Poultry feeder

Abstract

A feeder assembly includes a pan member and a drop tube assembly operatively associated with the pan member for providing feed to the pan member. The pan member has a base portion and an upstanding portion. The upstanding portion has a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to the base portion of the pan member without adjusting the feeder assembly. The upstanding portion also has an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of said pan member. The varying top and outward side surfaces may also alternatively be provided for on a rim member which surrounds and is secured to the pan member.

1 . A feeder assembly comprising: 
 a pan member for presenting feed to poultry, said pan member having a base portion and an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion having a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to said base portion of said pan member without adjusting said feeder assembly; and    a drop tube assembly which is operatively associated with said pan member for providing feed to said pan member.    
   
   
       2 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface of said upstanding portion is provided at both a first height of approximately two and a half (2.5) inches relative to said base portion of said pan member and a second height of approximately three (3.0) inches relative to said base portion of said pan member.  
   
   
       3 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface of said upstanding portion is formed from a plurality of peak and valley portions.  
   
   
       4 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said upstanding portion has an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of said pan member;  
   
   
       5 . A feeder assembly comprising: 
 a pan member having a base portion in which feed is retained and presented;    a rim member which surrounds and is secured to said pan member, said rim member having a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to said base portion of said pan member without adjusting said feeder assembly; and    a drop tube assembly which is operatively associated with said pan member for providing feed to said pan member.    
   
   
       6 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said top surface of said rim member is formed from a plurality of peak and valley portions.  
   
   
       7 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said rim member has an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of said pan member.  
   
   
       8 . A feeder assembly comprising: 
 a pan member in which feed is retained and presented, said pan member having a base portion and an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion being configured to have an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of said pan member; and    a drop tube assembly which is operatively associated with said pan member for providing feed to said pan member.    
   
   
       9 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said outward side surface of said upstanding portion is formed of a plurality of projecting and recessed portions.  
   
   
       10 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of projecting and recessed portions are provided in an alternating configuration about said outward side surface.  
   
   
       11 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said projecting portions are convex and wherein said recessed portions are concave.  
   
   
       12 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said outward side surface of said upstanding portion is formed of a plurality of projecting portions.  
   
   
       13 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each projecting portion is formed of, in series, a first concave portion, a convex portion, and a second concave portion.  
   
   
       14 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said upstanding portion has a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to said base portion of said pan member without adjusting said feeder assembly.  
   
   
       15 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said top surface of said upstanding portion is formed from a plurality of peak and valley portions.  
   
   
       16 . A feeder assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said upstanding portion further includes a curved surface, said curved surface connecting said outward side surface and said top surface together in order to provide a smooth transition from said outward side surface to said top surface.  
   
   
       17 . A feeder assembly comprising: 
 a pan member having a base portion in which feed is retained and presented;    a rim member which surrounds and is secured to said pan member, said rim member having an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of said pan member; and    a drop tube assembly which is operatively associated with said pan member for providing feed to said pan member.    
   
   
       18 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said outward side surface of said rim member is formed of a plurality of projecting and recessed portions.  
   
   
       19 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of projecting and recessed portions are provided in an alternating configuration about said outward side surface.  
   
   
       20 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said projecting portions are convex and wherein said recessed portions are concave.  
   
   
       21 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said outward side surface of said rim member is formed of a plurality of projecting portions.  
   
   
       22 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein each projecting portion is formed of, in series, a first concave portion, a convex portion, and a second concave portion.  
   
   
       23 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said rim member has a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to said base portion of said pan member without adjusting said feeder assembly.  
   
   
       24 . The feeder assembly as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said top surface of said rim member is formed from a plurality of peak and valley portions.  
   
   
       25 . A feeder assembly as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said rim member further includes a curved surface, said curved surface connecting said outward side surface and said top surface together in order to provide a smooth transition from said outward side surface to said top surface.