US2487087A - Combination bird feeder and amusement device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1949 A. F. R. ANDERSON 2,487,087

COMBINATION B IRD FEEDER AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed July 17, 1946 Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE COMBINATION BIRD FEEDER AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to bird feeders and has to do particularly with a device of that character adapted for outdoor installation.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is adapted to attract the birds and furnish them with entertainment while feeding, so as to provide for novel and unusual means of enjoyment for the birds as well as for the onlockers.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character described which has various movable parts that are actuated by the energy exerted by the birds.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is simple in construction comprising only a few inexpensive parts that can be assembled easily, so that this device can be manufactured and sold at a very reasonable price, but which is durable and well adapted to function outdoors in all kind of weather, and which is so constructed that its operation cannot cause any injury to the birds.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred forms of the invention have been shown.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line l4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing the numeral l denotes a base bar to which the middle portion of a stationary cross bar 6 is secured by means of a nail I (Fig.

3) or the like. A pair of longitudinal pins 2 extend upwardly from the base I at both sides of the bar 6. The upper portions 3 of the pins 2 are widened and provided with perforations which afiord ample space for extending a crosspin 5 therethrough. I prefer to make the diameter of the portions 3 considerably larger than the diameter of the pin 5 for the purpose of preventing a rusting together of the parts 3 and 5, so that the pin 5 always can be moved easily without requiring any lubrication or other attention. The cross pin 5 is extended through the middle portion of a balanced rod 4 which is provided at its extremities with hooks It and I5 and at its lower side with lugs Ill. The bar 6 is shorter than the rod 4 and has at its extremities hooks 8 which are connected to the lugs it] by means of springs 9. The latter are adapted to hold the rod 4 normally in a horizontal position.

From the hook I I there is suspended a feeding cup or pail [3 by means of an arch-shaped supporting member l2. A mirror 14 is secured to the pail l3 by any suitable means in such a manner that it stands upright, so that a bird flying to- Ward the pail l3 or resting on the rim of the pail it can see itself in the mirror M. It can readily be seen that the mirror I4 acts as a means to cause the bird to momentarily remove its weight from the rim of the pail l3, so that it can fight or make love to its image in the mirror, thus causing the balance rod 4 to operate, up or down, according to whether the bird flies at the disturbing likeness in the mirror, or resumes its position on the edge of the feeding cup I3.

From the hook l5 there is suspended a twisted string [6 which is attached to the supporting member ll of a feeding basket or pail l8. A swivel link member (not shown) may or may not be interposed between the string l6 and the member ll. A roosting stick it is preferably secured to the rim of the pail l8, and a cylindrical shield 20 is laid around the major portion of the string i6 and is attached thereto by any suitable means (not shown) in order to protect birds from injury from the string I5, which is practically invisible for a bird flying toward the pail it. The arrangement of the parts It to 20 as shown constitutes a bird amusing and feeding device which I call a bird spinner.

In this device a bird alighting on the roost ill will cause the pail l8 to rotate. Where noswivel is used the rotation of the pail will cause string [6 to wind itself up and as a result there will be a continuation of winding and unwinding.

At the same time my new and improved bird feeding device will act as a bird see saw due to the arrangement of the parts 2 to It previously referred to. The rod 4 is cushioned against too violent movement by the springs 9 which are attached to the bar 6. This permits the balance rod 4 to move gently as soon as a bird or birds alight on feeding pails or any part of the rod 4, permitting them to experience a see saw motion while they are feeding or resting on the device.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention may be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

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

1. A bird feeding device comprising a balanced rod pivotally supported in the middle and having a hook extended from each of its extremities, a stationary bar disposed parallel, in spaced relation to said rod and resilient means interposed between said bar and said rod tending to hold the latter in a horizontal position, a feeding pail being attached to one of said hooks, a mirror being secured to said feeding pail, a twisted string being suspended from the other hook, a second feeding pail being attached to the lower end of said string, and a cylinder attached to said string and encompassing a portion of the same, all substantially as set forth.

2. A device of the character described comprising a balanced rod having extended through its middle portion a cross pin whose ends protrude from opposite sides, a pair of lugs engaging the protruding portions of said pin, a stationary member beneath said rod carrying said lugs, resilient means connecting said stationary member to said rod and tending to hold said rod in a horizontal position, a feeding pail being hooked to one extremity of said rod, an upright mirror being secured to said pail, a twisted string suspended from the other extremity of said rod, a second feeding pail being attached to the lower end of said string, and a cylindrical shield encompassing a portion of said string and being secured thereto, all substantially as described.

3. A-deviceof the character described comprising a stationary base, a horizontal cross bar having its middle portion secured to said base, a longitudinal vertical pin whose upper portion is widened and perforated being upwardly extended from said base at each side of said bar, a balance rod having hooks at its extremities and being provided with "lugs which are in spaced relation to said hooks, a cross pin extended through the middle portion of said rod engaging the perforated widened portions of the vertical pins, a pair of springs each of which connects one extremity of said bar to a lug on said rod, azfeeding pail being hooked to one extremity of said rod, an upright mirror being secured to said pail, :a twisted string suspended from the-otherextremity of said rod, a second pail being attached to the lower end of said string, and a cylinder encompasing a portion of said string being .secured to the latter, all substantially as described.

ALFRED FITZ ROY ANDERSGN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1,498,220 Winkler June 17, 1924 1,673,758 Partlow June '12, 1928 2,277,420 Stanfield Mar. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 197,039 Great Britain May 8, 1923

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