RU232777U1 - Automatic feeder for squirrels, birds and other small animals - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to technical means used for feeding small animals and birds in their natural habitat within populated areas. An automatic feeder for squirrels and birds consists of two interconnected compartments for feeding animals and storing feed, as well as built-in remote video surveillance systems and portioned feed supply to animals. The feed storage compartment is designed to prevent free access of the animal to the feed. The built-in remote video surveillance systems and portioned feed supply to animals are designed to control the feed supply to animals. The technical result of the utility model is to provide the ability to feed small animals and birds in their natural habitat and to remotely monitor the behavior of such animals and birds. 2 fig.

Description

The utility model (hereinafter referred to as the Feeder) belongs to the category of “feeders for livestock and wild animals”, in particular to technical means used for feeding small animals, such as squirrels, etc., and birds in their natural habitat within populated areas (city parks, forest parks, gardens and similar places, including private territories) and is not intended for use in a wild, unimproved environment.

From the prior art, various types of systems for feeding animals kept at home or in natural habitats are known, with the possibility of feeding both dry and wet (soft) animal feed. The feed (both dry and wet) is placed in a separate compartment, access to which is available to the corresponding animal, bird.

For example, everyone knows the simplest devices designed for feeding small animals and birds in their natural habitat in places that provide unhindered access for small animals and birds and exclude access for predatory animals (hanging on trees and other elevated areas).

At the same time, such devices are easy to manufacture and do not require power supply and/or other additional technical means. The disadvantage of such devices is the lack of the ability to constantly monitor the availability of feed in sufficient quantities and the ability to observe animals.

There are different types and shapes of feeders, in particular:

- patent for the invention “bird feeder” No. 1748766, author: N.M. Polyakov;

- patent for the invention “bird feeder” No. 1034674, author B.S. Korovay;

- patent for the invention "feeder for small animals" No. 330841, author: R.S. Ryzhov; The closest to the claimed utility model (in terms of operating principle, purpose, etc.) can be called the following: "animal feeding system", patent for invention No. 2695444, registration date 07/23/2019, Patent validity period start date: 06/23/2015.

The task, which the claimed technical solution is aimed at solving, is as follows: providing the possibility of feeding small animals (squirrels, etc.) and birds in their natural habitat and at the same time the possibility of observing the behavior of such animals, birds remotely. The claimed utility model expands the possibilities of observing the behavior of wild animals and birds and allows any person to be involved in observing and studying the habits of the corresponding species of animal, bird through a built-in system of remote video surveillance and feeding without personal presence.

This task is achieved through the use of a well-thought-out design of the declared device, which allows protecting feed from precipitation, while leaving it (the feed) available for animals (squirrels, etc.) and birds, as well as a unique system for managing feeding and monitoring animals and birds.

The utility model has the following structure:

The feeder has the following dimensions: height - 1200 mm; length - 940 mm; width of the upper part of the feeder - 480 mm.

The feeder consists of two sections located one above the other and including feed supply control mechanisms, namely:

1. Storage (upper compartment): is a compartment in which several types of feed are stored. The compartment is made of opaque moisture-proof material (usually moisture-proof plywood or other similar material), which excludes direct access of the animal and/or bird to the feed. At the same time, this compartment is equipped with a device that allows for timely monitoring and replenishment of the feed stock stored in it.

This compartment is also equipped with a device of our own production, which measures the weight and delivers the type and quantity (weight) of feed selected by the user to the second compartment in the selected quantity.

2. Feeding Compartment (Lower Compartment): The transparent part of the Feeder that a bird, squirrel, or other animal for which the feeder is intended can enter.

The "Storage" section (upper section) and the "feeding (lower)" section are connected to each other in a single structure. The feed is supplied by a special device for portioned feed delivery from the upper section to the lower section. After the feed is supplied to the Lower section, the opening is closed, which prevents small animals and birds of any size from accessing the storage.

3. Compartment for the feeder cleaning mechanism: is an integral part of the Storage (upper compartment), made of opaque moisture-proof material (usually moisture-proof plywood or other similar material), excluding direct access of the animal and/or bird to the feed. Designed for automatic cleaning of the Lower compartment of the feeder from shells and husks of seeds.

4. Containers for different types of feed: are an integral part of the Storage (upper compartment), made of opaque moisture-proof material (usually moisture-proof plywood or other similar material) and moisture-proof fabric. The containers are designed to store different types of bulk feed for squirrels, birds and other small animals.

5. Control board for the mechanism that pours feed into the "Feeding" Compartment (lower compartment): an electronic control board that ensures the proper functioning of the feed feeding (pouring) mechanism from the Storage (upper compartment) into the "Feeding" Compartment (lower compartment). The board controls the mechanism using a pre-installed computer program. The board's program is initialized upon receipt of a response to a get request in the form of a command to execute the User's order, generated via a website on the Internet.

6. Feeding mechanism: a mechanical system controlled by the above Control Board, designed to feed (pour) the amount of feed set by the User into the “Feeding” Compartment by opening/closing

7. Feeder Cleaning Mechanism Control Board: An electronic control board that ensures the proper functioning of the feeder cleaning mechanism located in the corresponding compartment.

The electronic components are powered via an external step-down transformer. The transformer is installed separately.

The Feeder is controlled by a special computer program recorded on the control board, a mechanism that pours food into the “feeding” compartment (lower compartment) and a program that transmits a request from the User via a website on the Internet.

On the website, the user selects the type and weight of feed that he wants to add to the "feeding" compartment, accessible to animals and birds. The amount and type of feed selected by the user are fed by the Feed Feeding Mechanism, controlled by the control board (item 5), from the "Storage" compartment (upper compartment) to the "Feeding" compartment (lower compartment) and become accessible to any animal or bird.

The 24-hour video surveillance system allows the user to monitor the process of feeding the selected feed from the Storage compartment to the Feeding compartment, as well as the behavior of the animal or bird during feeding. If the animal or bird is absent at the time of feeding, the 24-hour video surveillance system, which records what is happening in the device, allows the user to watch the process of feeding the animal and/or bird in a recording accessible via the website on the Internet.

The feeder is installed in an area inaccessible to the user, excluding direct contact with the animal or bird.

Thus, this device allows the user to observe the process of feeding an animal in its natural habitat remotely, eliminating direct contact between humans and animals and the risk of frightening the animal, while maintaining the ability to observe the animal.

Claims (2)

1. An automatic feeder for squirrels and birds, characterized in that it consists of two interconnected compartments: a compartment for feeding animals and a compartment for storing food, designed with the ability to exclude free access of the animal to the food, and built-in systems for remote video surveillance and portioned feeding of food to animals, designed with the ability to control the feeding of food to animals. 2. An automatic feeder according to item 1, characterized in that the compartment for feeding animals and the compartment for storing feed are separated by a wall containing a built-in device for portioned feed dispensing and designed to prevent the animal from entering the compartment for storing feed.

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