US4279219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light responsive animal actuated apparatus
Assignee: SELECTIVE FEEDER Co
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Filing: 1979-10-26
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 1999-10-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to automatic animal actuated apparatus, such as a power operated feeder, wherein an actuator worn by the animal is employed to control light sensing means operatively associated with the servicing apparatus. Interrogation means adjacent an animal station utilizes a plurality of light sensing devices oriented in a predetermined manner to magnetic orientation means. An actuator worn by the animal contains orientation means of a magnetic type for permitting predetermined orientation of the actuator to the interrogation light sensing devices, and a coded light transmitting pattern defined upon the actuator permits interrogation of the actuator by the passage of light therethrough to control the servicing apparatus in the desired manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Cletus A. Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K11/00; A01K11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A radient energy responsive animal actuated apparatus including animal servicing apparatus, an animal station adjacent said servicing apparatus, and control means controlling operation of said servicing apparatus, the improvment comprising, said control means including radiant energy sensing interrogation means, said interrogation means including a plurality of radiant energy sensing devices located adacent the animal station, a control means actuator worn by the animal to be serviced, said actuator comprising a radiant energy opaque member, at least one radiant energy transmitting window defined in said opaque member, enabling means defined upon said actuator enabling said control means to sense the interpret said actuator upon said actuator being oriented adjacent and relative to said interrogation means in a predetermined manner, and cooperating orientation means defined upon said interrogation means and said actuator orienting said actuator relative to said interrogation means upon said actuator being brought into proximity of said interrogation means by the animal to be serviced whereby said window selectively regulates the exposure of said radiant energy sensing devices to radiant energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A radient energy responsive animal actuated apparatus including animal servicing apparatus, an animal station adjacent said servicing apparatus, and control means controlling operation of said servicing apparatus, the improvment comprising, said control means including radiant energy sensing interrogation means, said interrogation means including a plurality of radiant energy sensing devices located adacent the animal station, a control means actuator worn by the animal to be serviced, said actuator comprising a radiant energy opaque member, at least one radiant energy transmitting window defined in said opaque member, enabling means defined upon said actuator enabling said control means to sense the interpret said actuator upon said actuator being oriented adjacent and relative to said interrogation means in a predetermined manner, and cooperating orientation means defined upon said interrogation means and said actuator orienting said actuator relative to said interrogation means upon said actuator being brought into proximity of said interrogation means by the animal to be serviced whereby said window selectively regulates the exposure of said radiant energy sensing devices to radiant energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said radiant energy sensing devices comprise photoelectric cells, said actuator comprises a plate attached to an animal necklace and said window is defined by an opening formed in said plate adapted to align with a predetermined radiant energy sensing device upon said plate being oriented relative to said interrogation means in said predetermined manner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said plate includes an edge, said opening comprising a notch defined in said edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 3, a plurality of notches defined in said plate edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 2, a radiant energy source mounted adjacent said interrogation means adapted to introduce radiant energy into said radiant energy sensing devices, said actuator being located between said radiant energy source and radiant energy sensing devices upon being oriented adjacent said interrogation means in said pedetermined manner
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said actuator member is formed of nonmagnetic material, said orientation means comprising a first magnetic element mounted on said interrogation means and a second magnetic element mounted on said actuator, at least one of said elements comprising a permanant magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 6 wherein each of said elements comprise permanent magnets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
In radiant energy responsive animal actuated apparatus as in claim 7 wherein each of said elements comprise an elongated permanent bar magnet having ends of opposite polarity, the poles of said magnets being arranged on the associated interrogation member and actuator such that opposite poles of said magnet engage to produce the desired orientation of said interrogation and actuator members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A actuator for an animal actuated apparatus adapted to be worn by the animal to be serviced comprising, in combination, an actuator body, information means defined upon said actuator body, and orientation means defined on said actuator body for orienting said actuator body to interrogation means, said information means being located upon said actuator body at a predetermined location relative to said orientation means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A actuator for an animal actuated apparatus adapted to be worn by the animal to be serviced comprising, in combination, an actuator body, information means defined upon said actuator body, and orientation means defined on said actuator body for orienting said actuator body to interrogation means, said information means being located upon said actuator body at a predetermined location relative to said orientation means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
In an actuator as in claim 9, said orientation means comprising a permanent magnet having poles of opposite polarity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
In an actuator as in claim 9, said information means comprising a radiant energy opaque member having at least one radiant energy transmitting window defined therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
In an actuator as in claim 11, a necklace attached to said radiant energy opaque member for suspending said member from the neck of the animal to be serviced, said member having an edge, said window comprising a notch defined in said member intersecting said edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, information interrogation means mounted adjacent said access opening controlling operation of said feed transfer means, an actuator worn by the animal to be fed, information means defined upon said actuator adapted to be interpreted by said interrogation means upon said actuator being disposed adjacent said interrogation means, and mutually cooperating orientation means located adjacent said interrogation means and upon said actuator orientating said actuator relative to said interrogation means in a predetermined manner upon said actuator being brought into proximity to said interrogation means by the animal to be fed permitting interpretation of said information means by said interrogation means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
138 words
A selective animal feeder system comprising, in combination, a feed container, a feed trough having an access opening, electrically energized feed transfer means selectively transferring feed from said container to said trough during energization of said transfer means, information interrogation means mounted adjacent said access opening controlling operation of said feed transfer means, an actuator worn by the animal to be fed, information means defined upon said actuator adapted to be interpreted by said interrogation means upon said actuator being disposed adjacent said interrogation means, and mutually cooperating orientation means located adjacent said interrogation means and upon said actuator orientating said actuator relative to said interrogation means in a predetermined manner upon said actuator being brought into proximity to said interrogation means by the animal to be fed permitting interpretation of said information means by said interrogation means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a selective animal feeder system as in claim 13, wherein said orientation means comprises a first permanent magnet mounted adjacent said access opening and a second permanent magnet mounted upon said actuator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |