US20080156268A1 - Thistle bird feeder - Google Patents
Thistle bird feeder Download PDFInfo
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- US20080156268A1 US20080156268A1 US12/006,568 US656808A US2008156268A1 US 20080156268 A1 US20080156268 A1 US 20080156268A1 US 656808 A US656808 A US 656808A US 2008156268 A1 US2008156268 A1 US 2008156268A1
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- feeder
- bird
- cable
- cover
- bird feeder
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- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000287227 Fringillidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000269799 Perca fluviatilis Species 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
- A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
- A01K39/012—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders filling automatically, e.g. by gravity from a reserve
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
- A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
- A01K39/0106—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders for solid feed, e.g. grit-cake holders
Definitions
- the present invention relates to bird feeders and, more particularly, to a thistle bird feeder designed and developed to make the feeding of smaller birds easier, cleaner, and more useful to the caretaker.
- Thistle bird feeders have been around for a long time and are known in the art. These types of feeders are typically used with smaller seeds such as, for example, thistle seeds or similar sized type seeds.
- the seeds are generally poured into and housed in a container where they are made available to birds through small holes or similarly sized openings in the container or some form of provided polyester sock or wire mesh.
- the thistle bird feeder is then hung for ease of access by the birds. Small birds such as finches can then either perch adjacent to the container or stand on the sock or wire mesh and eat the small seeds through the openings.
- the present invention is a thistle bird feeder comprising a container and a plurality of feeder bags.
- a cable extends through the container and is provided with a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end for retaining the components of the bird feeder between them and suspending the bird feeder in a hanging position when hung from a tree or otherwise.
- the container comprises and is formed by a cover, a dome, and a collar.
- the cover is provided with a star shaped opening that frictionally engages with the hanging cable for enabling the separation of the cover from the dome to fill the bird feeder when the bird feeder is in the hanging position.
- the collar comprises a plurality of divider walls for creating a plurality of sections or compartments to direct or funnel the bird feed into individually separated feeder bags corresponding to each section or compartment when filling the bird feeder.
- Adjacent each section or compartment is a telescoping column and a plurality of hooks for releaseably attaching or fastening to an elastic band secured to the feeder bag.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of Applicant's thistle bird feeder in its assembled form and further illustrating the bird feeder completely filled with seed and dispensing the seed in four feeder bags accessible by perching birds.
- FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the cover as detached from the dome to create an opening for filling the thistle bird feeder.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the various components used for forming the assembled device.
- FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the locking means for releaseably attaching or fastening the cover to the dome.
- FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder in its assembled form and further illustrating the bird feeder completely filled with seed and dispensing the seed in two feeder bags accessible by perching birds.
- FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the cover as detached from the dome to create an opening for filling the thistle bird feeder.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the various components used for forming the assembled device.
- FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the locking means for releaseably attaching or fastening the cover to the dome in this alternate embodiment.
- FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar in this alternate embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 4 , and in particular illustrating the attachment of the feeder bag to the device and the funneling of the bird seed into the feeder bag.
- FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 7 A- 7 A of FIG. 7 , illustrating the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar.
- FIG. 8 is a top view of the thistle bird feeder, taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the thistle bird feeder, taken along line 9 - 9 of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the means for attaching the feeder bag to the device.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the means for attaching the feeder bag to the device.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 11 , and in particular illustrating the securing means for releaseably attaching or fastening an elastic band to the feeder bag.
- the thistle bird feeder 20 comprises a container 22 , feeder bags 24 , and a hanging cable 26 .
- the container 22 comprises a cover 28 , a dome 30 , and a collar 32 .
- the bird feeder 20 is filled with bird seed 34 which includes but is not limited to various thistle seeds or any other type of similar sized bird seed. This seed is made available to birds 36 standing or perched directly on the feeder bags 24 .
- the cover 28 is releaseably attached or fastened to the dome 30 using a locking means 38 , as illustrated in FIG. 3A .
- the locking means 38 comprises a latch 40 integrally molded with the exterior edge 42 of the cover 28 .
- the latch 40 comprises a recessed wall 44 and a ledge 46 extending outwardly and perpendicular from the recessed wall 44 .
- the ledge 46 is located on the recessed wall 44 a distance 48 below the exterior edge 42 .
- the ledge 46 provides a top surface 50 that is adjacent and parallel to a bottom surface 52 provided by the exterior edge 42 .
- the dome 30 comprises an open top 54 having a rim 56 . Situated within the rim 56 is a latch hole 58 providing access to a chamber 60 having opposed sidewalls 62 and 64 .
- the ledge 46 of the latch 40 is inserted through the latch hole 58 and into the chamber 60 .
- the ledge 46 is then moved in the direction of arrow A toward sidewall 62 .
- the sidewall 62 acts as a stopping means for preventing the ledge 46 from moving any further within the chamber 60 .
- the ledge 46 encounters a detent member 66 which requires additional pressure to force the ledge 46 past the detent member 66 to reach the sidewall 62 and a locked position.
- the sidewall 62 and the detent member 66 coact to prevent the ledge 46 from being easily or accidentally bumped or pushed in either direction from this locked position.
- the bottom surface 52 of the exterior edge 42 , the recessed wall 44 of the latch 40 , and the top surface 50 of the ledge 46 collectively become engagingly mated with the rim 56 for completing the locking means 38 and achieving a secure, waterproof seal and fit between the cover 28 and the dome 30 .
- This locking means 38 is also designed to prevent the undesired rotation of the cover 28 in relation to the dome 30 .
- the sidewall 64 then acts as the stopping mechanism to stop the movement of the ledge 46 within the chamber 60 for alignment in tandem with the latch hole 58 for removal of the ledge 46 back through the latch hole 58 and releasing the cover 28 from the dome 30 .
- this locking means 38 is used in four equally spaced locations around the perimeter of the cover 28 and the dome 30 for achieving the most efficient and secure attachment of the cover 28 to the dome 30 .
