AU2013100363A4 - Bird exercise device and feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

C:\NRPortbI\DCC\CAB\5004800_1.DOC-26/03/2013 A bird exercise device including a base, a support member projecting upwardly from the base and a rod for a bird to perch on, the rod being pivotally coupled relative to the support member. C:\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\50048001.DOC-26/03/2013

Description

C:\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5004800_1.DOC-26/03/2013 BIRD EXERCISE DEVICE AND FEEDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a bird exercise device that can also function as a feeder. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A limited number of bird exercise devices are available such as a swing or rings, however, such devices provide only limited exercise value to the bird. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention seeks to provide an improved exercise device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a bird exercise device including a base, a support member projecting upwardly from the base and a rod for a bird to perch on, the rod being pivotally coupled relative to the support member. [0005] Preferably, the rod includes a connector section that is received in an aperture of the support member, to allow for universal movement of the rod. [0006] Preferably, the connector section is designed to slide through the aperture to adjust the length of the rod projecting from a front side of the support member. [0007] Preferably, the device includes a biasing element to resiliently bias the rod to project upwardly and forwardly of the front side of the support member. [0008] Preferably, the base is recessed to receive a feed tray.

C:\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5004800_1.DOC-26/03/2013 -2 [0009] Preferably, the device includes side panels and the base has an elevated front wall to contain seed spilt from the feed tray. [0010] Preferably, the support member is in the form of a back panel that includes through-holes to enable a bird to look through the panel when feeding. [0011] Preferably, the device includes rails fitted to edges of side panels and the base to allow a bird to perch on the edges of the device, the rails being removable for cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The present invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bird exercise device; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the device with a feed tray removed; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing rails removed from the device; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the device; Figure 5 is a front view of the device illustrating a rod of the device in one position; Figure 6 is a front view of the device with the rod in a second position; and Figure 7 is a front view of the device with the rod in a third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON THE INVENTION [0013] Referring firstly to Figure 1, a bird exercise device is shown as including a base, a support member, a rod projecting from the support member and hooks to hang the device in a bird cage or aviary.

C:\NRPortbI\DCC\CAB\5004800_1.DOC-26/03/2013 -3 [0014] The rod is designed as a bird perch. The rod includes a connector section that is pivotally coupled to the support member by being fitted into an aperture of the support member. [0015] The pivotal coupling between the rod and the support member allows for 3 dimensional or universal movement of the rod about the aperture so that the rod can mimic natural movement of a twig or small branch to provide beneficial balance and muscle education for a bird sitting on the rod. [0016] The support member provides a back panel of the device and is integrally formed with two side panels. A recess is defined between the panels and is bordered by a raised front wall of the base, to hold a seed tray. [0017] The recess holds a seed tray and the wall and panels contain any seed that a bird may spill from the tray. This provides a considerable advantage in so far as the device can be mounted in a bird cage and little or no seed in spilled from the device, which means only minimal cleaning of the cage is required. The lack of spilt seed also discourages vermin like rats or mice that otherwise feed off the seed. [0018] When a bird is feeding, it is common for the bird to look around to check for danger or predators. Since the panels reduce visibility, the bird may become nervous when feeding and may carry seeds outside the device when checking the surrounds. To reduce any disquiet for the bird and to keep the bird feeding over the tray, small viewing holes are provided in the back panel. [0019] The back panel or the other side panels can also carry a visually stimulating image of another bird or the like, to keep the bird entertained while using the device and while feeding. [0020] The device includes rails fitted to edges of side panels and the base to allow a bird to perch on the edges of the device. The rails are designed to be removed for cleaning, as required. [0021] Referring now to Figure 2, one of the rails has been removed for the purpose of illustration. The tray is also shown removed from the recess for cleaning or the like. For that purpose, the tray has a small handle that can be gripped and lifted to remove C:\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5004800_1.DOC-26/03/2013 -4 the tray. [0022] Referring to Figure 3, all of the rails have been removed for cleaning. Each rail is formed with an elongate groove to receive the edge of the associated panel or wall. In this instance, the rails are formed of timber. However, the rails can be formed of plastic or a harder material, depending on the beak strength of the bird. A large cockatoo, for example, would shed the rails if they were made of timber. [0023] Referring now to Figure 4, a length of the connector section is shown projecting through the aperture to a rear side of the panel. A biasing element in the form of an elastic strap is wound around the connector section and secured to an anchor located adjacent the base of the device to resiliently bias the connector section downwardly and force the rod projecting from a front side of the panel in an upward direction. This biasing mimics a natural upward bias of a branch or twig. [0024] By sliding the connector section through the aperture to differing degrees, the effective length of the rod projecting from the front of the panel and the effective degree of bias can be adjusted. As such, the device allows for adjustment to accommodate birds with different weights. [0025] Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate different sideways positions that can be adopted by the rod. Any sideways or up and down movements are all biased back to a rest position to again mimic movement of a natural branch and provide the bird a full body workout in balancing and moving with the rod. [0026] The device can be installed in a bird cage or aviary to interact with other fixed perches or toys. For example, the rod may be project a sufficient distance to allow a bird to hop onto the rod from one perch and drop down or swing the rod to a second fixed perch, where the bird can step off the rod on to the second perch. [0027] The device thereby provides a useful tool for bird movement and muscle development as well as providing an avian learning and entertainment tool.

Claims (8)

1. A bird exercise device including a base, a support member projecting upwardly from the base and a rod for a bird to perch on, the rod being pivotally coupled relative to the support member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rod includes a connector section that is received in an aperture of the support member, to allow for universal movement of the rod.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the connector section is designed to slide through the aperture to adjust the length of the rod projecting from a front side of the support member.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device includes a biasing element to resiliently bias the rod to project upwardly and forwardly of the front side of the support member.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base is recessed to receive a feed tray.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the base has elevated side walls to contain spilt seed from the feed tray.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support member is in the form of a back panel that includes through-holes to enable a bird to look through the panel when feeding from within the base.

8. The device of claim 7, further including rails fitted to edges of the base and support section to allow a bird to perch on the edges of the device, the rails being removable for cleaning.