GB2421887A - A bird feeder with squirrel deterrent - Google Patents

Abstract

A squirrel proof bird feeder comprises two main parts, a food tray 11 and a moveable cover 12 mounted on a central pillar 14. The cover is supported by a spring 13 which is under slight compression and housed in the central pillar. In use, any squirrel, or any other vermin species, alighting on the cover causes the spring to compress allowing the cover to lower and effectively cut off access to the food tray. If, and when the squirrel climbs off the feeder, the compressed spring returns the lid to its original position allowing small birds access to the feed. The device may be fitted with a system which produces an audible signal when the cover is closed.

Description

BiRD FEEDER This invention relates to a Garden Bird Feeder.

Bird feeders are found in most gardens all year round, almost all feeders can be vandalised and accessed by squirrels which breach the feeder and scatter the contents around the area attracting a variety of vermin depriving intended birds of food stuffs.

It also puts birds at risk by forcin them to feed directly from the ground and fallipg prey to predators such as cats.

Although most people have no objection to feeding squirrels, this feeder allows you to make sure that birds are fed all year round without putting them into danger, It also allows you to attract and feed squirrels should you wish to have them in your garden using a separate feeder system.

This invention stops squirrel access to foodstuffs placed in the tray, it is also a striking addition to your garden allracljng all varieties of birds.

A description follows which is shown on attached drawing.

Figure 1 The feeder, which is hung from a branch, consists of two main parts, the TRAY 11 and LID 12.

They are kept apart by a SPRING 13 under light compression housed in the central hollow PILLAR 14. The feeder is shown in the Qpen position, The GUIDES 15 cut into the pillar in which the lid FIXED VANES 16 engage are cut along the length of the pillar to a point where the lid and tray come tqgether, this means no unnecessary material is removed, strength and rigidity maintained. The cap SPIGOT 17 and pillar Come tqgether as male/female fitting thus ensuring guides profile is continued top to bottom.

The tray is filled with seed: birds can sit around the rim enjoying the contents, Figure 2 Shows a plan view of Fig 1 without cap: Should a squirrel climb down onto the LID 12 the weight causes the SPRING 13 to compress thus lowering the lid onto the TRAY ii via the FIXED VANES 16 and GUIDES 15 closing off the contents, as 1ong as the squirrel remains on the lid the contents are protected.

The squirrel jumps to the ground or climbs back onto the tree, the compressed spring returns the lid to its original position thus allowing the birds access to the seed once more.

Figurc 3 End view of PILLAR 14 showing FIXED VANE 16 GUIDES 15.

Figure 4 Showing FIXED VANES 16 which are captured in the LTD 12. The vanes engage in the GUIDES 15. The bottom of the PILLAR 14 engages in the BOSS 22.

In the base of the TRAY 11 there is a FALSE FLOOR 18 which has a provision for an ON/OFF SWITCH 19, AUDIO (fflP 20 and BATTERY 21, Should a squirrel climb onto the LII) 12 with the on/off switch in the on position the SPRING 13 compresses, makes a circuit and a tune is played. this adds to the novelty of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. What we claim as our invention is: 1. A garden bird feeder which is squirrel proof Designed for hanging off a branch or purpose built hanger.
2. 2. A bird feeder as in 1 which has a base and lid held apart by a light spring under compression within a central pillar.
3. 3. A bird feeder as in 1 and 2 which when subjected to the weight of a squirrel on the lid will further compress the spring, moving the lid down the pillar via slotted guides thus shutting off the contents. At the same time an electrical contact is made which actuates a sound chip and a tune can be played.
4. 4. A bird feeder as in 1,2,and 3 which will open to allow bird feeding again once the squirrel jumps to the ground or climbs back into the tree.
5. 5. A bird feeder as claimed in previous claims which is manufactured from plastic or aluminium or a combination of the two. It will be manufactured in various sizes and environmental colours. The whole construction being glued and pinned.
6. 6. A squirrel proof bird feeder is herein described with accompanying drawing.