- any number of locking means 38 may be used by one skilled in the art.
- a raised cap 68 is used ( FIG. 3 ).
- the raised cap 68 comprises a plurality of finger walls 70 .
- the finger walls 70 preferably extend upwardly in a substantially vertical or perpendicular relationship to the cover 28 .
- a clearing 72 is created between the finger walls 70 and the cover 28 enabling one to engage the finger walls 70 to manipulate the raised cap 68 for moving or laterally turning the cover 28 .
- the engagement of the raised cap 68 and finger walls 70 is accomplished by a person using different fingers to apply inward pressure on one or more of the finger walls 70 . This pressure enables the person to grasp the raised cap 68 and move or laterally turn the cover 28 .
- the engagement and manipulation of the raised cap 68 may be accomplished by any other means known to one skilled in the art.
- the raised cap 68 is also provided with a star shaped opening 74 having a center 76 and a plurality of slits 78 forming a plurality of adjacent teeth. Penetrating through the center 76 of the star shaped opening 74 is the hanging cable 26 (see also FIG. 2 ). The hanging cable 26 then terminates in a hanging loop 80 formed or created by the folding of the hanging cable 26 and which is secured by a locking crimp 82 . The hanging loop 80 is then used to freely hang the bird feeder 20 from any desired location.
- the star shaped opening 74 , the center 76 , and the plurality of slits 78 are also further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
- the cover 28 When the cover 28 is released from the dome 30 , as illustrated, the cover 28 can be raised or elevated anywhere along the hanging cable 26 up to and adjacent the locking crimp 82 of the hanging loop 80 . This creates a separation distance 84 from the dome 30 . As the cover 28 is being raised or elevated, the force being applied on the cover 28 to raise or elevate the cover 28 is sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement between the hanging cable 26 and the star shaped opening 74 within the cover 28 . When the cover 28 reaches a desired position along the hanging cable 26 , the frictional engagement between the hanging cable 26 and star shaped opening 74 is sufficient to overcome the gravitational pull on the cover 28 and thereby freely retain the cover 28 in that desired position on the hanging cable 26 .
- the separation distance 84 created between the cover 28 and the dome 30 enables the bird seed 34 to be poured into the open top 54 of the dome 30 for filling or re-filling the bird feeder 20 .
- This process is preferably accomplished while the bird feeder 20 is being hung. Alternatively, this process may be accomplished after the bird feeder 20 has been retrieved from the location that it is being hung.
- the cover 28 and dome 30 again unite to provide a waterproof seal for protecting the bird seeds 34 from the elements.
- the dome 30 is releaseably attached or fastened to the collar 32 using a fastening means 86 , as illustrated in FIG. 3B .
- the dome 30 comprises a recessed hole 88 surrounded by a sloping wall 90 and sidewalls 92 .
- the collar 32 preferably comprises an outer surface 94 having an outwardly extending ledge 96 and an adjacent brim 98 .
- the ledge 96 comprises a tapered top surface 100 and a flat bottom surface 102 which is positioned parallel and opposed to the brim 98 . Situated between the flat bottom surface 102 of the ledge 96 and the brim 98 is a hole 104 .
- the dome 30 is slid over the outer surface 94 of the collar 32 until the recessed hole 88 is positioned above the ledge 96 .
- the dome 30 is pressed against the outer surface 94 of the collar 32 until the ledge 96 is penetrated through the recessed hole 88 .
- the sidewalls 92 likewise become frictionally engaged with the sides of the ledge 96 .
- a portion 106 of the dome 30 is frictionally received and held between the flat bottom surface 102 of the ledge 96 and the brim 98 for completing the fastening means 86 and achieving a secure, waterproof seal and fit between the dome 30 and the collar 32 .
- a cross-section of this attachment is further illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A .
- This fastening means 86 is also designed to prevent the undesired rotation or movement of the dome 30 in relation to the collar 32 .
- the fastening means 86 When the fastening means 86 is desired to be released, depressing upon the tapered top surface 100 of the ledge 96 will force the outer surface 94 to push away from the dome 30 and the ledge 96 to push away from the recessed hole 88 for releasing the ledge 96 from the recessed hole 88 . As this occurs, the portion 106 of the dome 30 simultaneously becomes released from the frictional engagement between the flat bottom surface 102 of the ledge 96 and the brim 98 .
- the depression can be caused by a person's finger, a screw-driver, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
- the sloping wall 90 is designed to slope inwardly toward the tapered top surface 100 of the ledge 96 .
- the sloping wall 90 permits easier access to the ledge 96 and directionally guides any depression means directly to the ledge 96 .
- the collar 32 is provided with a V-shaped internal wall 108 that provides a spacing cushion 110 to account for and enable this movement. Once completed, the dome 30 is released from the collar 32 .
- this fastening means 86 is used in four equally spaced locations around the perimeter of the dome 30 and collar 32 for achieving the most efficient and secure attachment of the dome 30 to the collar 32 .
- any number of fastening means 86 may be used by one skilled in the art.
- an inner wall 112 that supports a plurality of divider walls 114 separating the collar 32 into a plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- the plurality of divider walls 114 is four which creates an equal number of plurality of sections or compartments 116 of four.
- the plurality of divider walls 114 may be two, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , for creating an equal number of plurality of sections or compartments 116 of two.
- the collar 32 may be designed with no divider walls 114 creating a single section or compartment 116 , as used in FIG. 10 .
- the collar 32 may be designed with any number of divider walls 114 for creating any number of sections or compartment 116 , either equal to, more, or less than the number of divider walls 114 as desired by one skilled in the art.
- the plurality of divider walls 114 are fixedly secured, at one end, to the inner wall 112 .
- the plurality of divider walls 114 are integrally molded to the inner wall 112 .
- any other means may be used by a person skilled in the art for fixedly securing the plurality of divider walls 114 to the inner wall 112 .
- the plurality of divider walls 114 converge and attach to a shared vertical tube 118 .
