Variably controlled lighting mechanism for feeders

• US 10,321,545 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: All Seasons Feeders Limited
• Original Assignee: All Seasons Feeders Limited
• Inventors: Gates, Zach
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US15/461,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20170188440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/01 Feed troughs; Feed pails A01K1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/02 Automatic devices automatic identification devices for stock A01K11/006
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/008 Lure dispensing devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/023 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A variably controlled lighting mechanism, sometimes referenced as a hog light, may be attached to the underside of a feeder and used in non-daylight hours to provide selective illumination through more than one color of LED light that may be inset within the hog light. The hog light may include one or more sensors that may be triggered based on motion by animals within the vicinity of the hog light. The hog light may then turn on and stay lit for a specified length of time or until no further movement is detected. A wireless remote may include a series of inputs that may control various aspects of the hog light, particularly to illuminate the different LED lights that are integrated within the hog light, as well as to control the motor and/or feeder. The hog light also may be manually operated to selectively illuminate the different LED lights.

Claims

1. A hog light attached to the underside of a feeder, the hog light comprising:

a plurality of different light emitting devices (LEDs) inset within the hog light, wherein the light from the plurality of different LEDs is dispersed and focused toward the ground at an angle of approximately 110 degrees to provide selective illumination of animals approaching the feeder; and

at least one sensor being triggered based on motion by animals within a specified area around the hog light, wherein the plurality of different LEDS turn on after the at least one sensor is triggered.

2. The hog light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different LEDS stay lit for a specified length of time after the at least one sensor is triggered.

3. The hog light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different LEDs stay lit until no further movement is detected by the at least one sensor.

4. The hog light of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one input to manually operate the hog light to selectively illuminate the plurality of different LEDs.

5. The hog light of claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless remote including a series of inputs that control illumination of the plurality of different LEDs.

6. The hog light of claim 5, wherein the series of inputs are selected from the group comprising:

turning a motor on and off, turning the feeder on and off, selectively illuminating and extinguishing a single color of LED light, and selectively illuminating and extinguishing more than one color of LED light.

7. The hog light of claim 5, wherein each of the series of inputs are selected from the group comprising:

multi-function, three-channel function, and single function.

8. The hog light of claim 1, the wireless remote further comprising:

a built-in LED flashlight.

9. The hog light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different LEDs provide more than one color of LED light.

10. The hog light of claim 9, wherein the more than one color of LED light is green and red.

11. The hog light of claim 1, wherein the light from the plurality of LEDs is green.

12. The hog light of claim 1, wherein the hog light responds to more than one operational mode.

13. The hog light of claim 12, wherein the more than one operational mode is a specified run time and a continuous run time.

14. The hog light of claim 1 further comprising:

a “

slow on”

mechanism to selectively brighten the plurality of different LEDs over a specified period of time.

15. The hog light of claim 1 further comprising:

a timer that automatically turns the plurality of different LEDs on and off after a specified period of time.

16. A variably controlled lighting mechanism attached to a control unit on the underside of a feeder, the mechanism comprising:

one or more sensors being triggered based on motion by animals within a specified area around the variably controlled lighting mechanism; and

a plurality of light emitting devices (LEDs) integrated within the variably controlled lighting mechanism,

wherein the plurality of LEDs turn on after the one or more sensors are triggered, and

wherein the variably controlled lighting mechanism is flush against the control unit to avoid a person from being blinded by the plurality of LEDs when looking at animals roaming below the underside of the feeder where the variably controlled lighting mechanism is placed.

17. The variably controlled lighting mechanism of claim 16, wherein the plurality of LEDs stay lit for a specified length of time after the one or more sensors are triggered.

18. The variably controlled lighting mechanism of claim 16, wherein the plurality of LEDs stay lit until no further movement is detected by the one or more sensors.

19. The lighting mechanism of claim 16, wherein the control unit has a punch out to receive the variably controlled lighting mechanism.

20. The lighting mechanism of claim 16, wherein the plurality of LEDs are inset so that light is dispersed and focused towards the ground at approximately 110 degrees.