Device and feeding system for the automated distribution of free-flowing wild animal feed

Abstract

A device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns, comprising a feeding device and a fastening device, wherein the feeding device is movably coupled to the fastening device, preferably only in one plane, The feeding device comprises a housing arranged on at least one spacer element, the housing comprising a storage area for receiving the wild animal feed, an opening for dispensing the wild animal feed being formed in a housing base of the storage area, and a dispensing element for dispensing wild animal feed from the opening being arranged at the opening. Furthermore, a feeding device is specified.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the automated distribution of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a feeding device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns.

[0003] Hunters in particular feel the need to provide wild animal food at regular intervals and in defined quantities. These are often so-called bait stations, which serve as attractant feeding for wild boars. A bait station for wild boars usually consists of a wooden box (“bait box”) into which the bait, such as corn or acorns, is placed. The wooden box is closed with a lid, which is weighted down with a heavy stone or similar object. This ensures that the wooden box can only be opened by wild boars, as they have sufficient strength to push the stone off the lid so that the lid can be opened. This is essential because, due to hunting regulations, wild animal food may not be made available to any other wild animal species than wild boars, for example.In addition to baiting boxes, there are a variety of other constructions for distributing wild animal food, such as holes in the ground into which the wild animal food is placed and which are then covered with a weighted tree disc.

[0004] To ensure that game regularly visits the bait stations, it is necessary that they are always stocked with wild animal food. Therefore, ideally, a bait station should be checked daily by the hunter and refilled in case the desired wild animals visit it and eat the food.

[0005] Since several feeding stations are usually set up in a hunting area, the daily inspection and, if necessary, refilling of the feeding stations is associated with a considerable amount of time and represents a disturbance for the game. Furthermore, it is important to note that, also for hunting law reasons, often only a limited amount of wild animal food, such as maize, may be placed in a feeding station.

[0006] So-called automatic feeding stations are known in practice, which dispense wild animal feed at specific times over a predetermined range. However, these have the disadvantage that the wild animal feed can be consumed by any wild animal. Furthermore, new feed is dispensed at the programmed time, regardless of whether the wild animal feed has been consumed. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that the specified maximum quantities of feed dispensed will be adhered to. Therefore, the known automatic feeding stations cannot replace the daily inspection of feeding stations.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, which allows for time- and quantity-controlled dispensing using simple structural means, so that a defined amount of feed is automatically dispensed and made available to the desired game species. Furthermore, a feeding device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed is to be provided.

[0008] According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. This claims a device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns, comprising a feeding device and a fastening device, wherein the feeding device is coupled to the fastening device so as to be movable, preferably only in one plane, wherein the feeding device has a housing arranged on at least one spacer element, wherein the housing comprises a storage area for receiving the wild animal feed, wherein an opening for dispensing the wild animal feed is formed in a housing base of the storage area, wherein a dispensing element which can be automatically actuated by a drive unit and is arranged at the opening for dispensing wild animal feed from the opening.

[0009] In accordance with the invention, it was firstly recognized that the underlying problem can be solved in an astonishingly simple manner by dispensing the free-flowing wild animal food through an opening beneath a housing, the housing standing on spacers, thus being raised, on a base. This ensures that the wild animal food is concealed by the housing and thus cannot be ingested by any wild animal. Furthermore, the height of the spacers, i.e. the distance between the opening in the base of the housing and the base, determines the amount of wild animal food that can trickle out of the housing. In a further embodiment of the invention, it was recognized that the dead weight of the feeding device can be selected such that it can only be moved relative to the fastening device and thus removed from the feed pile by sufficiently strong game, in particular a wild boar.This ensures that no other wild animals, such as roe deer, can get to the game feed when baiting a wild boar. The housing can preferably be made of a weather-resistant material. In a particularly advantageous manner, the feeding device can only be movable in one plane relative to the fastening device, thus preventing the feeding device from being turned over or tilted. To ensure automated dispensing, a drive unit is provided in a further manner according to the invention, which drive unit, for example, actuates the dispensing element at defined times so that wild animal feed can trickle through the opening in the housing base onto the ground. Since the storage area can hold enough wild animal feed for several days, it is no longer necessary for a hunter to check or refill the bait every day.For example, there might be enough wild animal food in the storage area for one week, so that the storage area would need to be refilled after one week at the earliest, even if the bait has been used by wild animals every day.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable for the feeding device to have a covering body, for example a hollowed-out tree trunk, the upper side of which is removable or foldable and in which the housing can be inserted or is arranged. The underside of the covering body could be flattened. Furthermore, a dispensing opening corresponding to the opening of the housing can be formed on the underside of the covering body, through which dispensing opening the wild animal food can be dispensed by actuating the dispensing element. Furthermore, with this construction, the at least one spacer element can be formed on the underside of the covering body, so that the housing is arranged indirectly via the covering body on the at least one spacer element.It is also conceivable for the feeding device to be coupled to the fastening device via the enclosure body, preferably only in one plane. Preferably, at least one fastening element, such as an eyelet, can be formed on the enclosure body for this purpose. If, for example, a hollowed-out tree trunk is used as the enclosure body, this has the advantage that the feeding device is not perceived as such by both game and humans. Due to negative experiences, game often reacts cautiously to boxes, whereas a tree trunk is perceived as unsuspected.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing can have a lid that is designed to be lockable. Alternatively or additionally, an upper side of the casing body could be designed to be lockable. Appropriate constructions prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the housing, so that the wild animal feed is not accessible and the other elements of the feeding device are protected from theft. Specifically, a closure, such as a spring lock, could be provided that can be locked with a lock, such as a padlock.

