US2424733A - Birdhouse - Google Patents

Description

July 29; 1947. M. K. BENsbN BIRD HOUSE Filed Aug. 29, 1945 INVENTOR. Met/e /f. 520600 By M I I [:V I

ATTORMEYJ.

Patented July 29, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ,BIRDHOUSE Merle K. Benson, Benton Harbor-,lVlich.

Application August 29, 1945,,Serial No. 613,346

10 Claims. I

This invention relates to improvements in bird houses.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a birdhouse formed of an integral blank of fibrous material which may be shipped and stored in the knock-down and readily set up by the customer.

Second, to provide such a structure which is strong and rigid and substantially weatherproof.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which may be very economically produced and at the same time is attractive in appearance.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A birdhouse whichembodies the features of the invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a birdhouse embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a planview of the blank.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective viewillustratin certain steps in erecting and further illustrating the relation of parts.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating a desirable form of hanger attaching means.

It is desired to point out that while Various forms of fibrous sheet material or fiberboard may be used, asbestos impregnated roofing felt or material is -a desirable material in that it is water or weatherproof, is economical and possesses desired rigidity and stiffness so that the parts are self-sustaining without the use of staples or. fas-' teners although it will be understood that staples or fasteners may be used if desired.

In Fig. 3 I illustrate the blank for the structure shown in the other figures, this blank being shaped and scored to provide the parts or elements and for convenience in folding.

The structure comprises a bottom I having opposed side walls 2 hingedly connected thereto at 3 and walls 4 hingedly connected to the bottom at 5. The side and end walls are downwardly tapered and their adjacent edges are connected by corner fiaps B hingedly connected to the end walls at l and'to the side walls at 8. These corner flaps not only provide corner closures but they add materially to the rigidity of the structure. In the embodiment illustrated opposed walls diverge upwardly inrelation to each other. The corner flaps are folded inwardly against the inner sides of the side walls which position the end walls in spaced relation to the end edges of the side Walls. Theupper ends of the side walls are upwardly tapered and are provided with roof anchoring'flaps 9 hingedly connectedtothe edges of the end walls at Ill. These anchoring flaps are turned outwardly.

A roof member extends from the upper edge of one of the side Walls, being hingedly Joined thereto at l I. This roof member is longitudinally scored at l2 to provide roof panels 13 and .IA, these roof panels being transversely scored at 1.5 to provide end flaps'l6. The endflaps lfiare turned inwardly into engagement with the roof anchorin flaps 9 of the end walls. Theother side member has an inner roof memberor joint member ll joined to itat 3; .this innerroof member is folded inwardly upon the end walls and lies under theadjacent outer roofpanelserving to close the joint at the upper edge of the side wall and also constituting an anchoring means for the side wall to which it is connected. In the embodiment illustrated this panel I1 is of the same width as the roof panel l4 butit may.,be narrower if desired to economize on material. .It should beof such Width however as to serve as an anchoring means for the sidewall and to provide an effective joint closure. When formed of material which maintainsits shape when bent, such as asphalt impregnatedfelt or fibrous material, fastening means are not required. Staples or paper fasteners may be employed with'satisfactory results with other materials.

One. end wall is provided with an opening 28 which it will be understood would be varied in size for different birds.

In the embodiment illustrated I provide a perch l9 which extends transversely-below the cornice at the end having the opening. The perch is formed of bendable material, its ends 29 being reversely bent and tucked between the roof panels and the inturned flap IS. The structure may be supported by nailing the bottom to a suitable support or a hanger loop 2| may be inserted through the roofat the ridge thereof. The loop may be of bendable material having its endsp22 bent laterally under the roof. A reinforcing piece 23 is preferably provided.

Ihave illustrated and described a structure which is highly practical. The structure majs be made of comparatively light sheet material and at the same time when erected is strong and rigid and has no open joints. .The structure may be shipped and stored in the knockdown and later set up by the inerchandiser or the customer. It

can be readily knocked down for cleaning or storage after it has been in use. I have not attemped to illustrate various adaptations and modifications in design which are possible with embodiments of my invention as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank of water-resisting fibrous material scored to provide a bottom, downwardly tapered side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, the opposed walls being dispose-d in upwardly diverging relation to each other, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls disposed between the side walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, an outer roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall and longitudinally scored to provide a pair of roof panels folded upon the top edges of the end walls and projecting substantially beyond the same to provide a cornice and having end flaps folded in- Wardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the other side wall having an inner roof panel projecting from its upper edge disposed below the adjacent roof panel, the end flaps of the adjacent roof panel being folded under the said inner roof panel, one of said end walls having an opening, and a perch of bendable material having its ends bent upwardly and inwardly and disposed between the roof panels and the inturned end flaps thereof.

2. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank of water resisting fibrous material scored to provide a bottom, side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls disposed between the side Walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, the top edges of the end Walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall and longitudinally scored to provide a pair of roof panels folded upon the top edges of the end walls and projecting substantially beyond the same to provide a cornice and having end flaps folded inwardly iuider the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the outer side wall having a, -joint panel projecting from its upper edge disposed below the adjacent roof panel, the end flaps of the adjacent roof panel being folded under the said joint panel, one of said end walls having an opening, and a perch of bendable material having its ends bent upwardly and inwardly and disposed between the roof panels and the inturned end flaps thereof.

3. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank of water resisting fibrous material scored to provide a bottom, downwardly tapered side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, the opposed walls being disposed in upwardly diverging relation to each other, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls disposed between the side walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, one of said end walls defining an opening the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, and an outer roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall and longitudinally scored to provide a pair of roof panels folded upon the top edges of the end walls and projecting substantially beyond the same to provide a cornice and having end flaps folded inwardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the other side wall having an inner roof panel projecting from its upper edge disposed below the adjacent roof panel, the end flaps of the adjacent roof panel being folded under the said inner roof panel.

4. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank of water resisting fibrous material scored to provide a bottom, side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls disposed between the side walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, one of said walls defining an opening the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having outturned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, and a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall and longitudinally scored to provide a pair of roof panels folded upon the top edges of the end walls and projecting substantially beyond the same to provide a cornice and having end flaps folded inwardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the other side wall having a joint panel projecting from its upper edge disposed below the adjacent roof panel, the end fiaps of the adjacent roof panel being folded under the said joint panel.

5. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank and comprising a bottom, downwardly tapered side and end walls, the opposed walls being disposed in upwardly diverging relation to each other, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls dis posed between the side walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having outturned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall disposed upon the end walls and having end flaps folded inwardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the other side wall having a joint extension projecting from its upper edge disposed below the roof, the end fiaps of the roof member being folded under the said joint extension, one of said end walls having an opening, and a perch of bendable material having its ends bent upwardly and inwardly and disposed between the roof panels and the inturned end flaps thereof.

6. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank and comprising a bottom, side and end walls, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps, the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring fiaps extending therefrom, a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall disposed upon the end walls and having end flaps folded inwardly under the ,said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the

end flaps of the roof member being folded under the said joint extension, one of said end Walls having an opening, and a perch of bendable ma terial having its ends bent upwardly and inwardly and disposed between the roof panels and the inturned end flaps thereof.

7, A birdhouse formed of an integral blank and comprising downwardly tapered side and end walls, the opposed walls being disposed in upwardly diverging relation to each other, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps folded against the inner sides of the side walls with end walls disposed between the side walls and in spaced relation to the ends thereof, the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, and a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall disposed upon the end walls and having end flaps folded inwardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls, the other side wall having a joint extension projecting from its upper edge disposed below the roof, the end flaps of the roof member being folded under the said joint extension.

8. A birdhouse formed of an integral blank and comprising a bottom, side and end walls, adjacent end edges of the side and end walls being connected by corner flaps, the top edges of the end walls being upwardly tapered and having out-turned roof anchoring flaps extending therefrom, and a roof member extending from the upper edge of one side wall disposed upon th end walls and having end flaps folded inwardly under the said roof anchoring flaps on said end walls.

9. A blank of foldable weather resisting sheet material adapted to be folded to form a bird house, said blank being scored to provide a bottom panel, outwardly widening side and end panels, corner flaps connecting the end edges of said side and end panels, said end panels having peaked outer ends with roof anchoring flaps extending from the edges thereof, a roof panel connected to the outer edge of one of said side panels and having end flaps on each end thereof, and an inner roof panel along the outer edge of said other side wall panel, one of said end wall panels defining an opening.

10. A blank of foldable weather resisting sheet material adapted to be folded to form a bird house, said blank being scored to provide a bottom panel, outwardly widening side and end panels, corner flaps connecting the end edges of REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,190,721 Mallgraf Feb. 20, 1940 2,230,305 Mallgraf Feb. 4, 1941 2,345,646 Williamson Apr. 4, 1944

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