attached to the frame and a plank member is adapted to securely attach to the clips thus concealing any fasteners which secure the dock structure to the underlying structural frame.

Abstract: A grain bin structure having an inverted frusto-conical interior drying floor dividing the bin structure into a drying chamber and a storage chamber, and a transfer means comprising a rotating helical conveying system for transporting grain from the drying chamber to the storage chamber, said rotating helical conveying system having inlet means in communication with the drying chamber and outlet means in communication with the storage chamber. Preferably, the bin structure further comprises control means for sensing the moisture content of the grain in the drying chamber and for signaling activation of the transfer means when the moisture content reaches a predetermined level. The grain bin structure may also include improved diverter means for insuring complete transfer of the grain from the drying chamber to the storage chamber and deflector means for promoting even piling of the grain within the storage chamber.

Abstract: A plastic plank member, for use with a deck arrangement, having a rigid base portion and a tread portion attached thereto which are integrally extruded of suitable plastics. The rigid portion of the plank member is adapted to be secured to an underlying support structure. The tread portion is formed with protrusions projecting upwardly away from the tread and grooves formed therein. The characteristics of the tread result in a sufficiently high coefficient of friction to reduce the possibility of slipping on the plank member.

Abstract: A versatile feeder for use in an automated feeding system of the type used to raise domestic birds and animals on a commercial scale comprising a pan member for containing and presenting feed for consumption, feeder tube means disposed above said pan member and connectible with a feed conveyor source, said feeder tube means having upper and lower feed gates for directing feed supplied to said feeder tube means from said feed conveyor source into said pan member, and rotatable collar means surrounding said feeder tube means for controlling a first feed flow directed through said upper feed gate into said pan member independently of a second feed flow directed through said lower feed gate into said pan member. Associated wing members may also be provided on said rotatable collar means to prevent access to said first feed flow by said consuming birds and animals prior to the feed reaching a limited feeding area defined within the pan member.

Abstract: A hanger device integrally molded of plastic for a watering system for use in animal husbandry which facilitates the assembly of a watering system without the need for fasteners or tools. The hanger member is a vertically oriented beam member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of which is attached to a flexible cord to suspend the watering system above a surface, the bottom end of which is formed with a pipe supporting portion to support a water pipe at the lowermost end of the hanger. Positioned generally in between the top and bottom ends of the hanger are a anti-roost wire bore and a support member bore. The anti-roost member bore provides insulated suspension of the electrified anti-roost wire between the hanger members and the support member bore provides a bore through which a structural support member projects over the entire length of the system.

Abstract: A latch apparatus and a cover member for releasably closing an access opening in a grain bin. The latch apparatus includes a continuous bar which has a gripping section for grasping while opening and closing the cover member, a section for engaging a stud which protrudes from the frame around the perimeter of the opening, and a section on which the bar pivots. The pivot section of the bar rotates within a pivot receptacle which is secured to the cover member.

Abstract: Ventalation structure for farm storage bins and the like comprising a series of bracing members to hold a bin roof structure above a bin wall structure thereby opening the structure to uniform air circulation. Screening material is provided to prevent bugs and other objects carried by the air from entering the bin and a baffle member protect the ventalation structure from windblown rain and snow. The ventilation structure enables stored commodities to dry faster and minimizes the risk of dust explosions.

Abstract: An improved intake cup apparatus for use in an automated feeding system of the type utilizing feed supply conduits and feed conveyors providing troughs to present feed to caged poultry and the like. The improved intake cup properly meters and directs feed from the supply conduits to the feed conveyors and assures the conveyors will not become over-filled. The physical structure of the improved intake cup apparatus comprises a cup body having openings formed therein to receive feed from a supply conduit and allow a helical auger-like element of the feed conveyor to pass through the cup body and collect feed therefrom. Collection of feed by the auger-like element as it proceeds through the cup is restricted however, by an open-sleeve member partially surrounding the auger within the cup body and a restrictor plate partially covering the remaining auger access. Certain void areas are also created adjacent the auger and thereby assure overfilling will not occur.

Abstract: A poultry feeder assembly for use with an automated conveyor-type feed system. The feeder assembly is inexpensive to manufacture and comprises only two assembly pieces which are formed of a resilient, flexible material allowing for easy assembly and adjustment without tool or implement. Multi-stage incremental positioning provided between a dome/feeder-tube combination and a pan member allows feeding of brood through pre-harvest sized foul and renders the feeder assembly adaptable for use with feeds having varying flow characteristics.

