Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
BIRD FEEDER HAVING LOWER MOVABLE SHROUD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bird feeders, and more particularly relates
to
improvements therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Selective bird feeders are well known in the art and are designed to limit the
maximum size of a bird or animal which can access the seed in the feeder. The
reasons
for excluding certain birds may be many. Thus, as disclosed in United States
Patent
3,241,525, there is provided a selective bird feeder which is specific to
cardinals. As
taught by this patent, a favorite seed of cardinals is the sunflower seed;
this seed is also
popular with both smaller and larger birds.
Some larger birds will also access the seed and many such birds including
crows,
grackles, blue jays and the like are considered by some people to be
undesirable.
A further problem associated with bird feeders is marauders which gain access
to
the seeds. In particular, squirrels are well known for their ability to reach
the seed in a
bird feeder and to devour the same. Many approaches have been tried to
discourage or
prevent squirrels from reaching the bird feeder, including various types of
covers and
baffles on poles. These seldom work as the squirrels have shown great
ingenuity in
overcoming such devices.
Some of the attempted solutions to the problem are disclosed in the prior art
such
as exemplified by U.S. Patent 4,646,686 to Furlani which teaches a movable
shroud. U.S.
Patent 3,145,690 to Bachman describes a bird feeder in which an inverted
cylindrical
hopper is suspended over a feeding pan; a bird perch surrounds the pan and is
attached to
-1-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
a conical shroud. Both the perch and the shroud are supported by a compression
spring
whereby heavier birds or mammals on the perch cause the shroud to move
downwardly.
Another shroud arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent 3,126,870 wherein a
cylindrical shroud surrounds a hopper and is mounted for rotation about a
vertical axis
under the bias of a weight.
While all of the above references disclose shroud type arrangements, such
devices
have not appeared to have received commercial acceptance in the marketplace.
It might
be surmised that this is due to the fact that some of the arrangements are
relatively
complicated and/or expensive to produce.
SUM]MARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustably selective
bird
feeder having a movable shroud to protect and isolate the access openings by
which the
birds can gain access to the feed in the container from unwanted intruders.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustably
selective bird
feeder which uses a compressible member such as a spring to cause the shroud
to move
and protect the access openings when predetermined weight is placed thereon.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a feed container
for a bird
feeder which is easy to manufacture and uses a minimum of components.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder which
can be
easily disassembled without the use of tools to provide for easy repair and
easy access for
cleaning.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a bird feeder comprising a
feed
container having a base and an outer wall extending upwardly therefrom, at
least one feed
-2-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
container access opening in the outer wall, a cover member, the cover member
being
removably connected to an upper portion of the feed container, a shroud
extending about
at least a portion of the feed container, at least one shroud access opening
substantially
aligned with the feed container access opening to thereby permit access to the
feed
container, an elongated hollow center tube within the feed container, the
hollow center
tube being connected to the feed container, an elongated rod within the center
tube, the
rod being connected to the shroud at a lower end of the rod, the rod being
movable within
the center tube axially, and biasing means associated with the rod at an upper
end thereof,
the biasing means biasing the rod and the shroud to a position wherein the
feed container
access opening and the shroud access opening are substantially aligned while
permitting
the shroud access opening to move out of alignment with the feed container
access
opening when a predetermined weight is placed on the shroud.
In a greater detail, the bird feeder of the present invention is designed as a
multi
component device which can be easily assembled and disassembled without the
use of
tools. Furthermore, the components of the feeder, when disassembled, can be
placed in a
cleaning device such as a dishwasher to sanitize all the components and thus
prevent the
spread of disease which is a frequent problem associated with bird feed which
remains in
the container for a substantial period of time.
The bird feeder of the present invention can be sized to meet the requirements
of
the industry. Thus, the feed container, which is preferably formed of a
transparent plastic
material, can be sized to accept the desired amount of bird feed. Preferably,
it is made of
a material which will resist the attack of marauders such as squirrels and to
this end, a
plastic material such as Lexan may be utilized.
-3-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
The components of the bird feeder which might be subject to attack by the
marauders such as squirrels can be made of an appropriate metallic material
such as
aluminum. Thus, the cover and the shroud would most desirably be made of such
a
metallic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bird feeder according to
the
present invention;
Figures 2 and 2A are side sectional views of the feeder in a retracted and
extended
position respectively;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the feeder in
an
extended position;
Figures 4 and 4A are cut away views of the bird feeder in a retracted and
extended
position respectively;
Figure 5 is an expanded cut away view of the lower portion of the bird feeder
in'
an extended condition;
Figure 6 is an enlarged cut away view of the lower portion of the bird feeder
in a
retracted condition;
Figure 7 is a side view of portions of the feed container;
Figure 7A is a view similar to Figure 7 with the feed container being rotated
through 900;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rim cover of the bird feeder;
-4-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the inner portion of the lower feed
container;
Figure 10 is a side view of the assembled inner tube and lower feed container;
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 with the assembly being rotated
through 90 ;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the outer portion of the lower feed
container;
Figures 13 and 13A are side elevational views of the inner tube with the tube
being rotated through 90 ;
Figures 14 and 14A are perspective and cross sectional views respectively of
the
hub portion of the bird feeder according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 15 is a side elevational view of the cap for the cartridge portion;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the cartridge portion;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the center post cap;
Figures 18 and 18A are perspective and side sectional views respectively of
the
cover;
Figures 19 and 19A are side elevational and side sectional views respectively
of
the shroud;
Figure 20 is a side elevational view of the skirt portion of the bird feeder;
and
Figure 21 is a side view of the center rod.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated a bird feeder which is generally designated by reference
numeral 10.
