Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: An animal feeder for delivery of feed to at least one animal. The animal feeder includes a pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and a pair of opposed endwalls coupled to the opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls. The pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and the pair of endwalls defining an opening. A dust cover covers at least a portion of the opening, such that opposed peripheral edges of the dust cover are supported by contact with opposed inside surfaces of the pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls, such that the dust cover reduces airborne particulates generated by receiving feed through the opening.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin. The improved feeder is provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate. The animal feeder is provided with improvements that aid in the cleaning and sterilization of the equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling an opening and closing of a hinged door includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends substantially along a first plane. The second member extends substantially along the first plane when in a first position and extends substantially along a second plane when in a second position. When the second member is in the second position, the second member deformably projects from the first member.

Abstract: This invention is a quick attach fan guard for shroud type fans. A plurality of L-shaped slots are provided in the front and rear edges of the shroud with hooks with bends in the same are mounted on the fan guard so such bends lie a juxtaposed parallel plane to the interior of the shroud and the hooks engage the slots with such guard being rotated to lock the same to the shroud. At least one bolt is used to prevent undesirable counterrotation which might disconnect the guard from the shroud. Also malletable tabs are provided in a connector plate for the shroud to support the fan when used as a circulating fan. When the fan is used as an exhaust fan, a hook is mounted on the connecting plate for engaging an angle bracket on an adapter plate with a circular opening therein. Pivotable tabs mounted on the interior edges of the shroud engage the circular opening in the adapter plate. The same tabs are also used to stabilize two or more fans when they are stacked during storage and transport.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin. The improved feeder features a feed drop tube holder fabricated from a flexible, resilient material which is installed intermediate the opposed side walls of the feed bin by compressing the holder lengthwise with hand pressure to effectively reduce its overall length and to allow tabs formed on the ends thereof to engage a plurality of horizontally opposed slots formed in the opposed side walls. The holder is next released and springs back to its original flat configuration so that the tabs engage the slots and the holder is retained intermediate the opposed side walls. The flexible holder includes a central opening that is adapted to loosely receive a feed drop tube associated with the automatic feed delivery system.

Abstract: A fan housing having a peripheral wall disposed about the fan's axis of rotation. A plurality of flanges including reinforced hems are integrally formed with and extend perpendicularly of the peripheral wall toward the fan's axis of rotation. A screen fabricated from interconnected, perpendicular wire strands is coupled to the flanges by means of the reinforced hems with rigid but malleable tabs integrally formed thereon that are bent around a peripheral strand of the screen. Apertures are defined by and extend through the peripheral wall and the flanges to provide access to the tabs such that the tabs may be urged toward the flanges to secure the screen in position. The same apertures provide access to the tabs such that the tabs may be urged away from the flanges to disengage the peripheral strand from the tabs such that the screen may be removed and replaced.

Abstract: This invention is a drop-lock adjustment used on automatic feeders to adjust the feed gates either up or down and includes shielded drop locks connected to control rods that pass through a channel. An adaptor plate mounted on the channel has a downwardly projecting flange spaced from the channel with an elongated slot in the plate to prevent the animals being fed from tripping the lock to cause either more or less feed to be dispensed.

Abstract: This invention is a drop-lock adjustment used on automatic feeders to adjust the feed gates either up or down and includes shielded drop-locks connected to control rods that pass through a channel adjacent slot-like openings in such channel to prevent the animals being fed from tripping the lock to cause either more or less feed to be dispensed.