Abstract: A protective housing and mounting apparatus for simultaneously protectively enclosing, and mounting to a given surface, a generally cylindrical capacitive-type proximity sensor having a substantially solid and unbroken external surface and an electrode member at one axial end thereof. The protective housing and mounting apparatus comprises a one-piece integrally formed member of a durable, moldable plastics material, including an end surface configured for complementary mounting upon a given surface and a protective body portion extending from this end surface for surroundingly housing an end part of the sensor proximate the axial end thereof at which the electrode member is located. The body portion has a cylindrical open-ended bore therein for receiving an end part of the sensor and this bore extends to a point closely spaced behind the end surface.

Abstract: A lid opener apparatus is provided for use with a relatively large storage bin, and comprises a handle and structure for mounting and supporting the handle at a convenient height for manipulation by an operator. The mounting and support structure includes a first elongate link which has one end thereof pivotally mounted to the handle and the other end thereof pivotally mounted at a fixed location relative to the bin. A first elongate rod-like member is pivotally mounted to the same end of the link which receives the handle and extends upwardly to an area adjacent the top of the bin. A second rod-like member is pivotally coupled at one end thereof to the lid and extends outwardly to an area adjacent the uppermost end of the first rod-like member.

Abstract: A releasable rail locking device for a tubular fence comprises first and second substantially identical elongate flexible legs joined at a predetermined angle to define a generally V-shaped flexibe bow-like portion elastically deformable to a predetermined range of angles about this predetermined angle. The legs terminate in respective oppositely oriented outwardly extending gripping portions for releasably grippingly engaging a wall of a tubular fence rail member about aligned through apertures therein. Each of the gripping portions comprises a body portion extending from the associated leg and an enlarged head portion extending from the body portion to define a shoulder therewith. Both the head portion and body portions as well as the bow-like portion are sized to extend the heads and bodies through the through apertures in the tubular fence rail wall while maintaining the bow-like portion in a partially compressed condition, at an angle somewhat less than the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A hog feeder comprises a generally overhead horizontal conveyor for transporting feed to a series of drop tubes which contain centerless augers for delivering feed downwardly through the tubes to feed pans therebelow. Attached to the auger at its lower end are elements for engagement by the hogs during feeding to drive the centerless auger and thereby positively deliver feed to the feed pans. The system further includes a limit switch in the down tube of a control feeder unit located above the pan and below the horizontal conveyor for ensuring that there is always feed in the various other feeder units attached to the overhead conveyor.

Abstract: A novel poultry watering device, and a combined watering and feeding system are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the water device or station includes a support tube, at least one water-holding cup disposed for access by poultry, and water conduit means carried by the support tube and extending from a water line to the water-holding cup. In a second embodiment, the water conduit means is suspended from a pivoting clamp arrangement beneath a feed conveyor. The system includes a plurality of discrete feeder pan units connected to the feed conveyor and disposed to present feed to the poultry. The water line can conveniently be located generally adjacent the feed conveyor. A number of water dispensing stations of the type described are also provided. These water dispensing stations have their support tubes or clamps carried by the feeder conveyor. In this way, the water dispensing stations and feed pan units are all disposed at the same level.

Abstract: A watering device for confined poultry is offered. The watered includes an upwardly opening cup, and a valve mechanism at the cup bottom. Ears extend from the cup over a valve body to retain the valve body in the cup. These ears can be provided with extensions for engaging a flotation member so as to dispose the flotation member and a valve pin in upright positions even when little or no water is present in the cup. A mounting base attaches to at least one bar of the poultry confinement area, and supports the cup and valve on the cage bar. A cup upper lip has at least one recess adapted to engage a cage bar so as to mount the waterer in a position accessible to the confined poultry.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering feed to a plurality of animal cages arranged in rows said system comprises an endless conduit extending along a conduit run past at least one of the rows of cages and through a feed trough disposed adjacent the faces of the row of cages. An elongate, continuous, endless material moving element extends through the endless conduit run and is longitudinally movable therethrough, and a driver element advances the endless material moving element along and through the conduit run. The material moving element comprises an elongate helical member defining a longitudinal helix axis and bendable about this axis for following the endless conduit run. Cooperating structure on the driver element and on the helical member rotates the helical member about the helix axis thereof while simultaneously axially advancing the helical member along and through the conduit run.