- each of the plurality of divider walls 114 comprises a top portion 122 situated in a vertical orientation and a bottom portion 124 angled inwardly into the plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- Each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116 forms an individual storage area for holding excess bird seed 34 until needed and then, when needed, funnels the bird seed 34 through a feeder port 126 into a separately attached, individual feeder bag 24 correspondingly aligned with each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- the funneling of the bird seed 34 through the feeder port 126 and into each feeder bag 24 is further illustrated in FIG. 7 .
- the combination of the dome 30 and the collar 32 provide a width that is sufficiently large to assist in providing a covering means for the birds 36 when the birds 36 are standing or perched on the feeder bags 24 .
- This covering means assists in protecting the birds 36 from the elements such as rain, snow, sun, or otherwise when the birds 36 are feeding.
- FIGS. 4-6 an alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder 20 is illustrated.
- the raised cap 68 , the cover 28 , the dome 30 , the collar 32 , and the hanging cable 26 are the exact same as the original embodiment, discussed above.
- the cover 28 , the dome 30 , and the collar 32 are also releaseably attached or fastened to one another in the exact same manner.
- the difference with this alternate embodiment is that the inside of the collar 32 is designed with only a plurality of divider walls 114 of two for creating an equal number of plurality of sections or compartments 116 of only two.
- each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116 can funnel more bird seed 34 through the feeder port 126 and into the separately attached, individual feeder bags 24 correspondingly aligned with each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- this alternate embodiment for the thistle bird feeder 20 requires less frequent refilling and provides more available bird seed 34 for continually refilling the feeder bags 24 available to the birds 36 .
- the feeder bag 24 is preferably made of a polyester or nylon mesh sock or any other suitable material that accomplishes the purposes described herein and is known to one skilled in the art.
- the feeder bag 24 may comprise any variation of size, shape, or contain any desired volume of bird seed 34 .
- the feeder bag 24 is releaseably attached or fastened to the collar 32 using attachment means 128 , as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 .
- a telescoping column 130 extends downwardly from the collar 32 . Situated along an exterior wall 134 of the telescoping column 130 is a plurality of hooks 132 .
- the plurality of hooks 132 comprise a support arm 136 integrally molded with a finger wall 138 .
- the feeder bag 24 comprises an elastic band 142 secured into the proximal end 144 of the feeder bag 24 using a securing means 146 ( FIG. 12 ).
- the securing means 146 comprises an end 150 of the feeder bag 24 being folded over, inserted into the opening 154 of the feeder bag 24 , and then bound to the interior side 148 of the feeder bag 24 . It is contemplated that the end 150 of the feeder bag 24 may be bound to the interior side 148 of the feeder bag 24 by stitching or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
- a sleeve 152 is formed within the feeder bag 24 at the proximal end 144 to retain the elastic band 142 .
- the elastic band 142 is stretched from a normal flex to an expanded flex for enlarging the opening 154 in the feeder bag 24 and the elastic band 142 to fit around the exterior wall 134 of the telescoping column 130 and the plurality of hooks 132 surrounding the telescoping column 130 .
- the enlarged feeder bag 24 and expanded flex of the elastic band 142 are slid upwardly and over the plurality of hooks 132 .
- the stretching or expanded flex of the elastic band 142 is then released allowing the elastic band 142 to return to the normal flex around the exterior wall 134 of the telescoping column 130 .
- the normal flex of the elastic band 142 retains some elasticity and compression force on the exterior wall 134 of the telescoping column 130 .
- the elastic band 142 may not provide much, if any, compression force on the exterior wall 134 of the telescoping column 130 .
- the hanging cable 26 passes through a base 158 in the vertical tube 118 and then terminates in a knot 156 .
- a stopper 160 connected to the hanging cable 26 .
- the stopper 160 may be any component and connected or attached to the hanging cable 26 by any means known to one skilled in the art provided that the stopper 160 is sufficiently connected or attached to the hanging cable 26 to support the gravitational pull and weight of the bird feeder 20 when hung.
- the gravitational pull and weight of the bird feeder 20 will force or pull the bird feeder 20 in a downward direction on the hanging cable 26 .
- the stopper 160 will be forced to engage with and become gravitationally mated with the base 158 of the vertical tube 118 . In this manner, the bird feeder 20 and all of the assembled components are freely hung and suspended as desired.
- the bird feeder 20 may be in the hanging position as hung by the hanging cable 26 from the hanging loop 80 or, alternatively, on a table or other supporting means known to one skilled in the art. If in the hanging position, the cover 28 is then separated from the dome 30 as previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, if not in the hanging position, the cover 28 and/or the dome 30 may be removed for filling the bird feeder 20 . Bird seed 34 can then be poured into the open top 54 of the dome 30 .
- the bird seed 34 As the bird seed 34 is poured into the dome 30 , the bird seed 34 continues through the dome 30 and is separated by the collar 32 through the use of the divider walls 114 redirecting the bird seed 34 into any one or more of the plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- the bird seed 34 is gravity fed as it then passes through the feeder ports 126 in the plurality of sections or compartments 116 .
- the inwardly angled bottom portion 124 of the divider walls 114 also further directs the bird seed 34 through the plurality of sections or compartments 116 toward the feeder ports 126 .
- the bird seed 34 Once in the feeder ports 126 , the bird seed 34 is funneled through the telescoping column 130 ( FIGS.
- the bird seed 34 is made available to the birds 36 for feeding.
- the extra bird seed 34 will continue to collect within the plurality of sections or compartments 116 and upwards within the dome 30 until the bird feeder 20 becomes completely full, as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the bird seed 34 can be filled up to the rim 56 of the dome 30 prior to the attachment of the cover 28 to the dome 30 .
- the dome 30 is made of a transparent material or, alternatively, of any non-transparent material desired by one skilled in the art.
