GB2572856A

GB2572856A - Bird feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2572856A
Application number: GB1902692.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: L Cote Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-02
Filing date: 2019-02-28
Publication date: 2019-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-28
Also published as: GB2598510A; GB2605478A; GB201803386D0; GB2598509A; GB202116846D0; GB202116837D0; GB2605674A; GB202116843D0; GB2605478B; GB2598508B; GB201902692D0; GB2598509B; GB202116835D0; GB202116834D0; GB2598508A; GB2572856B; GB2605674B

Abstract

A bird feeder which comprises a seed container 12 having at least one seed port to permit birds to have access to seed from the container, a shroud 18 extending about the seed port, the shroud being movable between a first position wherein access to the seed port is enabled and a second position wherein access to the seed port is denied, the bird feeder having a seed tube base 20 which is removably secured to a lower end of the seed container to enable the easy cleaning of the feeder. Further claimed embodiments include cover, hanger, base, water deflector and baffle arrangements and a U-shaped perch configuration.

Description

The present invention relates to bird feeders and improvements thereto.

The use of bird feeders is well known in the art. The feeding of birds, particularly during inclement weather, is widely practised. Most of the bird 5 feeders comprise a container which will house the seeds nr other bird feed and allow for distribution of the seed to the birds at positions whereby they can feed. Typically, the bird seed is allowed to feed by gravity to a position proximate to one or more bird perches upon which the bird can land and eat the seed.

Many different types of seed feeders are known and one particular type io includes that which is known as “squirrel proof’. These squirrel proof feeders incorporate a mechanism to prevent squirrels from feeding, Some of the mechanisms include weight sensitive technology which denies access to the seed when a weight above a certain predetermined amount lands on the perch. Other mechanisms use mechanical barriers such as baffles on poles.

When manufacturing the bird feeders, care must be taken that the weight sensitive mechanism either provides an adjustment or is predetermined and set by the factory'. Adjustment of the spring tension would be desirable.

All bird feeders include one type or other of a perch on which the bird can land to have access to the seed. A common type of perch is a stamped metal 20 piece which is cut and stamped and the piece secured to ths bird feeder, f requently, the perches are uncomfortable for some birds who will not remain for very long on the perch.

A further problem is that squirrels will attempt to chew at tire seed container to gain access to the seeds, When a baffle is involved, the squirrels 25 will attempt to use the baffle as a place where they can move on to an access field and without putting weight on the shroud.

-2A still further problem common to many bird feeders is the risk of spreading disease due to poorly maintained feed stations. The combination of moisture and seeds can result in the seeds becoming moldy or rancid. In order to obviate this problem, the feeders should be cleaned at a regular interval. This is frequently difficult to accomplish with the structure of many bird feeders.

In order to minimize the amount of cleaning required, it is desirable to minimize the access of rain or moisture to the interior of the feeder containing the seeds.

In order to minimize the amount of moisture, it would desirable to have a deflector to deflect water running down the seed tube.

Most bird feeders will have a cover which is secured to the seed tube and generally a rotatable locking mechanism is utilized. It is frequently preferred that the cover is disengaged from the seed tube and put aside during the filling thereof. While providing access to the seed tube, a removable cover can present a problem as far as dropping or displacing of the same,

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel arrangement for a cover for a bird feeder and a method of attaching the cover to die seed tube.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder which has an arrangement, for deflecting rain from flowing down the seed tube and moistening the feed within the seed tube.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder which has a removable base.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder having a perch structure which is comfortable for birds to perch on.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder which includes a baffle integrated with the shroud,

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder wherein the feeder includes an adjustable insert which can vary the spring tension.

- 3 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a bird feeder comprising a seed container, the seed container having at least one seed port to permit birds to have access to seed from the seed container, a shroud extending about the at least one seed port, the shroud being movable between a first position wherein access to the at least one seed port is enabled and a second position wherein access to the at least one seed port is denied; the seed container having a base; and a cover for an upper end of the seed container.

The base may comprise a base member secured to the seed container, a hollow tube extending upwardly from the base member and being located internally of the seed container, a rod extending within the hollow tube, a spring extending about a portion of the rod, the rod having a flange extending outwardly therefrom, a first end of the spring being biased against the flange, an insert secured to the base member, the insert extending upwardly into the hollow tube, a second end of the spring being biased against the insert, the rod having a lower end secured against a bottom portion of the shroud such that when a weight is placed on the shroud, the shroud moves downwardly to the second position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bird feeder comprising a seed tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end having feed openings therein, a top ring sitting on the upper end, the top ring having a top ring upper portion and a top ring lower portion, the top ring lower portion extending downwardly to engage with the upper end of the seed tube, the top ring upper portion having first and second slots formed therein, a cover removably secured io the top ring, the cover having first and second apertures formed therein, and a hanger having first and second end sections, each of the first and second end sections having an enlarged arrangement located thereat, each of the first and second end sections passing through a respective one of the first and second slots.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a bird feeder comprising a seed tube having a seed tube base, a plurality of feed openings in the seed tube base, and a deflector located above the seed ™ L~ tube base, the deflector extending outwardly above the feed openings, the deflector being designed to deflect water flowing downwardly from the seed tube to a location intermediate the feed openings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a bird feeder comprising a seed tube, the seed tube having an open top end and an open lower end, a cover arranged to sit on top of the open top end of the seed tube, the cover being removably attached to the seed tube, a seed tube base removably attached to the open lower end, the seed tube base having a bottom wall and a circular side wall, a plurality of feed openings in the circular side wall, and a shroud extending around the seed tube base, the shroud having shroud feed openings therein, the shroud feed openings being normally aligned with the feed openings in the circular side wall of the seed tube base, the shroud moving to a position wherein the shroud feed openings and tire feed openings in the circular side wall of the seed tube base are out of alignment when a weight above a predetermined amount is present on the shroud.

According to a still birther aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a bird feeder comprising a seed tube, the seed tube having an open top end and an open lower end, a cover arranged to sit on top of the open top end of the seed tube, the cover being removably attached to the seed tube, a seed tube base secured to the seed tube at the open lower end, the seed tube base having a circular side wail, feed openings being formed in the circular side wall, a shroud extending around the seed tube lower end, the shroud having feed openings therein, the shroud openings being normally aligned with the feed openings in the circular side wall of the seed tube base, the shroud moving to a position wherein the shroud feed openings and the feed openings in the seed tube are out of alignment when a weight above a predetermined weight is present on the shroud, and a baffle formed integrally with the shroud, the baffle being located above the feed openings in said shroud.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a bird feeder having a seed container and a seed access arrangement, a

-5perch structure located proximate die seed access area to permit a bird to land thereon to eat from the seed access area, the improvement comprising a plurality of perch members, at least one of the perch members having a somewhat generally inverted U-shaped configuration whereby when a bird perches on the 5 member, there are no sharp edges contacting the bird’s claws.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bird feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of tlie bottom portion of tlie bird feeder of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottom portion of a further embodiment of a bird feeder according to the present invention;

is Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the bird feeder of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of tlie bird feeder of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottom portion of a bird feeder when the shroud is lowered, denying access to the seed within tlie bird feeder;

Figure § is an enlarged perspective sectional view of die upper portion of a bird feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of a bird feeder when the cover is not secured to the bird feeder;

Figure 10 is a further sectional view of the bird feeder when tlie shroud is 25 misaligned with the seed tube;

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of the bird feeder;

Figure 12 is a side cutaway view of the lower portion of the bird feeder;

Figure 13 is an exploded view showing the funnel and base portion of the 30 bird feeder;

- 6 Figure 14 is a side elevations! view of the bird feeder;

Figure 15 is a perspective cutaway view of the upper portion of a further embodiment of the bird feeder;

Figure 16 is a partially exploded view of the upper portion of the bird feeder as shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the funnel member of the bird feeder;

Figure 18 is a sectional view thereof;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of an inner rod member of the bird feeder;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the base member and securement thereof to the funnel member and seed tube.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a bird feeder of the squirrel resistant type and which bird feeder is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

Bird feeder 10 is comprised of a seed tube generally designated by reference numeral 12, a cover generally designated by reference numeral 14, a hanger generally designated by reference numeral 16, a shroud generally designated by reference numeral 18, and a stand (forming a portion of shroud 18) generally designated by reference numeral 20. Bird feeder 10 also includes a funnel generally designated by reference numeral 22 and a seed tube base generally designated by reference numeral 24,

Seed tube 12 defines a seed container having a cylindrical wall 28. Seed tube 12 has an open upper end 30 and an open lower end 32.

