# US 12,004,491 B1 · Protein feeder timed-access control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,491 B1 - Document ID: US12004491B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/545,002 - Filed: 2023-12-19 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2023-08-31 - Assignees: Next Generation Deer Feeders, L.L.C. - Applicants: Timothy K. Van Delden; Robert E. O'Connor - Inventors: Timothy K. Van Delden; Robert E. O'Connor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004491B1 ## CPC - A01K 5/0225: {Gravity replenishment from a reserve, e.g. a hopper (for poultry A01K39/012)} - A01K 5/02: Automatic devices {(automatic identification devices for stock A01K11/006)} - A01K 5/0291: {with timing mechanisms, e.g. pet feeders} - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS ## Abstract A gravity-fed protein feeder improvement comprising a timed-access control system configured to increase opportunities to attract or harvest a target animal at a protein feeder site during daylight hours, said timed-access control system comprising a programable timer switch, a battery, a solar panel, a feed access control door assembly, an electromagnetic coil relay, a linear actuator, actuator alignment bracket and assembly mount. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gravity-fed feeder system comprising: a timed-access control system configured to increase opportunities to attract a target animal for harvesting at a feeder site during specific hours, said timed-access control system comprising: a programmable timer switch; a feed access control door assembly; a linear actuator; actuator alignment bracket and assembly mount; wherein said feed access control door assembly is configured for fixation to a horizontal end section of a gravity feed distribution tube, said linear actuator is configured for fixation along an exterior surface of said gravity feed distribution tube and held in place with said actuator alignment bracket and assembly mount, and wherein said programmable timer switch actuates the linear actuator to open and close the feed access control door assembly to allow a target animal access to feed within said horizontal end of the gravity feed distribution tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The timed-access control system of claim 1, further comprising: a primary battery; and an electromagnetic coil relay. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The timed-access control system of claim 2, wherein said primary battery is rechargeable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The timed-access control system of claim 2, further comprising: a solar panel; wherein said solar panel is configured to maintain and recharge the primary battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The timed-access control system of claim 4, wherein said solar panel is also configured to maintain and recharge the programmable timer backup battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The timed-access control system of claim 2, wherein said system controls the number of times per day a target animal can access feed attractant inside dispensing tubes of the improved gravity-fed protein feeder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The timed-access control system of claim 2, wherein said system controls the time of day a target animal can access feed attractant inside dispensing tubes of the improved gravity-fed protein feeder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The timed-access control system of claim 2, wherein said system controls a window of time a target animal can access feed attractant inside dispensing tubes of the improved gravity-fed protein feeder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The timed-access control system of claim 1, wherein said programmable timer switch further comprises: a backup battery; wherein said backup battery is configured to maintain memory settings of the programmable timer switch in the event power is lost from the primary battery, and wherein said backup battery is rechargeable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The timed-access control system of claim 1, further comprising: a control box housing; an electrical junction box; and waterproof electric connectors; configured to withstand year-round harsh weather conditions. ### Claim 11 A gravity-fed feeder improvement system comprising a timed-access control system configured to control access to a protein feed attractant through three feed access variables consisting of: 1.) the time of the day; 2.) the number of times per day; and 3.) the duration of the time the feed attractant is accessible; wherein the timed-access control system comprises a programmable timer switch configured to dispensed feed during hours when harvesting is legal by activation of a feed access control door assembly attached to a horizontal end section of a gravity feed distribution tube using a linear actuator attached to said feed access control door assembly and fixed along an exterior surface of said gravity feed distribution tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The gravity-fed feeder improvement system of claim 11, wherein the timed-access control system further comprises: an actuator alignment bracket and assembly mount fixed along an exterior surface of said gravity feed distribution tube to hold the linear actuator in place; an electromagnetic coil relay electrically connected to the linear actuator; a rechargeable primary battery electrically connected to the timed-access control system; and a solar panel electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; wherein said solar panel is configured to maintain and recharge the rechargeable primary battery. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The gravity-fed feeder improvement system of claim 12, wherein the timed-access control system comprises a back-up battery; wherein said backup battery is configured to maintain memory settings in the event power is lost from the primary battery, and wherein said backup battery is rechargeable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The timed-access control system of claim 13, wherein said solar panel is also configured to maintain and recharge the backup battery. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The timed-access control system of claim 12, further comprising: a control box housing; an electrical junction box; and waterproof electric connectors; configured to withstand year-round harsh weather conditions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The timed-access control system of claim 12, further comprising scent openings in the feed access control door assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The timed-access control system of claim 12, wherein the programmable timer switch comprises static memory to maintain timer settings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The gravity-fed feeder improvement system of claim 12, wherein said programmable timer switch actuates the linear actuator to open and close the feed access control door assembly to allow a target animal access to feed within said horizontal end section of the gravity feed distribution tube.