[0012] Advantageously, a flexible protective element can be arranged on the feeding device, in particular on an outer side of the housing base or the enclosing body, at least partially, in particular completely, around the opening of the housing base or the dispensing opening of the enclosing body, thus defining a receiving volume for the wild animal feed. In other words, the flexible protective element can extend essentially cylindrically from the opening of the housing base or the dispensing opening of the enclosing body, so that the side walls of the cylinder, the substrate, and the housing base or the dispensing element or the underside of the enclosing body define a receiving volume for the wild animal feed.The term "flexible" is to be understood in the sense that when the feeding device is moved, the protective element is not rigid but slides over the wild animal feed, so that the feed essentially remains in its original position and can be picked up by the wild animal. For example, the flexible protective element can be realized with a chain mesh or a similar element. Another advantage of the protective element is that the wild animal feed is protected from mice and other small animals.

[0013] In a further advantageous manner, the length of the protective element can correspond at least to the height of the at least one spacer element, so that the free end of the protective element extends at least to a surface on which the feeding device is arranged. This design measure ensures that a closed receiving volume and thus a maximum dispensing amount of wild animal feed is defined, and that this feed is protected from small animals, such as mice.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one spacer element can be designed as a runner. It is important that the spacer element, on the one hand, ensures that the housing base of the feeding device is arranged at the desired height relative to the ground, and, on the other hand, enables the feeding device to be moved along the ground by sufficiently strong game. A runner-shaped design has the advantage of preventing the feeding device from getting caught during movement. Alternatively, the spacer element could also comprise a wheel. It is also conceivable for the spacer element to be fixedly arranged on the ground and for the feeding device to be movable along the spacer element, for example a rail. The spacer element therefore does not necessarily have to be firmly connected to the housing.

[0015] Advantageously, the drive unit can have a power source, for example a battery, and a linear drive or a rotary drive. A linear drive makes it possible to move a dispensing element, for example a closure plate, in front of the opening or away from the opening in order to enable the feed to be dispensed through the opening. It is advantageous if the linear drive is sufficiently powerful that any wild animal feed that becomes trapped during movement of the dispensing element can be crushed by the dispensing element in order to ensure that the opening is completely closed or opened. The rotary drive could, for example, be a DC gear motor that rotates the dispensing element via a mechanism, in particular gear wheels. The dispensing element could be designed as a plate that has a recess, in particular in the shape of a circular segment.In the resting position, the opening in the base of the container's housing could be completely covered by the plate-shaped dispensing element. When the rotary drive is activated, the plate begins to rotate, causing the recess in the plate to move towards the opening in the base of the housing. As soon as the recess moves over the opening, wild animal food can trickle out from the storage area. As the plate continues to rotate, the opening is closed again. Additionally, it is conceivable that the plate activates a pressure switch that breaks the circuit and stops the motor once the opening is closed again. Here, too, it is advantageous to choose a sufficiently powerful drive so that any trapped food is chopped up. A rotary drive, for example a motor, could also be used to operate a dispensing element designed as a conveyor screw.The screw conveyor could transport the feed, particularly through a pipe, to the opening in the housing base. If a pile of wild animal feed is located below the opening, the screw conveyor transports the feed back to the storage area. Thus, the screw conveyor serves both to dispense and to close the opening. Overall, it is conceivable and advantageous for the dispensing element to be designed as a closure plate or as a screw conveyor.