Located at open upper end 30 is a an upper ring 34 which sits on seed tube 12. Upper ring 34 includes a lower circular wall 36 and an upwardly tapering wall 38. Upper ring 34 also includes an upper side wall 40 which has protrusions 42 extending outwardly therefrom. Preferably, there are provided a pair of such protrusions 42 each being diametrically opposed to the other. A pair of recesses 44 are provided in upper side wall 40 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow'. Also, an upwardly extending wall 46 defines a slot 48. There are two such structures located on upper ring 34.

-7Cover 14, as may be seen in Figures 8 and 9, has a domed top wall 52 and a vertical side wall 54 extending downwardly therefrom. There is also provided a sloping wall 56 which terminates in a drip edge 58. Protrusions 60 are provided on the inner surface of vertical side wall 54. Preferably four such protrusions are provided. A pair of diametrically opposed protrusions 60 are designed to engage with protrusions 42 to hold the cover in position. A second pair of protrusions 60 engage widiin recesses 44 as is known in the art. Cover 14 also has a pair of recesses 62 formed in domed top wall 52 with an aperture 64 being located thereat.

Hanger 16 comprises a relatively stiff wire 68. Wire 68 passes through aperture 64 and is provided with an enlarged portion 70 which sits under upper ring 34 and is thereby retained in position. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, wire 68 passes through cylindrical wall 28 with enlarged portion 70 retaining the wire.

Funnel 22, best illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, has an upper wall 76 with a plurality of protrusions 78 being formed thereon. Each protrusion 78 is designed to fit within an aperture formed in the bottom portion of cylindrical wall 28 of seed tube 12. To aid in locking and unlocking, a sloping wall 80 is provided thereon.

Funnel 22 also has a lower wall 82 which is funnel shaped, to help direct seeds as will be discussed hereinbelow. A middle wall section 84 extends downwardly from upper wall 76 and is spaced from lower wall 82. Threads 86 are provided on the Interior of middle wall 84. A drainage member 88 extends outwardly from middle wall section 84 and has a U-shaped drainage channel 90 formed therein for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. It will be noted that there are gaps 92 between sections of middle wall section 84 to direct any water away from the feed openings.

Seed tube base 24, as may be seen in Figure 13, has an upper side wall 98 which has a plurality of threads 100 thereon. Threads 100 are designed to engage with threads 86 formed on middle wall section 84 of funnel 22. A ~8~ plurality of feed openings 102 are provided in side wall 96 of seed tube base 24, As will be noted, there is provided a rim protrusion 104 which extends partially about die upper portion of feed openings 102, This arrangement allows rainwater to pass to the side of the feed openings 102,

Shroud 18 has a lower side wall 108 with a plurality of feed openings 110 therein. An upper side wall 112 is directed to lower side wall 108. A baffle 114 extends circumferentially around die shroud and is located on upper side wall 112 such that it is above feed openings 110 to provide protection from the weather such as rain. It is obviously important that the baffle is located above the feed openings while also being close to the feed openings. An interior bottom wall has a plurality of drainage apertures 116 formed therein.

Located inwardly of the seed tube base is a longitudinally extending post generally designated by reference numeral 120. Post 120 is formed of a cylindrical wall 121 having a top wall 123. Located internally of post 120 is a rod 122 which has a flange 124 formed at the top end thereof. A lower portion 126 of rod 122 has screwthreads 128 formed thereon. Extending about rod 122 is a coil spring 130 which has a first end biased against top flange 124. An insert 132 is provided and is connected to the seed tube base by means of screws 134. A cap 136 is screwthreadedly engaged with lower portion 126 by screwthreaded engagement with screwthreads 128,

Insert 132, as may be seen in Figure 7, has a cylindrical wall 152 which extends upwardly within post 120. Insert 132 also has a top wall 154 on cylindrical wall 152 and which top wall 154 functions as a stop to bias the lower end of coil spring 130.

An advantage of insert 132 is that it permits different sizing to be used to vary the compression of coil spring 130. Thus, if spring 130 happens to be of a different strength than normal, the length of cylindrical wall 152 may be varied. Insert 132 could also be used to vary the weight needed to move shroud 18 downwardly.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, rod 122 has an enlarged portion 123 at its upper end.

Stand 20, as seen in the drawings, also functions as a perch for the birds. Stand or perch 20 is comprised of a plurality of circular elements 130 which 5 extend completely around tire shroud. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two such circular elements although more may be utilized if so desired. A plurality of radial elements 142 extend between and connect circular elements 140. A plurality of gaps 144 are formed by this structure,

Each of circular elements 1.40 and radial elements 142 is designed to have io a somewhat flat upper surface 146. On each side of upper surface 146, a pair of side walls 148 extend downwardly. The transition between upper surface 146 and side walls 148 is provided by arcuate comers 150.

The arrangement is such that no sharp comers are present when the birds land on circular elements 140 or radial elements 142. The birds appear to be 15 more comfortable with this arrangement.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bird feeder comprising:

a seed container, said seed container having at least one seed port to permit birds to have access to seed from said container:

a shroud extending about said at least one seed port, said shroud being movable between a first position wherein access to said at least one seed port is enabled, and a second position wherein access to said at least one seed port is denied;

said seed container having a base: and a cover for an upper end of said seed container.

2. The bird feeder of Claim 1 or 2, wherein said bird feeder further includes a perch structure located proximate said at least one seed port to permit a bird to land thereon to eat from said at least one seed port, said perch comprising a plurality of perch members, at least one of said perch members having a generally U-shaped configuration whereby when a bird perches on said member no sharp edges contact the bird’s claws.

3. The bird feeder of Claim lor 2, wherein said base comprises a base member secured to the seed container, a hollow tube extending upwardly from the base member and being located interiorly of said seed container, a rod extending within said hollow tube, a spring extending about a portion of said rod. said rod having a flange extending outwardly therefrom, a first end of said spring being biased against said flange, an insert secured to said base member, said insert extending upwardly into said hollow tube, a second end of said spring being biased against said insert, said rod having a lower end secured to the bottom portion of said shroud such that when a weight is placed on said shroud, said shroud will move downwardly to said second position,

4. The bird feeder of Claim 1, 2 or 3 further including a baffle formed integrally with said shroud, said baffle being located above said at least one seed opening.

5. The bird feeder of any preceding Claim, wherein said base comprises a seed tube base removably attached to a lower end of said seed container, said seed tube base having a bottom wall and a circular side wall, a plurality of feed openings in said circular side wall,

6. The bird feeder of any preceding Claim, wherein said base comprises a seed tube base secured to said seed tube, a plurality of feed openings in said seed tube base, and a deflector located above said seed tube base, said deflector extending outwardly above said feed openings, said deflector being designed to deflect water flowing downwardly from said seed tube to a location intermediate said feed openings.

7. The bird feeder of Claim 6, wherein said seed tube base is screwthreadedly engaged with said open lower end of said seed tube.

8. The bird feeder of Claim 7 further including a funnel member secured to said seed tube lower end, said seed tube lower end being screwthreadedly engaged with said funnel member.

9. The bird feeder of Ciaim 6, 7 or 8, wherein said seed tube base includes drainage apertures in said bottom wall.

10. A bird feeder comprising:

a seed tube having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end having feed openings therein;

a top ring sitting on said upper end, said top ring having a top ring upper portion and a top ring lower portion, said top ring lower portion extending downwardly to engage with said upper end of said seed tube, said top ring upper portion having first and second slots formed therein;

-12a cover removably secured to said top ring, said cover having first and second apertures formed therein; and a hanger having first and second end sections, each of said first and second end sections having an eniarged arrangement iocated thereat, each of said first and second end sections passing through a respective one of said first and second slots.

