Elevated Block Support With Adjustable Pins for Animal Feed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for holding animal consumable substances, such as food and medicines, are prone to being consumed by unintended animals, covered by debris, and susceptible to water saturation and mold growth when placed on the ground.
Innovation Solution
An elevator support system that holds blocks of consumable substances at a selected height above ground level, using a configurable body with removable pins to secure items of varying sizes and shapes, preventing access by non-target animals and reducing exposure to moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If consumable substances are placed on the ground or in a readily accessible container, then animals can easily access the material, but the material becomes accessible to unintended animals (vermin) and is covered by snow or debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent elevates the consumable substance from ground level to an elevated platform positioned between 18-36 inches above ground. This dimensional change in vertical space prevents ground-dwelling vermin and snow/debris from accessing the material while maintaining accessibility for intended animals that can reach the elevated position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (elevator support system with platform) that mediates between the consumable substance and the environment. This intermediary platform selectively allows access to intended animals while blocking unintended animals and environmental contaminants, solving the accessibility conflict.
2Ease of operation
If consumable substances are placed on the ground, then they are easily accessible, but the material becomes wet, dissolves, and grows mold or bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the consumable substance on an elevated platform 18-36 inches above ground level, the system removes the material from direct contact with ground moisture, preventing wetting, dissolution, and microbial growth while preserving animal accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevated platform serves as an intermediary structure that isolates the consumable substance from harmful ground-level moisture and environmental factors, thereby protecting material stability and preventing degradation.
3Reliability
If a fixed container is used to hold consumable substances, then the material is protected from ground contact, but the container cannot accommodate blocks of differing sizes or blocks that decrease in size as consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable support pins that can be repositioned along the platform to dynamically adapt to different block sizes. As the consumable block decreases in size during consumption, the pins can be adjusted to maintain proper support and positioning, providing both protection and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into multiple adjustable components (support pins positioned at different locations) rather than a single fixed structure. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to various block sizes by engaging different pin positions, maintaining both protection and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator support (10) for holding a block (16) of an animal consumable substance includes a body (22). The body includes a central hub (24) and a plurality of radially outward extending arms (26). A ground face side (32) of the body includes a recess (36) or a projection (112) for engaging the body with a top of a vertically extending post (40, 120). The body is positioned above ground level (12) at a height that is appropriate for the animals that are to consume the substance. The body includes a plurality of spaced apertures (46). A plurality of pins (56) are selectively locatable in the apertures for purposes of holding various sizes and configurations of blocks of animal consumable material in intermediate relation of the pins and in supported relation on the body.