Species specific feeder

• US 9,295,225 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harold G. Monk
• Original Assignee: Harold G. Monk
• Inventors: Monk, Harold G, Lewis, Jeffrey R
• Primary Examiner(s): ALKER, KATHLEEN IWASAKI
• Application Number:
  US13/833,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 119/51.01, 119/51.02, 119/51.11, 119/52.4, 119/57.1, 119/57.92
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0142 with means for preventing other animals or insects from eating
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0225 Gravity replenishment from a reserve, e.g. a hopper for poultry A01K39/012
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/025 with doors or lids activated by the animals to access feeding place or trough
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0258 with endless screws
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0275 with mechanisms for delivery of measured doses A01K5/0233 takes precedence

Abstract

Animal feeders useful in feeding particular groups of animals are disclosed. Animal feeders described herein may, for example, include an electrically conductive exterior structure; a door; a door lock; a species recognition device; and an electric shock deterrent. Methods of feeding animals utilizing an electric shock deterrent are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An animal feeder comprising:

a. an electrically conductive exterior structure;

b. a door;

c. a door lock;

d. a species recognition device; and

e. an electric shock deterrent;

f. wherein the electrically conductive exterior structure is electrically connected to the electric shock deterrent;

g. wherein the species recognition device is configured to recognize a species of animal by audio or video;

h. wherein the electrically conductive exterior structure is configured to deliver an electric shock from the electric shock deterrent when the species recognition device does not recognize the species of animal; and

i. wherein the door is configured to open in response to the recognition of the species of animal by the species recognition device.

2. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the door lock is arranged and configured to respond to an output from the species recognition device.

3. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the electric shock deterrent is arranged and configured to respond to an output from the species recognition device.

4. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the electric shock deterrent is arranged and configured to deactivate in response to the presence of the species of animal.

5. The animal feeder of claim 4 wherein the species of animal is a member of a class selected from wild boar, deer, bears, bats, raccoons, and pigeons.

6. The animal feeder of claim 4 wherein the species of animal wild boar.

7. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the electric shock deterrent is arranged and configured to reactivate after a period of time in which there is no recognition of the species of animal.

8. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the door lock is arranged and configured to unlock in response to the presence of the species of animal.

9. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the door is arranged and configured to close after a period of time in which the species of animal is not detected.

10. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the species recognition device is a device capable of recognizing sounds unique to the species of animal.

11. The animal feeder of claim 1 further comprising an intermittent feed dispenser.

12. The animal feeder of claim 1 further comprising a population controlling feed.

13. The animal feeder of claim 1 further comprising a microphone in communication with the species recognition device wherein the species recognition device is a sound recognition component configured to identify a species specific sound.

14. The animal feeder of claim 1 further comprising a video detector in communication with the species recognition device wherein the species recognition device is a video recognition component configured to identify a species specific image.

15. An animal feeder comprising:

a. an electrically conductive exterior structure;

b. a door;

c. a detector selected from a microphone and a video detector;

d. a species recognition device selected from a sound recognition component configured to identify a species specific sound and a video recognition component configured to identify a species specific image; and

e. an electric shock deterrent;

f. wherein the detector is in communication with the species recognition device;

g. wherein the electrically conductive exterior structure is electrically connected to the electric shock deterrent;

h. wherein the species specific sound is a sound of an animal species;

i. wherein the species specific image is an image of the animal species;

j. wherein the electrically conductive exterior structure is configured to deliver an electric shock from the electric shock deterrent when the species recognition device does not recognize the animal species; and

k. wherein the door is configured to open in response to the recognition of the animal species by the species recognition device.