- the use of plurality of sections or compartments 116 supplying the other feeder bags 24 prevents the bird feeder 20 from losing all of the loaded bird seed 34 to the ground from or through the one individual, unusable or leaking feeder bag 24 .
- a feeder bag 24 could become unusable through an excessive larger hole being created in it, being torn down by a squirrel or other rodent, etc. . . .
- the bird feeder 20 can hold a large amount of bird seed 34 for automatically feeding seed into each of the individual feeder bags 24 below. In this way, the caretaker can fill the bird feeder 20 and the feeder bags 24 much less frequently.
- the individual feeder bag 24 is automatically and continually refilled until the bird feeder 20 and corresponding section or compartment 16 serving the feeder bag 24 becomes empty.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
- Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
Abstract
A thistle bird feeder comprising a container and a plurality of feeder bags. A cable extends through the container and is provided with a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end for retaining the components of the bird feeder between them and suspending the bird feeder in a hanging position when hung from a tree or otherwise. The container comprises and is formed by a cover, a dome, and a collar. The cover is provided with a star shaped opening that frictionally engages with the hanging cable for enabling the separation of the cover from the dome to fill the bird feeder when the bird feeder is in the hanging position. The collar comprises a plurality of divider walls for creating a plurality of sections or compartments to direct or funnel the bird feed into individually separated feeder bags corresponding to each section or compartment when filling the bird feeder. Adjacent each section or compartment is a telescoping column and a plurality of hooks for releaseably attaching or fastening to an elastic band secured to the feeder bag.
Description
- This patent application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/878,241, entitled “Thistle Bird Feeder and Wild Bird Feeder”, filed on Jan. 3, 2007, and is fully incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to bird feeders and, more particularly, to a thistle bird feeder designed and developed to make the feeding of smaller birds easier, cleaner, and more useful to the caretaker.
- Thistle bird feeders have been around for a long time and are known in the art. These types of feeders are typically used with smaller seeds such as, for example, thistle seeds or similar sized type seeds. The seeds are generally poured into and housed in a container where they are made available to birds through small holes or similarly sized openings in the container or some form of provided polyester sock or wire mesh. The thistle bird feeder is then hung for ease of access by the birds. Small birds such as finches can then either perch adjacent to the container or stand on the sock or wire mesh and eat the small seeds through the openings.
- One of the problems with these type of feeders is that when the bird feeder becomes empty, the bird feeder must be retrieved from where it is hanging, necessary components or parts of the bird feeder opened or removed to obtain access to the container, replenishing the seeds into the container or sock or wire mesh, and/or having to replace the entire container, sock, or wire mesh altogether, and then re-hanging the bird feeder. This process of re-filling the bird feeder is cumbersome and not convenient. Applicant has, however, designed a thistle bird feeder that solves these problems and provides other useful benefits. Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's unique thistle bird feeder.
- The present invention is a thistle bird feeder comprising a container and a plurality of feeder bags. A cable extends through the container and is provided with a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end for retaining the components of the bird feeder between them and suspending the bird feeder in a hanging position when hung from a tree or otherwise. The container comprises and is formed by a cover, a dome, and a collar. The cover is provided with a star shaped opening that frictionally engages with the hanging cable for enabling the separation of the cover from the dome to fill the bird feeder when the bird feeder is in the hanging position. The collar comprises a plurality of divider walls for creating a plurality of sections or compartments to direct or funnel the bird feed into individually separated feeder bags corresponding to each section or compartment when filling the bird feeder. Adjacent each section or compartment is a telescoping column and a plurality of hooks for releaseably attaching or fastening to an elastic band secured to the feeder bag.
- The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of Applicant's thistle bird feeder in its assembled form and further illustrating the bird feeder completely filled with seed and dispensing the seed in four feeder bags accessible by perching birds. -
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the cover as detached from the dome to create an opening for filling the thistle bird feeder. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the various components used for forming the assembled device. -
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the locking means for releaseably attaching or fastening the cover to the dome. -
FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder in its assembled form and further illustrating the bird feeder completely filled with seed and dispensing the seed in two feeder bags accessible by perching birds. -
FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the cover as detached from the dome to create an opening for filling the thistle bird feeder. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the various components used for forming the assembled device. -
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the locking means for releaseably attaching or fastening the cover to the dome in this alternate embodiment. -
FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar in this alternate embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 4 , and in particular illustrating the attachment of the feeder bag to the device and the funneling of the bird seed into the feeder bag. -
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 7A-7A ofFIG. 7 , illustrating the fastening means for releaseably attaching or fastening the dome to the collar. -
FIG. 8 is a top view of the thistle bird feeder, taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the thistle bird feeder, taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder and, in particular, illustrating the means for attaching the feeder bag to the device. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the means for attaching the feeder bag to the device. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 12-12 ofFIG. 11 , and in particular illustrating the securing means for releaseably attaching or fastening an elastic band to the feeder bag. - Turning to