[0016] In a further advantageous manner, the drive unit can have a timer and / or the drive unit can have a vibration sensor and a delay switch. The timer can be used to activate the dispensing element at defined times via the drive unit, for example once a day. Alternatively or additionally, a delay switch (time relay) could be provided, which is combined with a vibration sensor. If the feeding device is moved by the game, the vibration sensor switches the delay switch, which in turn activates the power supply of the relay after a preset time delay, for example several hours. Thus, the slider is not moved at preset intervals, but only when the container has been moved by game.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one side wall of the storage area can be designed to taper toward the opening. This allows the free-flowing wild animal feed to be transported by gravity toward the opening in the housing base. In particular, it is conceivable for all side walls of the storage area to taper toward the opening or be inclined accordingly.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous manner, the feeding device, in particular the housing and / or the enclosing body, and the fastening device can have fastening elements that correspond to one another, so that the feeding device can only be moved in one plane relative to the fastening device. For example, eyelets could be formed on the feeding device, which are coupled to door hinges or corresponding fittings of the fastening device. This makes it possible for the feeding device to be rotatable relative to the fastening device. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the fastening elements to enable the feeding device to be displaced at least essentially linearly relative to the fastening device. For example, the feeding device could have eyelets in which an elongated fastening element of the fastening device is guided, for example a rod, a wire or the like.This makes it possible for the feeding device to be movable along the elongate fastening element, wherein preferably lifting or movement outside the plane defined by the elongate fastening element is not possible.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fastening device can have a ground spike or any other construction with which the fastening device can be arranged in a fixed location, for example in the ground, on a tree, etc. It is also conceivable that the fastening device is formed by the fastening elements as such, for example by door hinges or corresponding fittings which can be fastened to a tree or the like.

[0020] Furthermore, it is conceivable that a storage device for game contact times is provided. This can have appropriate sensors for detecting game and / or movement of the feeding device, and can be designed to be readable, and / or have a display device on which the game contact times can be displayed. It is also conceivable that the device is monitored by a nearby game camera. The game camera can be used to document the times at which game visits the feeding device.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the feeding device could have a communication device via which contact with game at the feeding device is indicated in real time, for example by means of a mobile radio communication.

[0022] With regard to the feeding device, the underlying problem is solved by the features of claim 12. This claims a feeding device, in particular for a device according to one of claims 1 to 11, for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns, wherein the feeding device can be movably coupled to a fastening device, with a housing arranged on at least one spacer element, which housing comprises a storage area for receiving the wild animal feed, wherein an opening for dispensing the wild animal feed is formed in a housing base of the storage area, and wherein a dispensing element which can be automatically actuated by a drive unit is arranged at the opening for dispensing wild animal feed from the opening.

[0023] In a further advantageous manner, the feeding device can comprise a casing body, for example, a hollowed-out tree trunk, in which the housing is arranged. It is conceivable for the casing body to have a dispensing opening on its underside that corresponds to the opening of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one spacer element can be formed on the underside of the casing body and / or at least one fastening element can be arranged on the casing body.

[0024] It is pointed out that the feeding device according to claim 12 can have all the features and advantages disclosed with regard to the feeding device of the device according to the invention in the preceding description, the following description of the figures and the dependent claims.

[0025] There are now various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 3 in a schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 4 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 5 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 6 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 7 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 8 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 9 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 10 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 11 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, Fig. 12 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, and Fig. 13 in a further schematic representation the feeding device of the device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

[0026] In the drawing, identical components or elements each have the same reference symbol, although for the sake of clarity, not every element or component is provided with a reference symbol in every figure.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed. The device 1 has a feeding device 2, which is movably arranged on a fastening device 3. For this purpose, fastening elements 4 are provided on the feeding device 2, which are designed to correspond to fastening elements 5 of the fastening device 3. In the embodiment shown here, the fastening elements 4 are realized as eyelets into which the fastening elements 5 designed as door hinges engage. Other designs of the fastening elements 4, 5 are also conceivable. Furthermore, the fastening device 3 comprises a ground spike 6, on which the fastening elements 5 are arranged.

[0028] Due to the design of the fastening elements 4, 5, the feeding device 2 can be moved or pivoted at least essentially only in one plane relative to the fastening device 3 and, in particular, cannot be lifted or tipped over. Furthermore, due to the weight of the feeding device 2, only sufficiently strong game, especially wild boar, can move the feeding device 2.

[0029] A detailed description of a possible design of the feeding device 2 can be found in the following description of the Fig. 3 to 13.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. This essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, so reference is made to the relevant description. The essential difference is that the fastening elements 5 of the fastening device 3 are fixed to a tree. Thus, the fastening device 3 is formed solely by the fastening elements 5. It should also be noted here that the fastening elements 4, 5 may have other designs.

[0031] The Fig. 3 to 13 show an embodiment of a feeding device 2 as used in a device according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 can be trained.

[0032] The feeding device 2 has two spacer elements 7 arranged on a housing 8. The spacer elements 7 are skid-shaped, although this is not necessarily the case. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the spacer elements 7 to be formed integrally with the housing 8. The housing 8 can be weather-resistant and comprises a removable or openable lid 9 with a closure 10 and hinges 11, although an embodiment without hinges 11 is also conceivable, so that the lid 9 is removable in its entirety. A storage area 12 for holding wild animal food, in particular corn or acorns, is provided within the housing 8.

