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Pellerin, Andre; |
Hay basket

The hay basket is used for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. The basket comprises a carriage provided with wheels for connecting the basket to the overhead beam and allowing translation of the basket along the beam. A base is located under the carriage and in spaced relationship therewith. A central elongated bar connects the carriage to the base. A hay receiving portion is defined by the base and a plurality of L-shaped elongated members substantially evenly distributed around the base and spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough. Each member has a first end connected to the base and a second end located higher than the base. A rim is provided for linking together the second end of all members. In use, hay is put inside the basket and the basket may be either moved manually, attached to a self-propelled automatic feed distributing apparatus with a drawbar, or provided with a driving mechanism. The hay basket is very suitable for loose hay or hay bale fragments.


What is claimed is:
1. A hay basket for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends, the basket comprising:
a carriage provided with wheels for connecting the basket to the overhead beam and allowing translation of the basket along the beam;
a base located under the carriage and in spaced relationship therewith;
connecting means for connecting the base to the carriage;
a plurality of substantially L-shaped and substantially rigid elongated members distributed around the base and spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough, each member having a first end connected to the base and a second end located higher than the base; and
a rim for linking together the second end of all members.
2. A hay basket according to claim 1, wherein connecting means comprises a central elongated bar.
3. A hay basket according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening means for removably connecting the first end of the members around a peripheral edge of the base.
4. A hay basket according to claim 3, wherein the fastening means comprise holes provided in a number such that various sets of members are adaptable thereto.
5. A hay basket according to claim 3, wherein the rim comprises a plurality of segments, each segment being respectively connected to the second end of one of the members and to the second end of one of the adjacent members thereof.
6. A hay basket according to claim 1, wherein the base has a substantially cone-shaped upper surface.
7. A hay basket according to claim 1, wherein the base has two cone-shaped upper surfaces linked together by a substantially pyramidal-shaped upper surface, thereby allowing hay near a bottom center portion of the basket to fall under gravity on sides bottom portions of the basket.
8. A hay basket according to claim 1, wherein the first end of each members is welded to the base.
9. A hay basket according to claim 1, further comprising a drawbar for attaching the carriage to an automatic self-propelled apparatus.
10. A hay basket for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends, the basket comprising:
a carriage provided with wheels for connecting the basket to the overhead beam and allowing translation of the basket along the beam;
a base located under the carriage and in spaced relationship therewith, the base having a substantially cone-shaped upper surface;
a central elongated bar for connecting the carriage to the base, the central bar being rotatably connected under the carriage by means of a pivot;
a plurality of substantially L-shaped and substantially rigid elongated members, the members being substantially evenly distributed around the base and spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough, each member having a first end connected to the base and a second end located higher than the base; and
a rim for linking together the second end of all members, the rim comprising a plurality of segments, each segment being respectively connected to the second end of one of the members and to the second end of one of the adjacent members thereof.
11. A hay basket according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fastening means for removably connecting the first end of the members around a peripheral edge of the base.
12. A hay basket according to claim 11, wherein the fastening means comprise holes provided in a number such that various sets of members are adaptable thereto.
13. A hay basket according to claim 10, further comprising a drawbar for attaching the carriage to an automatic self-propelled apparatus.
14. A hay basket for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends, the basket comprising:
two carriages provided with wheels for connecting the basket to the overhead beam and allowing translation of the basket along the beam;
a base located under the carriages and in spaced relationship therewith, the base having two cone-shaped upper surfaces linked together by a substantially pyramidal-shaped upper surface;
two elongated central bars, each for connecting a corresponding carriage to the base;
a plurality of substantially L-shaped and substantially rigid elongated members, the members being substantially evenly distributed around the base and spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough, each member having a first end connected to the base and a second end located higher than the base; and
a rim for linking together the second end of all members, the rim comprising a plurality of segments, each segment being respectively connected to the second end of one of the members and to the second end of one of the adjacent members thereof.
15. A hay basket according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of fastening means for removably connecting the first end of the members around a peripheral edge of the base.
16. A hay basket according to claim 15, wherein the fastening means comprise holes provided in a number such that various sets of members are adaptable thereto.
17. A hay basket according to claim 14, further comprising a drawbar for attaching the carriage to an automatic self-propelled apparatus.
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