FIG. 1 , Applicant'sthistle bird feeder 20 is illustrated. Thethistle bird feeder 20 comprises acontainer 22,feeder bags 24, and ahanging cable 26. In the preferred embodiment, thecontainer 22 comprises acover 28, adome 30, and acollar 32. - As illustrated, the
bird feeder 20 is filled withbird seed 34 which includes but is not limited to various thistle seeds or any other type of similar sized bird seed. This seed is made available tobirds 36 standing or perched directly on thefeeder bags 24. - The components of the
bird feeder 20 and the assembly of these components are more clearly illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 . In the preferred embodiment, thecover 28 is releaseably attached or fastened to thedome 30 using a locking means 38, as illustrated inFIG. 3A . The locking means 38 comprises alatch 40 integrally molded with theexterior edge 42 of thecover 28. Thelatch 40 comprises arecessed wall 44 and aledge 46 extending outwardly and perpendicular from therecessed wall 44. In the preferred embodiment, theledge 46 is located on the recessed wall 44 adistance 48 below theexterior edge 42. In this manner, theledge 46 provides a top surface 50 that is adjacent and parallel to abottom surface 52 provided by theexterior edge 42. In the preferred embodiment, thedome 30 comprises anopen top 54 having arim 56. Situated within therim 56 is alatch hole 58 providing access to achamber 60 having opposedsidewalls - To use the locking means 38, the
ledge 46 of thelatch 40 is inserted through thelatch hole 58 and into thechamber 60. Theledge 46 is then moved in the direction of arrow A towardsidewall 62. Thesidewall 62 acts as a stopping means for preventing theledge 46 from moving any further within thechamber 60. As theledge 46 is moved in the direction of arrow A, theledge 46 encounters adetent member 66 which requires additional pressure to force theledge 46 past thedetent member 66 to reach thesidewall 62 and a locked position. When theledge 46 reaches thesidewall 62, thesidewall 62 and thedetent member 66 coact to prevent theledge 46 from being easily or accidentally bumped or pushed in either direction from this locked position. Also, while theledge 46 is in thechamber 60 and moving toward the locked position, thebottom surface 52 of theexterior edge 42, the recessedwall 44 of thelatch 40, and the top surface 50 of theledge 46 collectively become engagingly mated with therim 56 for completing the locking means 38 and achieving a secure, waterproof seal and fit between thecover 28 and thedome 30. This locking means 38 is also designed to prevent the undesired rotation of thecover 28 in relation to thedome 30. When the locking means 38 is desired to be released, the reverse procedure is followed. Thesidewall 64 then acts as the stopping mechanism to stop the movement of theledge 46 within thechamber 60 for alignment in tandem with thelatch hole 58 for removal of theledge 46 back through thelatch hole 58 and releasing thecover 28 from thedome 30. - In the preferred embodiment, this locking means 38 is used in four equally spaced locations around the perimeter of the
cover 28 and thedome 30 for achieving the most efficient and secure attachment of thecover 28 to thedome 30. Alternatively, it is contemplated that any number of locking means 38 may be used by one skilled in the art. - To assist in the handling and movement of the
cover 28, a raisedcap 68 is used (FIG. 3 ). The raisedcap 68 comprises a plurality offinger walls 70. Thefinger walls 70 preferably extend upwardly in a substantially vertical or perpendicular relationship to thecover 28. In this manner, a clearing 72 is created between thefinger walls 70 and thecover 28 enabling one to engage thefinger walls 70 to manipulate the raisedcap 68 for moving or laterally turning thecover 28. In the preferred embodiment, the engagement of the raisedcap 68 andfinger walls 70 is accomplished by a person using different fingers to apply inward pressure on one or more of thefinger walls 70. This pressure enables the person to grasp the raisedcap 68 and move or laterally turn thecover 28. Alternatively, the engagement and manipulation of the raisedcap 68 may be accomplished by any other means known to one skilled in the art. - In the preferred embodiment, the raised
cap 68 is also provided with a star shapedopening 74 having acenter 76 and a plurality ofslits 78 forming a plurality of adjacent teeth. Penetrating through thecenter 76 of the star shapedopening 74 is the hanging cable 26 (see alsoFIG. 2 ). The hangingcable 26 then terminates in ahanging loop 80 formed or created by the folding of the hangingcable 26 and which is secured by a lockingcrimp 82. The hangingloop 80 is then used to freely hang thebird feeder 20 from any desired location. The star shapedopening 74, thecenter 76, and the plurality ofslits 78 are also further illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9 . - When the
cover 28 is released from thedome 30, as illustrated, thecover 28 can be raised or elevated anywhere along the hangingcable 26 up to and adjacent the lockingcrimp 82 of the hangingloop 80. This creates aseparation distance 84 from thedome 30. As thecover 28 is being raised or elevated, the force being applied on thecover 28 to raise or elevate thecover 28 is sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement between the hangingcable 26 and the star shapedopening 74 within thecover 28. When thecover 28 reaches a desired position along the hangingcable 26, the frictional engagement between the hangingcable 26 and star shapedopening 74 is sufficient to overcome the gravitational pull on thecover 28 and thereby freely retain thecover 28 in that desired position on the hangingcable 26. In this manner, theseparation distance 84 created between thecover 28 and thedome 30 enables thebird seed 34 to be poured into theopen top 54 of thedome 30 for filling or re-filling thebird feeder 20. This process is preferably accomplished while thebird feeder 20 is being hung. Alternatively, this process may be accomplished after thebird feeder 20 has been retrieved from the location that it is being hung. When the process is reversed and thecover 28 is lowered along the hangingcable 26 and reattached to thedome 30, thecover 28 anddome 30 again unite to provide a waterproof seal for protecting thebird seeds 34 from the elements. - At the other end of the
dome 30, thedome 30 is releaseably attached or fastened to thecollar 32 using a fastening means 86, as illustrated inFIG. 3B . In the preferred embodiment, thedome 30 comprises a recessedhole 88 surrounded by a slopingwall 90 andsidewalls 92. Thecollar 32 preferably comprises anouter surface 94 having an outwardly extendingledge 96 and anadjacent brim 98. Theledge 96 comprises a taperedtop surface 100 and aflat bottom surface 102 which is positioned parallel and opposed to thebrim 98. Situated between theflat bottom surface 102 of theledge 96 and thebrim 98 is ahole 104. - To use the fastening means 86, the
