Varmint guard feeder and method of using same

Abstract

A method for dispersing feed that includes the steps of providing a feed apparatus configured to contain feed, the feed apparatus having a hopper body with a base, a feed sheet mounted below the base, a powered fan blade coupled with the hopper body, and at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet. The feed sheet is mounted below the base in order to provide distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife, such that the at least one window, the base, and the feed sheet are configured to provide a feed stream in all radial directions as the powered fan blade rotates.

1 . A feed dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a hopper body configured for holding feed, the hopper body comprising a base;   a feed sheet mounted below the base;   at least one gap disposed between the hopper body and the feed sheet, wherein the at least one gap is configured for distribution of feed from the feed dispensing apparatus to an intended wildlife;   a powered blade operatively connected to the hopper body; and   at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet,   wherein the at least one window and the at least one gap are configured to provide a feed stream in radial directions as the powered blade rotates.   
     
     
         2 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , the feed dispensing apparatus further comprising:
 a motor coupled with the hopper body;   a motor shaft powered by the motor, wherein the motor shaft passes at least partially through the base; and   at least one opening disposed in the base,   wherein the at least one opening is configured for feed to pass therethrough and onto the powered blade and the feed sheet, wherein the powered blade is coupled to the motor shaft, and wherein the motor causes the powered blade to rotate and move feed that falls onto the powered fan blade.   
     
     
         3 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein operation of said motor is controlled by a programmable controller. 
     
     
         4 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller to allow the programming of said motor operation. 
     
     
         5 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a battery for supplying power to said motor, wherein the motor is disposed in the hopper body. 
     
     
         6 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the intended wildlife is a land-based animal. 
     
     
         7 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feed sheet comprises a flat sheet of metal, and wherein the hopper body comprises a plurality of sides configured to form an enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the windows is partially defined by an area between a bottom edge of one of the plurality of sides and a corresponding edge of the feed sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hopper body further comprises a funnel configured to direct feed down toward the at least one opening. 
     
     
         10 . The feed dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gap is further configured to protect feed contained in the dispensing apparatus from an unintended wildlife. 
     
     
         11 . A method for dispersing feed comprising:
 providing a feed apparatus configured to contain feed, the feed apparatus comprising:
 a hopper body comprising a base; 
 a feed sheet mounted below the base; 
 a powered fan blade coupled with the hopper body; and 
 at least one window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet, 
   wherein the feed sheet is mounted below the base in order to provide distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife, and wherein the at least one window, the base, and the feed sheet are configured to provide a feed stream in all radial directions as the powered fan blade rotates.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the feed apparatus further comprises:
 operatively connecting the powered fan blade with a motor and a motor shaft coupled with the main body, wherein the motor shaft passes at least partially through the base; and   providing at least one opening in the base,   wherein the at least one opening is configured for feed to pass therethrough and onto the powered fan blade and the feed sheet, wherein the powered fan blade is coupled to the motor shaft, and wherein the motor causes the powered fan blade to rotate and move feed that falls onto the powered blade.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the motor is digitally controlled to allow for the programming of the motor operation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further providing a controller to allow for the programming of said motor operation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further providing a battery for supplying power to said motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined wildlife is a land-based animal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hopper body comprises a plurality of sides connected together to form an enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the feed sheet comprises a flat sheet of metal, and wherein one or more of the windows is partially defined by an area between a bottom edge of one of the plurality of sides and a corresponding edge of the feed sheet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein base and the feed sheet form a gap therebetween, and wherein the gap is configured to protect feed contained in the feed apparatus from a predetermined varmint. 
     
     
         20 . A feed dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a hopper body comprising a base;   a feed sheet mounted below the base;   a powered blade operatively connected to the hopper body; and a window disposed between an outer edge of the hopper body and an outer edge of the feed sheet,   wherein the feed sheet is mounted below the base in order to provide for distribution of feed to a predetermined wildlife, and wherein the window, the base, and the feed sheet are further configured to provide a radial feed stream as the powered blade rotates.