[0033] In the embodiment shown here, the side walls 13 of the storage area 14 are designed to taper towards an opening 16 provided in the housing base 15. It is also possible to design none or not all of the side walls 13 to taper accordingly. A dispensing element 17 is arranged at the opening 16, which in the embodiment shown here is implemented as a closure plate 18, which is moved by a drive unit 19 between a closed position (cf. Fig. 8) and an open position (cf. Fig. 11) can be moved back and forth.

[0034] When the closure plate 18 is in the open position, wild animal food can trickle out of the housing 8 through the opening 16 and under the housing base 15. The wild animal food is thus concealed by the feeding device 2 and can only be ingested by game when the feeding device 2 is moved, for which the game must be sufficiently strong. If wild animal food is already located under the housing 8, for example because it has not been ingested, no or only an insignificant amount of wild animal food can "trickle down" when the opening 16 is opened again. This makes it astonishingly simple to dispense only the maximum permissible amount of wild animal food.

[0035] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows that a flexible protective element 20 is attached to the outside of the housing base 15 or the housing 8, which runs around the opening 16 and extends to the ground on which the feeding device 2 stands. This defines a volume and thus the maximum amount of wild animal feed that can be dispensed, while simultaneously protecting the wild animal feed from mice and similar animals. In the embodiment shown here, the flexible protective element 20 is formed by a chain mesh, although other constructions are also conceivable. It is essential that the wild animal feed slides under the flexible protective element 20 when the feeding device 2 is moved.

[0036] Especially in the Fig.11 to 13 show the drive unit 19 of the closure plate 18. This is provided in a drive area 21 of the housing 8, although this is not necessarily the case. The drive unit 19 has a power source 22, for example a battery or accumulator, and a drive 23, in particular a linear drive, for moving the closure plate 18. Furthermore, a timer 24 can be provided so that at a predetermined time, the closure plate 18 is automatically moved into an open state for a predetermined period of time. This allows wild animal food to fall out of the housing base 15 before it is moved back into the closed position.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that a vibration sensor and a delay switch are provided so that the closure plate 18 is briefly moved into the open position within a defined period of time after a movement of the feeding device 2 detected by the vibration sensor in order to dispense wild animal food.

[0037] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0038] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention and the feeding device according to the invention serve only to explain the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the embodiments. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 feeding device 3 Fastening device 4 fastening elements (feeding device) 5 Fastening elements (fastening device) 6 ground spike 7 Spacer element 8 housings 9 lids 10 Closure 11 Hinge 12 Storage area 13 Side wall 14 Storage area 15 Case back 16 Opening 17 Dispensing element 18 locking plate 19 Drive unit 20 protective element 21 Drive range 22 Energy source 23 Drive 24 timer

Claims

[1] Device for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular maize or acorns, with a feeding device and a fastening device, wherein the feeding device is movably coupled to the fastening device, preferably only in one plane, wherein the feeding device has a housing arranged on at least one spacer element, wherein the housing comprises a storage area for receiving the wild animal feed, wherein an opening for dispensing the wild animal feed is formed in a housing base of the storage area, wherein a dispensing element which can be automatically actuated by a drive unit is arranged at the opening for dispensing wild animal feed from the opening. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat a flexible protective element, preferably a chain mesh, is arranged on the feeding device, in particular on an outer side of the housing base, at least partially, in particular completely, around the opening, and thus defines a receiving volume for the wild animal feed. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the length of the protective element corresponds at least to the height of the at least one spacer element, so that the free end of the protective element extends at least to a base on which the feeding device is arranged. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one spacer element is designed as a runner. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the drive unit has an energy source, for example a battery, and a linear drive or a rotary drive. [6] Device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the drive unit has a timer and / or that the drive unit has a shock sensor and a delay switch. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the dispensing element is designed as a closure plate. [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the discharge element is designed as a conveyor screw. [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that at least one side wall of the storage area is designed to taper towards the opening. [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the feeding device and the fastening device have fastening elements corresponding to one another, so that the feeding device is only movable in one plane relative to the fastening device, preferably rotatable and / or at least substantially linearly displaceable relative to the fastening device. [11] Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the fastening device has a ground spike. [12] Feeding device, in particular for a device according to one of claims 1 to 11, for the automated dispensing of free-flowing wild animal feed, in particular corn or acorns, wherein the feeding device can be movably coupled to a fastening device, with a housing arranged on at least one spacer element, which housing comprises a storage area for receiving the wild animal feed, wherein an opening for dispensing the wild animal feed is formed in a housing base of the storage area, and wherein a dispensing element which can be automatically actuated by a drive unit is arranged at the opening for dispensing wild animal feed from the opening.

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