dome 30 is slid over theouter surface 94 of thecollar 32 until the recessedhole 88 is positioned above theledge 96. When this occurs, thedome 30 is pressed against theouter surface 94 of thecollar 32 until theledge 96 is penetrated through the recessedhole 88. Thesidewalls 92 likewise become frictionally engaged with the sides of theledge 96. At the same time, aportion 106 of thedome 30 is frictionally received and held between theflat bottom surface 102 of theledge 96 and thebrim 98 for completing the fastening means 86 and achieving a secure, waterproof seal and fit between thedome 30 and thecollar 32. A cross-section of this attachment is further illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 7A . This fastening means 86 is also designed to prevent the undesired rotation or movement of thedome 30 in relation to thecollar 32. - When the fastening means 86 is desired to be released, depressing upon the tapered
top surface 100 of theledge 96 will force theouter surface 94 to push away from thedome 30 and theledge 96 to push away from the recessedhole 88 for releasing theledge 96 from the recessedhole 88. As this occurs, theportion 106 of thedome 30 simultaneously becomes released from the frictional engagement between theflat bottom surface 102 of theledge 96 and thebrim 98. In the preferred embodiment, the depression can be caused by a person's finger, a screw-driver, or any other means known to one skilled in the art. Additionally, the slopingwall 90 is designed to slope inwardly toward the taperedtop surface 100 of theledge 96. In this manner, the slopingwall 90 permits easier access to theledge 96 and directionally guides any depression means directly to theledge 96. To accommodate the depression movement of theouter surface 94 and theledge 96 to push away from thedome 30, thecollar 32 is provided with a V-shapedinternal wall 108 that provides aspacing cushion 110 to account for and enable this movement. Once completed, thedome 30 is released from thecollar 32. - In the preferred embodiment, this fastening means 86 is used in four equally spaced locations around the perimeter of the
dome 30 andcollar 32 for achieving the most efficient and secure attachment of thedome 30 to thecollar 32. Alternatively, it is contemplated that any number of fastening means 86 may be used by one skilled in the art. - Inside the
collar 32 there is comprised aninner wall 112 that supports a plurality ofdivider walls 114 separating thecollar 32 into a plurality of sections or compartments 116. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality ofdivider walls 114 is four which creates an equal number of plurality of sections orcompartments 116 of four. Alternatively, the plurality ofdivider walls 114 may be two, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , for creating an equal number of plurality of sections orcompartments 116 of two. In a further alternate embodiment, thecollar 32 may be designed with nodivider walls 114 creating a single section orcompartment 116, as used inFIG. 10 . In a yet another alternate embodiment, employing the principals disclosed herein, thecollar 32 may be designed with any number ofdivider walls 114 for creating any number of sections orcompartment 116, either equal to, more, or less than the number ofdivider walls 114 as desired by one skilled in the art. The plurality ofdivider walls 114 are fixedly secured, at one end, to theinner wall 112. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality ofdivider walls 114 are integrally molded to theinner wall 112. Alternatively, any other means may be used by a person skilled in the art for fixedly securing the plurality ofdivider walls 114 to theinner wall 112. At the other end, the plurality ofdivider walls 114 converge and attach to a sharedvertical tube 118. In the preferred embodiment, thevertical tube 118 is centrally located within thecollar 32 andbird feeder 20 and comprises ahollow passageway 120 enabling the hangingcable 26 to pass unopposed and directly through thecollar 32. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality ofdivider walls 114 comprises atop portion 122 situated in a vertical orientation and abottom portion 124 angled inwardly into the plurality of sections or compartments 116. Each of the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 forms an individual storage area for holdingexcess bird seed 34 until needed and then, when needed, funnels thebird seed 34 through afeeder port 126 into a separately attached,individual feeder bag 24 correspondingly aligned with each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116. The funneling of thebird seed 34 through thefeeder port 126 and into eachfeeder bag 24 is further illustrated inFIG. 7 . - The combination of the
dome 30 and thecollar 32 provide a width that is sufficiently large to assist in providing a covering means for thebirds 36 when thebirds 36 are standing or perched on thefeeder bags 24. This covering means assists in protecting thebirds 36 from the elements such as rain, snow, sun, or otherwise when thebirds 36 are feeding. - Turning to
FIGS. 4-6 , an alternate embodiment of thethistle bird feeder 20 is illustrated. In this alternate embodiment of the thistle bird feeder, the raisedcap 68, thecover 28, thedome 30, thecollar 32, and the hangingcable 26 are the exact same as the original embodiment, discussed above. As illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B , thecover 28, thedome 30, and thecollar 32 are also releaseably attached or fastened to one another in the exact same manner. The difference with this alternate embodiment is that the inside of thecollar 32 is designed with only a plurality ofdivider walls 114 of two for creating an equal number of plurality of sections orcompartments 116 of only two. In this manner, the individual storage area formed in each of the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 is larger for holdingmore bird seed 34 than in the original embodiment. Likewise, when needed, each of the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 can funnelmore bird seed 34 through thefeeder port 126 and into the separately attached,individual feeder bags 24 correspondingly aligned with each of the plurality of sections or compartments 116. As such, by reducing the number of the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 andavailable feeder bags 24, this alternate embodiment for thethistle bird feeder 20 requires less frequent refilling and provides moreavailable bird seed 34 for continually refilling thefeeder bags 24 available to thebirds 36. - In the preferred embodiment, the
feeder bag 24 is preferably made of a polyester or nylon mesh sock or any other suitable material that accomplishes the purposes described herein and is known to one skilled in the art. Thefeeder bag 24 may comprise any variation of size, shape, or contain any desired volume ofbird seed 34. Thefeeder bag 24 is releaseably attached or fastened to thecollar 32 using attachment means 128, as illustrated inFIGS. 10-12 . In the preferred embodiment, atelescoping column 130 extends downwardly from thecollar 32. Situated along anexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130 is a plurality ofhooks 132. The plurality ofhooks 132 comprise asupport arm 136 integrally molded with afinger wall 138. In this manner, apocket 140 is created between theexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130 and each of the plurality ofhooks 132. In the preferred embodiment, thefeeder bag 24 comprises anelastic band 142 secured into theproximal end 144 of thefeeder bag 24 using a securing means 146 (FIG. 12 ). In the preferred embodiment, the securing means 146 comprises anend 150 of thefeeder bag 24 being folded over, inserted into theopening 154 of thefeeder bag 24, and then bound to theinterior side 148 of thefeeder bag 24. It is contemplated that theend 150 of thefeeder bag 24 may be bound to theinterior side 148 of thefeeder bag 24 by stitching or any other means known to one skilled in the art. In this manner, asleeve 152 is formed within thefeeder bag 24 at theproximal end 144 to retain theelastic band 142. - To use the securing means 146, the
