Elevated Feeder Platform with Spike Fence for Hog Deterrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wildlife feeders face the challenge of scavenging by wild hogs and other animals, which disrupt the feeding process and prevent effective dispensing of animal feed intended for deer and other wildlife.
Innovation Solution
A feeder assembly with an elevated stand platform and a stand fence featuring spaced-apart, upward-standing fence spikes that deter wild hogs and other scavenging animals from accessing the feed by preventing them from landing on the platform, thereby protecting the feed from collapse and scavenging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feeder is placed on the ground for easy access, then animals can easily reach the feed, but scavenging animals like wild hogs can also access and disrupt the feed
Solution Approach 1:
The solution elevates the feeder from ground level to a raised platform supported by legs, changing the vertical dimension of feed accessibility. This allows targeted wildlife to access feed at the elevated level while preventing ground-based scavengers like wild hogs from reaching and disrupting the feed.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates localized features including a moat or trench surrounding its base and spike protrusions on the platform surface. These localized modifications create specific zones that deter scavenging animals through physical barriers and uncomfortable standing surfaces, while maintaining feed accessibility for intended wildlife.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the feeder is elevated to prevent scavenging animals, then wild hogs cannot access the feed, but it becomes more difficult for wildlife to reach
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder is elevated to a specific height that creates a dimensional barrier for ground-based scavengers while remaining accessible to wildlife capable of reaching the elevated platform. The elevation strategy balances protection needs with wildlife accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates localized features including a moat or trench surrounding its base and spike protrusions on the platform surface. These localized modifications provide targeted deterrence to scavenging animals attempting to approach or stand on the platform, while maintaining open access areas for intended wildlife to consume feed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fence with spikes is added to deter scavenging animals, then wild hogs are prevented from landing on the platform, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than enclosing the entire platform with a complex fence structure, spike protrusions are localized to specific areas of the platform where scavenging animals would attempt to land or stand. This localized approach provides effective deterrence while minimizing overall structural complexity and material requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective barrier is segmented into discrete spike elements distributed across the platform surface, rather than implementing a continuous enclosed fence. This segmentation reduces material requirements and structural complexity while maintaining effective deterrence through multiple distributed contact points.
Data Source
AI summary
A scavenging animal deterring feeder assembly may include a feeder support stand having an elevated stand platform and a stand fence having a plurality of spaced-apart, upward-standing fence spikes carried by the stand platform. A feed-dispensing wildlife feeder may be supported by the stand platform of the feeder support stand and at least partially enclosed by the stand fence. Accordingly, the stand fence deters a wild hog or other scavenging animal from landing its front paws onto the stand platform and collapsing the stand platform in an attempt to access the animal feed in the wildlife feeder.