11. The bird feeder of Claim 10, wherein said hanger is formed of a flexible material.

12. The bird feeder of Claim 10, wherein said hanger is formed of a rigid material.

13. The bird feeder of Claim 11, wherein said flexible material is a metallic wire.

14. The bird feeder of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein said enlarged arrangements located at the first and second end sections of said hanger comprise a slug affixed to each of said end sections, said slug being sized larger than said slot.

15. The bird feeder of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein said cover has a domed top wall, a cover side wall contiguous with an outer edge of said domed top wall, and an outwardly sloping wall, a drip edge being heated at the outer extremity of said outwardly and downwardly sloping wail,

16. The bird feeder of Claim 15. wherein said cover side wall has a plurality of protrusions formed on an inner surface thereof.

17. The bird feeder of any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein said top ring has a top ring side wall extending downwardly from said top ring upper portion.

18. The bird feeder of Claim 17, wherein said top ring side wail has at least one outwardly extending protrusion formed thereon,

19. The bird feeder of Claims 16 and 18, wherein said plurality of protrusions on said cover side wall are arranged such that at least one of said protrusions engages with one of said outwardly extending protrusions on said top ring side wall to lock said cover in place.

20. The bird feeder of Claim 16, wherein said cover side wall has at least one recess formed therein, said at least one recess being arranged to receive one of said protrusions formed on said cover side wall to lock said cover with said top ring.

21. The bird feeder of any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein said top ring lower portion engages with an outer surface of said seed tube,

22. The bird feeder of any one of claims 10 to 21, wherein said hanger passes through an aperture formed in said upper end of said seed tube, said enlarged arrangement at each of said first and second end sections being located inwardly of said seed tube.

23. A bird feeder comprising:

a seed tube having a seed tube base;

a plurality of feed openings in said seed tube base; and a deflector located above said seed tube base, said deflector extending outwardly above said feed openings, said deflector being designed to deflect water flowing downwardly from said seed tube to a location intermediate said feed openings.

24. A bird feeder comprising:

a seed tube, said seed tube having an open top end and an open lower end;

a cover arranged to sit an tap of said open top end of said seed

5 tube, said cover being removably attached to said seed tube;

a seed tube base removably attached to said open lower end, said seed tube base having a battam wall and a circular side wall, a plurality of feed openings in said circular side wall;

a shroud extending around said seed tube base, said shroud

10 having shraud feed openings therein, said shroud feed openings being normally aligned with said feed openings in said circular side wall of said seed tube base, said shroud moving to a position wherein said shroud feed openings and said feed openings in said circular side wall of said seed tube base are out of alignment when a weight above a predetermined amount is present on said 15 shroud.

25. A bird feeder comprising:

a seed tube, said seed tube having an open top end and an open lower end;

2ΰ a cover arranged to sit on top of said open top end of said seed tube, said caver being removably attached to said seed tube;

a seed tube base secured to said seed tube at said open lower end, said seed tube base having a circular side wall, feed openings being formed in said circular side wall;

25 a shroud extending around said seed tube lower end, said shroud having feed openings therein, said shroud openings being normally aligned with said feed openings in said circular side wall of said seed tube base, said shroud moving to a position wherein said shroud feed openings and said feed openings in said seed tube are out of alignment when a weight above a

30 predetermined weight is present on said shroud; and a baffle formed integrally with said shroud, said baffle being located above said feed openings in said shroud.

26. A bird feeder having a seed container and a seed access arrangement, a perch structure located proximate said seed access area to permit a bird to land thereon to eat from said seed access area, the improvement comprising a plurality of perch members, at least one of said perch members having a somewhat generally inverted U-shaped configuration whereby when a bird perches on said member, there are no sharp edges contacting the bird's claws.