AU2016201828B2 - An apparatus for feeding animals - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding animals is provided. The apparatus has an elongated shaft having a handle end and a proximal end, a bowl attachment means at the proximal end of the shaft and at least one bowl, the apparatus adapted such that the bowl is able to 5 releasably engage with the bowl attachment means and the apparatus is arranged such that in use a user is able to grasp the handle and lift and carry the apparatus. Figure 1 \\ \\\'*********g*g*m .. ,,,,,,,,,,,

Description

An apparatus for feeding animals.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an apparatus for feeding animals. More particularly but not exclusively the invention relates to an apparatus that the elderly or people with physical disabilities can use to feed their pets.

BACKGROUND

Many pet owners feed their pets by placing food in a bowl and then placing the bowl on the ground. Having to reach down to the ground is an inconvenience and for some elderly people or people with physical disabilities it can be very difficult and/or painful for them to do this.

It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problems. While this is an object of a preferred embodiment, it should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the invention as claimed. The object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, eg “comprises”, if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement “comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, 25 optionally, have additional parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for feeding an animal comprising:

· an elongated shaft having a handle end and a proximal end;

• a bowl attachment means at the proximal end of the shaft; and • at least one bowl;

2016201828 23 Mar 2016 the apparatus adapted such that the bowl is able to releasably engage with the bowl attachment means and the apparatus is arranged such that in use a user is able to grasp the handle and lift and carry the apparatus.

Preferably the bowl attachment means has:

• a central link which is attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and • at least one bowl support which is attached to the central link.

Preferably the central link is able to releasably engage with the shaft.

Preferably the bowl support is able to releasably engage with the central link.

Preferably the bowl support and central link both have locking extensions.

Preferably the bowl support has a male connecting member and the central link has a female connecting member adapted to receive the male member.

Preferably the bowl support is generally circular.

Preferably there are three bowl supports.

Preferably the proximal end of the shaft is adapted to releasably engage with the bowl attachment means or central link.

Preferably the proximal end of the shaft has a generally T-shaped member and the bowl attachment means or central link has an aperture adapted to receive the Tshaped member.

Preferably the handle end of the shaft is threaded such that gripping of it is made 30 easier when in use.

Preferably the shaft is adjustable in height.

2016201828 23 Mar 2016

Preferably the bowl attachment means or central link has feet.

Preferably the apparatus has three feet.

Preferably the bowl has a removable sealable lid.

Preferably the bowl and lid are substantially transparent.

Preferably the bowl is adapted such that it is stackable with other bowls.

Preferably there are three bowls.

Preferably the apparatus is modular.

Preferably the apparatus is made substantially from plastic.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying photos, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal feeding apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a shaft which forms part of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a central link which forms part of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the central link;

FIG. 5 is an underneath perspective view of the central link;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the shaft and central link when connected;

FIG. 7 is an underneath perspective view of a bowl support which forms part of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the bowl support;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shaft, central link and bowl support when connected;

2016201828 23 Mar 2016

FIG. 10 is an underneath perspective view of the shaft, central link and bowl support when connected;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of a bowl which forms part of the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is perspective view of a bowl with a lid attached;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the apparatus with a lid attached to the bowl; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows an animal feeding apparatus 1. References to animal throughout the specification covers any type of pet, companion, farm and/or wild animal that humans feed or care for. The apparatus 1 has a shaft 2, a central link 3, three bowl supports 4, and three bowls 5. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number and size of supports 4 and bowls 5 can vary.

As can be seen in figure 2, the shaft 2 has two ends, one being a distal handle end 6 which is threaded to make gripping easier. At the proximal end of the shaft is a Tshaped attachment member 7. This T-shaped attachment member 7 connects to the central link 3. It will appreciated that the shaft 2 can come in different lengths and widths. In some embodiments (not shown) the shaft 2 is telescopically extendable and retractable so it can be adjusted in length.

Figure 3 shows the central link 3 in more detail. The link 3 has three feet 8 which engage with the ground when in use however it will be appreciated that the number of feet 8 can vary. As can be seen each side of the link 3 has side walls (or locking 25 extensions) 9 extending outwardly. As also shown, the link 3 has inwardly orientated side flanges 10 spaced from one another and each extending from a different one of the side walls 9.

Figure 4 shows that the there is a channel 11 between each of the flanges 10 and side walls 9. As can also be seen the central link 3 also has a groove 12 at the base between the side walls 9 and flanges 10. This figure also illustrates that the link 3 has a central aperture 13 shaped to receive the T-shaped attachment member 7 of the shaft 2.

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As can be seen in figure 5 the aperture 13 has a two projections 14 which enables the T-shaped attachment member 7 to engage into a locking relationship so the shaft 2 can be connected (detachably) to the central link 3 like that shown in figure 6. It will be appreciated that other shaft 2 to central link 3 attachment means can be used in 5 alternative embodiments (not shown) for example the proximal end of the shaft 2 can be threaded as can the interior of the aperture 13 such that the shaft 2 can be twisted into the link 3. Also types of fastening means such as nuts and bolts can be used in some embodiments to secure the shaft 2 to the link 3.

Figure 7 shows the bowl support 4 in more detail. The support 4 is circular in shape however it will be appreciated it can come in other shapes as can the corresponding bowls 5 e.g. the supports and bowls can be rectangular or square etc. The support 4 has two side walls (locking extensions) 15 extending outwardly from it. The support 4 also has two outwardly orientated side flanges 16 spaced from one another and each extending from a different one of the side walls 15. Also extending out from the support 4 and being above the side walls 15 and flanges 16 when in use is a top plate 17.

Extending perpendicular and downwardly from this plate 17 when in use is a locking tab 18.

As can be seen in figure 8 the tip 19 of the locking tab 18 extends outwardly and is adapted to releasably engage with the groove 12 in the central link 3. The support 4 also has a circular lip 20 which allows a bowl 5 to sit on it when in use. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a lip 20 is not required in some embodiments for the bowl 5 to sit in the support 4 (e.g. the shape of the support and/or bowl can enable the bowl to releasably engage with it).

Referring to figures 9 and 10, when the bowl support 4 is in use with the central link 3, the side walls 15, flanges 16 and locking tab 18 of the support 4 are inserted downwardly into the channel 11 of the link 3 so that flanges 10 and 16 are in a tight 30 relationship against one another and the top plate 17 is sitting above and butting against the top of the side walls 9 and flange 10 of the link 3. Also the tip 19 of the locking tab 18 engages with the groove 12. This above engagement allows the bowl support 4 to releasably engage with the central link 3 and the attached shaft 2. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of central link 3 to bowl support 4

2016201828 23 Mar 2016 attachments could be used for example the central link 3 could have a plate at the base of the flanges 10 and side walls 9. Also male-female type connections can be used as could different types of fastening means (e.g. screws).

Figure 11 shows the bowl 5 in more detail. As can be seen the top of the bowl has lip or extension 20 adapted so that it can receive a removable sealable lid 21 like that shown in figures 12 and 13. The bowl 5 can easily be removed from the bowl support 4 and easily replaced. The bowls 5 can have food (wet or dry food) placed in them and they can be stored for future meals. The bowls 5 can also be used to hold liquid (e.g.

water or milk etc).The bowls 5 are preferably dishwashing friendly so that they are easy to clean. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bowl 5 and lid 21 can be transparent so that a user can see the food inside them if for example they are storing the bowl with food in it in a fridge or a freezer. The bowls 5 are also adapted such that they are stackable so that they can save space. References to bowl 5 throughout the specification relate to any container or vessel which can hold food or fluids and in which an animal can eat or drink from.

Figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 21. As can be seen the sizes of the bowl supports 22 differ as do sizes of the bowls 23.

In use a user can lift the apparatus 1 off the ground using the handle 6 and carry the apparatus 1 if desired, the user can then remove a bowl 5 (or bowls) from the bowl support(s) 4 and place food into the bowl(s) 5. The bowl(s) 5 is then inserted (e.g. it can be dropped in) into the bowl support(s) 4 and the user can place the apparatus 1 25 back on the ground using the handle 6 without having to reach down. In some embodiments the food will already be stored with a removable lid 21 on it and so a user can lift the apparatus 1 and remove an empty bowl 5 and replace it with a stored bowl 5, the user can then remove the lid 21 and then place the apparatus 1 back on the ground using the handle 6. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user can 30 decide how many bowls 5 and bowl supports 4 they want to use on the apparatus 1 for example a user may only want to use one bowl 5 and one bowl support 4 if they only have one pet to feed whereas another user may want to use three bowls 5 and three bowl supports 4.

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The apparatus 1 is easy to store and easy to clean as all of the parts previously mentioned are detachable (e.g. are able to releasably engage) from each other and can come in different interchangeable sizes and colours and are preferably all made substantially from plastic although it will be appreciated that they can be made from 5 other materials. It also will be appreciated that the various parts of the apparatus 1 can be made in a number of different ways however the parts are preferably made by plastic injection moulding. In some embodiments the apparatus is modular and the components are preferably pre-fabricated in a factory and are easy to assemble.

The apparatus has a number benefits/advantages over conventional ways of feeding a pet for example it is easier to feed a pet as a user does not need to reach down to the ground to place or pick up the bowl as this can be done using the handle. Some elderly people or people with physical disabilities (e.g. people in wheelchairs, people with crutches, people with back problems etc) find it difficult to reach down to the ground 15 and this apparatus addresses this issue. The apparatus also makes pet feeding quicker, and the use of a sealable lid make it more hygienic. When the apparatus is made substantially from plastic this makes the apparatus lightweight and inexpensive to produce.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail so long as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. For 25 example the particular elements of the handle, central link, bowl support, bowl and lid may vary dependent on the particular application for which it is used without variation in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to an animal feeding apparatus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. An apparatus for feeding an animal comprising:

• an elongated shaft having a handle end and a proximal end which has a

5 generally T-shaped member;

• a substantially triangular central link which is adapted to releasably engage with the proximal end of the shaft by way of an aperture which receives the T-shaped member and also having at least one female connecting member;

• at least one bowl support which is able to releasably engage with the central

10 link and being adapted such that it has at least one male connecting member which releasably engages with the central link female connecting member; and • at least one bowl;

the apparatus adapted such that the bowl is able to releasably engage with the at 15 least one bowl support and the apparatus is arranged such that in use a user is able to grasp the handle and lift and carry the apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bowl support is generally circular.

20

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are three bowl supports.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle end of the shaft is threaded such that gripping of it is made easier when in use.

25 5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft is adjustable in height.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bowl support or central link has feet.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus has three feet.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one bowl has a removable sealable lid.

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9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the bowl and lid are substantially transparent.

5 10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bowl is adapted such that it is stackable with other bowls.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are three bowls.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, made substantially from plastic.