elastic band 142 is stretched from a normal flex to an expanded flex for enlarging theopening 154 in thefeeder bag 24 and theelastic band 142 to fit around theexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130 and the plurality ofhooks 132 surrounding thetelescoping column 130. When this occurs, theenlarged feeder bag 24 and expanded flex of theelastic band 142 are slid upwardly and over the plurality ofhooks 132. The stretching or expanded flex of theelastic band 142 is then released allowing theelastic band 142 to return to the normal flex around theexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130. In the preferred embodiment, the normal flex of theelastic band 142 retains some elasticity and compression force on theexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130. Alternatively, theelastic band 142 may not provide much, if any, compression force on theexterior wall 134 of thetelescoping column 130. Once theelastic band 142 and thefeeder bag 24 are fitted over thetelescoping column 130, theelastic band 142 is pulled downwardly into each of thepockets 140 in each of the plurality ofhooks 132 surrounding thetelescoping column 130. In this manner, thepockets 140 coact to secure theproximal end 144 of thefeeder bag 24 to thetelescoping column 130. Thefeeder bag 24 remains secured to thetelescoping column 130 until areplacement feeder bag 24 is needed. - Turning back to
FIG. 7 , after the hangingcable 26 passes through thehollow passageway 120 in thevertical tube 118, the hangingcable 26 passes through a base 158 in thevertical tube 118 and then terminates in aknot 156. In the preferred embodiment, between the base 158 and theknot 156 is astopper 160 connected to the hangingcable 26. - The
stopper 160 may be any component and connected or attached to the hangingcable 26 by any means known to one skilled in the art provided that thestopper 160 is sufficiently connected or attached to the hangingcable 26 to support the gravitational pull and weight of thebird feeder 20 when hung. - Upon hanging the
bird feeder 20 from a tree branch or, alternatively, from any desired location, the gravitational pull and weight of thebird feeder 20 will force or pull thebird feeder 20 in a downward direction on the hangingcable 26. As this occurs and the hangingcable 26 remains in the hanging position, thestopper 160 will be forced to engage with and become gravitationally mated with thebase 158 of thevertical tube 118. In this manner, thebird feeder 20 and all of the assembled components are freely hung and suspended as desired. - To fill the
bird feeder 20 withbird seed 34 and assuming that all of the components of thebird feeder 20 are assembled as described herein, thebird feeder 20 may be in the hanging position as hung by the hangingcable 26 from the hangingloop 80 or, alternatively, on a table or other supporting means known to one skilled in the art. If in the hanging position, thecover 28 is then separated from thedome 30 as previously described in conjunction withFIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, if not in the hanging position, thecover 28 and/or thedome 30 may be removed for filling thebird feeder 20.Bird seed 34 can then be poured into theopen top 54 of thedome 30. As thebird seed 34 is poured into thedome 30, thebird seed 34 continues through thedome 30 and is separated by thecollar 32 through the use of thedivider walls 114 redirecting thebird seed 34 into any one or more of the plurality of sections or compartments 116. Thebird seed 34 is gravity fed as it then passes through thefeeder ports 126 in the plurality of sections or compartments 116. The inwardly angledbottom portion 124 of thedivider walls 114 also further directs thebird seed 34 through the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 toward thefeeder ports 126. Once in thefeeder ports 126, thebird seed 34 is funneled through the telescoping column 130 (FIGS. 7 and 11 ) and falls into thefeeder bags 24 where thebird seed 34 is made available to thebirds 36 for feeding. Asmore bird seed 34 is poured into thebird feeder 20, theextra bird seed 34 will continue to collect within the plurality of sections orcompartments 116 and upwards within thedome 30 until thebird feeder 20 becomes completely full, as illustrated inFIG. 1 . Alternatively, thebird seed 34 can be filled up to therim 56 of thedome 30 prior to the attachment of thecover 28 to thedome 30. In the preferred embodiment, thedome 30 is made of a transparent material or, alternatively, of any non-transparent material desired by one skilled in the art. - Should any of the
feeder bags 24 become unusable, the use of plurality of sections orcompartments 116 supplying theother feeder bags 24 prevents thebird feeder 20 from losing all of the loadedbird seed 34 to the ground from or through the one individual, unusable or leakingfeeder bag 24. Afeeder bag 24 could become unusable through an excessive larger hole being created in it, being torn down by a squirrel or other rodent, etc. . . . Once in place, thebird feeder 20 can hold a large amount ofbird seed 34 for automatically feeding seed into each of theindividual feeder bags 24 below. In this way, the caretaker can fill thebird feeder 20 and thefeeder bags 24 much less frequently. When anindividual feeder bag 24 becomes emptied by the birds, theindividual feeder bag 24 is automatically and continually refilled until thebird feeder 20 and corresponding section or compartment 16 serving thefeeder bag 24 becomes empty. - Thus, there has been provided Applicant's unique thistle bird feeder. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1. A bird feeder, comprising:
a hollow container having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one feeder bag; and
means for releaseably mounting the at least one feeder bag to the distal end of the container.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for releaseably mounting the at least one feeder bag to the distal end of the container comprises the at least one feeder bag having an opening, an elastic band, and means for securing the elastic band to the at least one feeder bag adjacent to the opening, a telescoping column having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of hooks, the top end of the telescoping column fixedly attached to the distal end of the container and extending outwardly therefrom, the bottom end fixedly attached to the plurality of hooks, whereby, the elastic band and opening are stretched around the telescoping column and plurality of hooks and then released for attachment to the plurality of hooks.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein a pocket is formed between the telescoping column and the plurality of hooks to receive and secure the elastic band between the telescoping column and the plurality of hooks.
4. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for securing the elastic band to the at least one feeder bag adjacent to the opening is a sleeve contained within the at least one feeder bag.
5. A bird feeder, comprising:
a hollow container having a proximal end and a distal end;
a rim located adjacent the proximal end and defining an open top;
a plurality of ports located adjacent the distal end and defining an open bottom;
a plurality of feeder bags;
means for releaseably mounting the plurality of feeder bags to the plurality of ports; and
means for hanging the container.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for hanging the container is a cable having a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end, the container situated between the ends of the cable and having a passageway, the cable passing through the passageway for enabling the container to be slideably moveable along the cable between the ends.
7. The device of claim 6 and further comprising a cover.
8. The device of claim 7 and further comprising means for releaseably attaching the cover to the rim for covering the open top.
9. The device of claim 7 and further comprising means for frictionally attaching the cover to the cable.
10. The device of claim 5 and further comprising a plurality of divider walls defining a plurality of separate sections inside the container, each separate section corresponding to one of the plurality of ports.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of separate sections funnels bird seed from that section directly into the corresponding one of the plurality of ports.
12. The device of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of feeder bags corresponds to one of the plurality of ports.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of feeder bags is filled with bird seed funneled directly from the corresponding one of the plurality of ports.
14. A bird feeder, comprising:
a cover;
a dome having a top rim defining an open top and a bottom rim defining an open bottom;
means for releaseably locking the cover to the top rim of the dome for covering the open top;
a collar having a rim defining a second open top and a plurality of ports defining a plurality of open bottoms, the collar further having a plurality of sections, each corresponding to one of the plurality of ports;
means for releaseably fastening the bottom rim of the dome to the rim of the collar;
a plurality of feeder bags;
means for releaseably mounting the plurality of feeder bags to the plurality of ports; and
means for hanging the bird feeder;
whereby, the bird feeder is slideably moveable along the means for hanging the bird feeder and either the cover or the dome may be detached to expose the plurality of sections for inserting bird seed into any one of the plurality of sections, funneling the bird seed through the corresponding one of the plurality of ports, and thereby filling any corresponding one of the plurality of feeder bags while the bird feeder is being hung.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for hanging the bird feeder is a cable having a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end, the bird feeder being retained between the ends of the cable and having a passageway, the cable passing through the passageway for enabling the bird feeder to be slideably moveable along the cable between the ends.
16. The device of claim 15 and further comprising means for frictionally attaching the cover to the cable.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the means for frictionally attaching the cover to the cable is a star shaped opening in the cover.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the star shaped opening comprises an open center surrounded by a plurality of adjacent teeth, the cable being received through the open center and engaging the plurality of adjacent teeth.
19. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for releaseably mounting the plurality of feeder bags to the plurality of ports comprises the plurality of feeder bags each having an opening, an elastic band, and means for securing the elastic band to the feeder bag adjacent to the opening, a plurality of telescoping columns each having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of hooks, the top end of each of the plurality of telescoping columns fixedly attached to the corresponding one of the plurality of ports and extending outwardly therefrom, the bottom end fixedly attached to an associated plurality of hooks, whereby, the elastic band and opening of each one of the plurality of feeder bags is stretched around one of the plurality of telescoping columns and the associated plurality of hooks and then released for attachment to the associated plurality of hooks.
20. A method for using a bird feeder, comprising the steps of:
hanging the bird feeder in the air from a cable, the cable having a hanging loop at one end and a stopper at the other end, the bird feeder having a open passageway for the cable to slideably pass through and be retained between the ends of the cable;
removing a cover from the bird feeder to expose an opening;
sliding the cover along the cable away from the bird feeder to a desired location;
frictionally attaching the cover to the cable at the desired location;
depositing bird seed into the opening;
separating the bird seed into a plurality of sections;
funneling the bird seed from each of the plurality of sections into a separate, corresponding feeder bag;
sliding the cover from the desired location back to the bird feeder; and
re-attaching the cover to the bird feeder.
21. The method of claim 20 and further comprising the step of removing a dome from the bird feeder to expose a second opening.
22. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the step of inserting bird seed into the second opening.
23. The method of claim 22 and further comprising the step of separating the bird seed into the plurality of sections.
24. The method of claim 23 funneling the bird seed from each of the plurality of sections into the separate, corresponding feeder bag.
25. The method of claim 24 and further comprising the step of re-attaching the dome to the bird feeder.
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US13/344,072 Abandoned US20120111278A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2012-01-05 | Wild bird feeder |
US29/412,599 Active USD663079S1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2012-02-06 | Wild bird feeder |
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Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD663078S1 (en) * | 2007-01-03 | 2012-07-03 | Pets International, Ltd. | Thistle bird feeder |
US20120240864A1 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2012-09-27 | Tom Bartak | Bird feeder |
US20130139756A1 (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2013-06-06 | Joseph Lavern Miebach | Animal-Operated Grain Dispenser |
USD712600S1 (en) * | 2012-01-24 | 2014-09-02 | Xz, Llc | Bird feeder |
CN112970609A (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2021-06-18 | 侯德刚 | Movable livestock forage stirring and feeding vehicle |
USD1033753S1 (en) * | 2023-03-14 | 2024-07-02 | Ningchao Ouyang | Bird feeder |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080156269A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
WO2008085822A2 (en) | 2008-07-17 |
WO2008085827A3 (en) | 2008-09-25 |
WO2008085827A2 (en) | 2008-07-17 |
US8191508B2 (en) | 2012-06-05 |
WO2008085822A3 (en) | 2008-08-28 |
USD663079S1 (en) | 2012-07-03 |
USD663078S1 (en) | 2012-07-03 |
US20120111278A1 (en) | 2012-05-10 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PETS INTERNATIONAL, LTD., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GREENWOOD, MARK;STERNAL, LARRY;KRAUSE, ROBERT;REEL/FRAME:020380/0990;SIGNING DATES FROM 20071228 TO 20080103 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |