Hay basket
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hay basket for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known in the art, there is U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,740 of R. PELLERIN granted on 11 Oct. 1994. This patent describes a self-propelled and automatic hay distributing apparatus for feeding livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. The apparatus lifts and carries a rolled hay bale through which a rod is inserted. Driving means are mechanically connected to wheels of a carriage for moving the apparatus along the beam. 
     Although the apparatus of PELLERIN is well adapted for rolled hay bales, it is not suitable for loose hay or hay bale fragments, which are often used for feeding livestock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hay basket suitable for loose hay or hay bale fragments and that is movable along an overhead beam. 
     More particularly, the object of the present invention is to provide 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 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. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide 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; 
     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 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 connected to the second end of a first member and to the second end of a second member adjacent the first member. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide 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 a substantially cone-shaped upper surface; 
     two elongated central bars, each for connecting a corresponding carriage to the base; 
     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 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 connected to the second end of a first member and to the second end of a second member adjacent the first member. 
    
    
     A non restrictive description of preferred embodiments will now be given with reference to the appended drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hay basket in FIG. 1, further comprising a driving mechanism. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hay basket in FIG. 2, further comprising a driving mechanism and side bars. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The description and the drawings use the following reference numerals: 
     10 hay basket 
     12 carriage 
     14 wheels 
     16 drawbar 
     18 driving mechanism 
     20 base 
     22 cone-shaped upper surface 
     24 pyramidal-shaped upper surface 
     26 connecting means 
     28 peripheral edge 
     30 members 
     32 first end of members 
     34 second end of members 
     40 rim 
     42 rim segments 
     50 fastening means 
     52 holes 
     54 pegs 
     56 pivot 
     60 side bars 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown examples of a hay basket (10) according to the present invention for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. The basket (10) is preferably used with loose hay or hay bale fragments. 
     The basket (10) comprises a carriage (12) for suspending the basket (10) to the overhead beam. The carriage (12) is provided with wheels (14) for connecting the basket (10) to the beam and allowing translation of the basket (10) along the beam. A base (20) is located under the carriage (12) and in spaced relationship therewith. Preferably, the base (20) has a cone-shaped upper surface (22). In FIG. 2, two cone-shaped surfaces are linked by a pyramidal-shaped upper surface (24). These arrangements allow the hay near a bottom center portion of the basket (10) to fall under gravity on side bottom portions of the basket (10) so that it does not fall on the ground right under the basket (10) and out of reach of the livestock. Other upper surface shapes are possible for achieving the same results. The base (20) is connected to the carriage (12) by connecting means such as the central elongated bar (26) that is adjustable in height. Other connecting means are also possible for achieving the same results. The basket (10) in FIG. 1 is preferably rotatable with reference to the carriage (12) by means of a pivot (56). 
     The basket (10) comprises a plurality of substantially L-shaped elongated members (30) evenly or unevenly distributed around the base (20). The members (30) are spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough. Each member (30) has a first end (32) connected to the base (20) and a second end (34) at a location higher than the base (20), preferably pointing upward, thereby defining the hay receiving portion of the basket (10) together with the other members (30). A rim (40) is provided for linking together the second end (34) of all members (30). 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the rim (40) preferably comprises a plurality of segments (42), each segment (42) being connected to the second end (34) of a first member (30) and to the second end (34) of a second member (30) adjacent the first member (30). As shown in FIG. 4, the rim (40) may be connected to the central elongated bar (26) by means of side bars (60). 
     According to another preferred embodiment, there is provided a plurality of fastening means (50) for removably connecting the first end (34) of the members (30) to the base (20), more particularly around its peripheral edge (28). Among many possible embodiments, there is the one where the fastening means (50) comprise holes (52) in which pegs (54) are removably connected for securing the first end (32) to the edge (28). Preferably, the holes (52) are in a number greater than necessary for allowing a substitution with a set of members (30) having a different horizontal length and provided in a different number, thereby allowing the diameter of the basket (10) to be modified and/or the spacing between the members (30) to be modified. The segments (42) have to be replaced, modified or adaptable if the spacing between the members (30) is changed. 
     It is also possible to have the first ends (34) welded to the base (20) or otherwise connected. 
     In use, hay is put inside the basket and the basket (10) may be moved either manually or attached to a self-propelled automatic feed distributing apparatus (not shown) with a drawbar (16), shown in FIG. 1. 
     Alternatively, the hay basket (10) may comprise its own driving mechanism (18), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such mechanism (18) comprises a motor and controls for displacing the hay basket (10) for feeding the livestock. The controls may allow selecting parameters such as the travelling speed, the number of sequences and the schedule time. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.