Leon David Cotham of Corpus Christi received U.S. Patent 8,066,206 for “Backpack Feeder.”

Texas Business Patent Of The Day:  A South Texas man has devised a way for hunters to take feed to remote areas.

Leon David Cotham of Corpus Christi received U.S. Patent 8,066,206 for “Backpack Feeder.”

Cotham filed for the patent on January 24, 2009.

Cotham’s invention relates generally to dispersing granular material such as feed, seed, grain and fertilizer, and more particularly to dispersing granular material from a portable device configured as a backpack, according to the patent document.

Hunters use feeders to attract game. Usually these are stationary and near a stand. Hunters then wait for game to come to the feeder. Some dedicated feeders are available for vehicles, e.g. all terrain vehicles, to feed larger areas like roads. During hunting season older more mature animals shy away from stationary feeders, or visit them at night. 

The prior art includes a variety of devices for dispersing granular seed, feed, grain and fertilizer. Some prior art devices are adapted for carrying on the user's back. No prior art devices include a device adapted for carrying on the user's back, that also includes a remotely-actuated, motorized, spinning spreader plate. 

Additionally, although some devices for dispersing granular material are adapted for attachment to a moving vehicle, no such prior art devices are adapted for removal from the vehicle and carrying on the user's back in a terrain deemed unsuitable for the vehicle. 

Similarly, although some devices for dispersing granular material are adapted for suspension from overhanging objects such as tree branches, no such prior art devices are remotely actuated, nor or such devices adapted for alternating between using the device in such a suspended manner, and carrying on the user's back to areas remote from the area of suspension, where no overhead object is available. 

Also, although no prior art devices for dispersing granular material are adapted to provide an appropriately elevated seating platform for the user after removing the device from the user's shoulders. 

Cotham saw a need for a device for dispersing granular seed, feed, and fertilizer, which is transportable on the user's back, has a motorized, spinning spreader plate that is remotely actuated, provides a seating platform for the user, is adaptable for attachment to rear structure on a vehicle, and can be suspended above the ground from an overhead object and remotely actuated. 

His invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a device for dispersing granular seed, feed, and fertilizer, which is transportable on the user's back, has a motorized, spinning spreader plate that is remotely actuated, provides a swiveling, cushioned seating platform for the user, is readily adaptable for attachment to rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or a pickup, and can readily be suspended above the ground from an overhead object and remotely actuated. 

The portable game feeder backpack is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game, and can also be used to spread seed and fertilizer. The device comprises a bucket with a removable lid that is filled with granular material, a funnel arranged within and at the bottom of the bucket, a downspout assembly beneath the funnel, and a motorized spreader plate beneath the downspout assembly that receives granular material from the funnel and scatters granular material behind the user as the user walks through a forest or hunting area that is inaccessible to vehicles.

A push button activation switch is arranged at the end of an elastic cord to the motor that powers the spreader plate. The entire assembly is mounted to a backpack frame that has two padded shoulder straps. The device may be placed on the ground so that the padded lid of the bucket may serve as a hunting seat for the user. The invention also has a detachable bracket made from angle and flat aluminum that may be attached to the rack of a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle, (ATV) for transportation or for use in spreading granular material behind the vehicle. The device is easily attached and detached from the bracket by two or more bolts and wing nuts and secured with nylon buckle straps. 

Advantages of my invention include the ability to enter areas inaccessible by vehicle and to enter without noise and disruption. Hunters may scout bedding areas and travel lanes used by game. The device is then used to spread feed, attract and hold game. The unit doubles as a hunting seat. The "backpack feeder" allows the hunter to go where these mature animals spend time and spread feed to hold the animals and then set up a stand. This is especially attractive for bow hunters. 

The bucket is filled with granular material and then the user activates the spreader motor with the hand held switch causing the spreader plate to distribute the granular material either as a backpack or from the ATV. The components work together to hold the granular material, distribute the granular material to a spreader plate and then spread the granular material behind the user as a backpack or behind the invention mounted to a vehicle. My invention is used to spread granular material in order to attract and hold wild game in areas inaccessible to vehicles when used as a backpack or over large areas such as roads when used on the ATV. 

Other advantages provided by some exemplary embodiments, include interchangeable controller units, enabling the operator to quickly change among pushbutton, remote, and timer control of the motor. Other such advantages include a lid which drains through side ports to protect the bucket contents from water entry. 

In some exemplary embodiments, Cotham provided an apparatus for a user to disperse granular material, comprising: a bucket for receiving and storing the granular material, the bucket having a bottom, the bucket bottom having a hole through which granular material is gravity discharged; a downspout assembly, cooperating with the bucket, for directing the granular material discharged from the bucket, the downspout assembly having a conduit, the conduit having a lower end; a spreader assembly, cooperating with the downspout assembly, attached to the bucket, the spreader assembly having a spreader plate positioned to receive granular material from the downspout assembly conduit lower end, a motor configured to receive power from an electric power source, a power source positioning member, a driving member connecting the motor and the spreader plate, and an actuator, for activating and de-activating the motor such that the activated motor rotates the spreader plate and granular material is dispersed, the downspout assembly conduit lower end being spaceable with respect to the spreader plate; a frame having a platform for supporting the bucket and spreader assembly; and a harness for receiving and supporting the frame, the harness having straps such that the user supports the apparatus upon the user's back.