GB2443599A

GB2443599A - Modular bird table and bird feeder.

Info

Publication number: GB2443599A
Application number: GB0622114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Kenneth Nock
Original assignee: CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd
Current assignee: CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-07
Filing date: 2006-11-07
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-07
Also published as: GB2443599B; GB0622114D0

Abstract

A modular bird table 8 comprising a first module 10 having a first base member 12 and a second module 110 having a second base member 112. A tubular birdfeeder 130 is either formed integrally on the second base member or the second base member has a recess or aperture to allow the removable attachment of a tubular birdfeeder. A connector integrally formed in one of the base members allows the first module to be rigidly connected to the second module in generally side by side relationship. The connector may take the form of one of more protrusions in one base member and one or more complimentary recesses in the other base member. The first module can be of tray and canopy construction and can be supported by a pole.

Description

Bird Table

The present invention relates to a modular bird feeding station.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a bird feeding station that may be configured in a variety of modes according to the preference of a user. A further aim is to provide apparatus that may be extended after initial use by the purchase of additional modules.

In one aspect the invention comprises a modular bird feeding centre having: a first module with a first base member and a second module with a second base member and a connector providing means of rigidly connecting said first and second modules in generally side by side relationship.

Preferably, at least the base portion of a birdfeeder is integrally formed with the second base member. The birdfeeder may be a separate component in which case it is preferably securable to the second module by attachment means. Preferably, the birdfeeder is secured to the second base member. Preferably, the birdfeeder is a tubular birdfeeder. Preferably the first module has means that allow it to be attached to and/or supported by a pole.

Preferably, the connector comprises at least one portion formed integrally within the first module or the second module. The connector may comprise a first recess or first protrusion in the first module that engages a second protrusion or second recess respectively in the second module. Preferably, the recess and protrusion interlock; preferably to provide a mitred type joint.

Preferably, a hanger hook that may be attached to the first base member using said connector.

This hanger may be used to attach further birdfeeders below the first base member using wire handles and the like that are commonly provided on such feeders.

Preferably, the first base member has a plurality of side walls and wherein said connector is located at least in part on a side wall. Preferably side walls extend around the perimeter of the first base member. This allows convenient location of said connectors and also advantageously allows the base member to also contain water and do provide a water bath for feeding birds.

In a further aspect the invention comprises a modular bird feeding centre comprising: a first module having a first base member wherein said first module has at least a first recess or protrusion; a second module comprising a second base member said second base member having at least one protrusion or recess that in use engages said first recess or said first protrusion of said first module so as to rigidly connect said first and second modules in generally side by side relationship.

In another aspect the invention comprises a modular bird feeding centre comprising a first module having a first base member and a second module having a second base member with a connector integrally formed in the base members that allows the first module to be rigidly connected to the second module in generally side by side relationship.

In all of the above aspects, preferably the first base member has at least three equal sides that allow interchangeable attachment of further modules. More preferably, the base member has four equal sides.

Preferably, the first base member has curved transitions between each side and the second module has a pair of flared corners that in use wrap around at least part of said curved transitions. This helps to keep the first and second modules rigidly connected side by side.

The first module may comprise a tray. The first module may also have a canopy supported above it. This provides protection for birds using the centre.

Preferably, the second module has a base with three sides further comprising a rounded corner and two flared pointed corners.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by reference to the following diagrammatic figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first base member; Figure 3 shows a perspective view and elevation views of the detachable hook; Figure 4 shows a perspective view and elevation views of the mounting bracket; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the second base member with an integral bird feeder base.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a bird feeding station 8 according to the invention.

The bird feeding station comprises a first module 10 with a first base member 12 having a floor 14 and four side walls 16 that extend upwardly from base 12 and are located around the perimeter of the floor 14. While floor 14 is generally square in plan view, it has four rounded corners 18. These rounded corners serve to assist the attachment of a second module 110 comprising a second base member 112. Second base member 112 may be semi-circular or may be generally triangular in plan view and has flared corners 114 that in use engage or abut against rounded corners 18. A connector is provided to allow the first and second base members 12, 112 to be attached side by side. This connector may comprise one or more protrusions in one base member and corresponding recesses in the other base member; thus as shown in Figure 1, base member 12 has an angled recess 20 and second base member 112 has an angled protrusion 120. In use protrusion 120 is located above recess 20 and then pushed downwardly so that it mates to form a mitred joint.

Second base member 112 includes a birdfeeder 130 comprising a lid 132, a cylindrical main body 134, a pair of ports 136 each having an integral perch 138; said ports being fastened to each other back to back and presenting apertures 140 through which seed is presented to birds. Cylindrical main body 134 is supported by base 142 that comprises a plurality of shedding faces 144 that co-operate to direct birdfeed stored in main body 134 to apertures 140. Base 142 may be integrally formed with second base member 112. Alternatively, base 142 may be detachable from second base 112; for example base 142 may have an external thread (not shown) that engages a similar thread in a cylindrical aperture provided in second base 112 (not shown). Alternatively, the second base member 112 may have an aperture that allows a wing nut to be used to secure the base 142 of the birdfeeder to the base member 112; for example by providing a female thread in the underside of base member 112 that in use engages a thread in said wing nut.

