Abstract: The food pellet dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a hopper which communicates food pellets to a paddle wheel, which is housed within an enclosure, through a chute. The paddle wheel is coupled to a drive motor which rotates the paddle wheel when power is applied. Positioned within the chute is a shut-off gate that controls the flow of food pellets from the hopper into the enclosure. A timer circuit applies power to the drive motor at periodic intervals to facilitate the rotation of the paddle wheel. A delay timer circuit after a predetermined delay, which approximately corresponds to the time required to accelerate the paddle wheel to operating speed, opens the shut-off gate, thereby allowing food pellets to gravity feed from the hopper to the enclosure. As the food pellets enter the enclosure, they are accelerated by the paddle wheel until an outlet in the enclosure is reached.

Abstract: The present invention is an animal feeder configured to fit in a vehicle such as a small truck so that a single vehicle operator can actuate feed release. The vehicle operator is provided with a lever configuration that controls the opening and closing of a dual door arrangement on the animal feeder. That arrangement is an improvement over prior art systems because it prevents the animal feeder from jamming in an open position which causes a wasteful release of animal feed.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving signals in the form of strikes from fish to control the operation of a scatter-type feeder to feed the fish in response to the fish strikes. The apparatus transforms vibrations of strikes by even the tiniest of fish into electrical signals which may be amplified and analyzed by control circuitry to control the operation of the scatter-type feeder. In operation, the circuitry effectively controls the amount of feed dispensed per batch by the feeder, causes a delay time (a pause) to follow after the dispensation of one batch before it is possible for strike signals to initiate the dispensation of a second batch and requires the strike to be one of a specified magnitude before food is dispensed. Each of these controls is adjustable by knobs on a control box.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding animals comprising a feed storage hopper with a base plate which is adjusted so as to open a space between the base plate and the walls of the hopper. Feed is dispensed through this space in response to the operation of a motor which is attached to the base plate and which is provided with eccentric weights so as to cause vibrations which are transmitted to the base plate and into the walls of the hopper. The motor can be operated by a timer so as to enable the apparatus to deliver precisely measured quantities of feed at a given rate for a selected period of time at predetermined intervals.