The first base module 10 further comprises pillars 50 located at each rounded corner 18 that in combination support roof 152. Preferably pillars 152 are not integrally formed with either the floor 14, side wall 16 or roof 152 but rather are provided with interlocking elements that allow attachment and removal of the pillars from these components. For example pillars 50 may be inserted within tight fit holes 52 provided in the rounded side wall corner portions of the first base member 12. Drainage holes 54 may also be provided in the floor 14.

Each side wall 16 is preferably provided with fixing means. Thus, a third nodule 210 comprising a third base member 212 with a second bird feeder 230 may be attached to a further wall; preferably a wall opposite that to which the second module 110 is attached; thus providing a visually and structurally balanced assembly. Preferably, second birdfeeder 210 is a peanut feeder or the like and comprises a lid 232, a cylindrical wire mesh main body 234 supported by base 242 that comprises a plurality of shedding faces. Again, base 242 may be integrally formed with third base member 212 or may be detachable there from.

In use base member 12 is supported by mounting bracket 80 (see Figure 4). Bracket 80 may threadingly engage a recess provided in the underside of floor 14 (not shown). Thus bracket may comprise base plate 84 having four slots 86 and screw thread portion 82. The base plate 84 may be screwed to a fixed structure such as a garden fence using screws and slots 86 or may be supported by a pole.

In use, sidewalls 16 that are not engaging adjacent modules; for example second module 110 or third module 210 may also have fixing means. Figure 1 shows a hook 70 attached to one side wall 16. Hook 70 has a protruding portion 72 (see Figure 3) that engages recess 20 and when fixed to the base member 12 may be used to support further birdfeeders (not shown); for example birdfeeders that have hangers. /

Claims

I. A modular bird feeding centre comprising: a first module with a first base member and a second module with a second base member; wherein at least the base portion of a birdfeeder is integrally formed within the second base member or wherein the second base member has a recess/aperture adapted to allow removable attachment of a birdfeeder; and a connector that allows said first and second modules to be rigidly connected in generally side by side relationship.
2. A modular bird feeding centre according to Claim I wherein said connector comprises at least one portion formed integrally within the first module or the second module.
3. A modular bird feeding centre according to Claim 2 comprising a first recess or first protrusion in the first module that engages a second protrusion or second recess respectively in the second module.
4. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim comprising a hanger hook that may be attached to the first base member using said connector.
5. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has a plurality of side wails and wherein said connector is located at least in part on a side wall.
6. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has at least three equal sides that allow interchangeable attachment of further modules.
7. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has curved transitions between each side and the second module has a pair of flared corners that in use wrap around at least part of said curved transitions.
8. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein the first module comprises a tray.
9. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first module comprises a canopy supported above said first base member.
10. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein the second module has a base with three sides further comprising a rounded corner and two flared pointed corners.
11. A modular bird feeding centre comprising a first module having a first base member and a second module having a second base member and a connector integrally formed within at least one base member that allows the first module to be rigidly connected to the second module in generally side by side relationship.
12. A modular bird feeding centre comprising: a first module having a first base member wherein said first module has at least a first recess or protrusion; a second module comprising :. a second base member said second base member having at least one protrusion or recess that in use engages said first recess or said first protrusion of said first module so as to rigidly S...

connect said first and second base members in generally side by side relationship. *SSS * . S

SS S

*.
13. A modular birdfeeder centre according to any preceding claim wherein the birdfeeder is a tubular type feeder.

I I....

*
14. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein said first module has means that allow it to be attached to and/or supported by a pole.

12. A modular bird feeding centre comprising: a first module having a first base member wherein said first module has at least a first recess or protrusion; a second module comprising a second base member said second base member having at least one protrusion or recess that in use engages said first recess or said first protrusion of said first module so as to rigidly connect said first and second modules in generally side by side relationship.

13. A modular birdfeeder centre according to any preceding claim wherein the birdfeeder is a tubular type feeder.

14. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein said first module has means that allow it to be attached to and/or supported by a pole.

Amendments To The Claims Have Been Filed As Follows 1. A modular bird feeding centre comprising a first module having a first base member and a second module having a second base member and a connector integrally formed within at least one base member that allows the base member of the first module to be rigidly connected to the base member of the second module in generally side by side relationship.

2. A modular bird feeding centre comprising: a first module with a first base member and a second module with a second base member; wherein at least the base portion of a birdfeeder is integrally formed within the second base member or wherein the second base member has a recess/aperture adapted to allow removable attachment of a birdfeeder; and a connector that allows said first and second base members to be rigidly connected in generally side by side relationship.

3. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein said connector comprises at least one portion formed integrally within the first module or the second module. * . * **.

*** 4. A modular bird feeding centre according to Claim 23 comprising a first recess or first :::: protrusion in the first module that engages a second protrusion or second recess respectively * in the second module.

5. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim comprising a hanger hook * : * : that may be attached to the first base member using said connector.

6. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has a plurality of side walls and wherein said connector is located at least in part on a side wall.

7. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has at least three equal sides that allow interchangeable attachment of further modules.

8. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first base member has curved transitions between each side and the second module has a pair of flared corners that in use wrap around at least part of said curved transitions.

9. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein the first module comprises a tray.

10. A modular bird feeder according to any preceding claim wherein the first module comprises a canopy supported above said first base member.

11. A modular bird feeding centre according to any preceding claim wherein the second * module has a base with three sides further comprising a rounded corner and two flared pointed corners.