Bird feeder 10 has several major components as identified in Figures 2 and 2A.
These components include an upper feed container 12, a lower feed container
14, a
shroud 16, a skirt 18, an inner tube 20, a rod 22, a center hub 24 and a cover
26.
-5-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
Upper feed container 12 comprises a transparent cylindrical tube 30. Lower
feed
container 14 is formed of two members; an inner portion 32 of lower feed
container 14
(which is best seen in Figure 9) and an outer portion 40 of the lower feed
container 14
(best illustrated in Figure 12).
Referring initially to Figure 9, inner portion 32 of lower feed container 14
is
generally cylindrical in conf guration and includes a side wall 34 having an
upper rim 35
extending thereabout. A pair of diametrically opposed vertical recesses 36 are
provided
for locating purposes as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
Also, a pair of
diametrically opposed spring tabs 37 are utilized for connecting inner portion
32 to outer
portion 40. Inner portion 32 also includes a plurality of baffles 39 and
recessed inner
portions generally designated by reference numeral 38 for reasons which will
become
apparent hereinbelow.
Outer portion 40 of lower feed container 14, as seen in Figure 12, is also
generally
cylindrical in configuration and includes an outer side wal141 in which there
are
provided a plurality of feed access openings 42. At a pair of diametrically
opposed feed
access openings 42, there are provided notches 43 which are designed to
receive spring
retaining tabs 37 to interconnect inner portion 34 and outer portion 40. Guide
ribs 51
align the portion by fitting within recesses 36. A bottom wall 44 is formed of
a plurality
of triangular configurations to direct seed and also to provide for drainage
through
drainage apertures 45 (Figure 2A). The outer portion 40 also includes
a centrally located center post 46 which has an upper tapered portion 47 and a
lower
portion 48. Upper portion 47 is provided with tabs 49 for interconnection to
inner
tube 20.
-6-
CA 02367718 2008-09-19
Inner portion 32 and outer portion 40 of lower feed container 14 are assembled
and the arrangement is such that the baffles 39 are situated above feed access
openings 42 and recessed portions 38 align with feed access openings 42.
Center hub 24 (Figures 14,14A) includes a central portion 52 having a
plurality of
radially extending arms 54. Within each radially extending arm 54 there is
provided a
channel 56 having screw threads 58 extending partially thereabout.
Center hub 24 also includes an upwardly extending center post 60 and which
post 60 has a pair of diametrically opposed side guide flanges 62. A somewhat
V-shaped
slot 64 is formed in the upper end of center post. Center post 60 includes a
central
channel 66 designed to receive rod 22.
Shroud 16 (Figures 19, 19A) has a generally cup shaped configuration with a
shroud side wall 70 having a plurality of feed access openings 74 therein.
Situated below
each feed access opening 74 is an aperture 76 to permit passage of a perch. A
bottom
wall 78 has a plurality of seed drainage apertures 80 formed therein. An
upwardly
extending center hub portion 82 is designed to receive the lower portion of
center hub 24
and has an aperture 84 located centrally thereof.
There are provided a plurality of perches 88 (Figure 5) each having screw
threads
90 formed on one end thereof for screw threaded engagement with screw threads
58 on
radial arms 54 of center hub 24. A circular perch 92 (as seen in Figures 1, 4
and 4A)
interconnects the. distal non screw threaded ends of perches 88 and is
retained thereby.
Skirt member 18 (Figure 20) includes an inner cylindrical wall 96 and an outer
skirt wall 98. In the illustrated embodiment, skirt member 18 is illustrated
as being
formed of a single piece; naturally, cylindrical wall 96 and outer skirt wall
98 may be
-7-
CA 02367718 2008-09-19
formed separately and suitably secured together.
Inner tube 20 (Figures 13, 13A) has a lower cylindrical portion 102 which
merges
with a pair of upwardly extending forks 104. At an upper portion of forks 104
there are
apertures 106 formed therein.
An inner adjustment housing 110 (Figure 16) is designed to fit between forks
104
and is rotatable on lower cylindrical portion 102 of inner tube 20. The inner
walls of
adjustment housing I 10 are beveled to receive and retain a nut like member
(see
Figure 16).
A retaining member 116 (Figure 15) is designed to retain housing 110 in
position
and to this end, includes a flat body portion 118, a lower cylindrical portion
120 designed
to seat within inner adjustment housing 110 and a pair of upwardly extending
arms 122.
Each arm 122 has an upper groove 124 formed therein. Grooves 124 are designed
to
receive a retaining pin 123 which extends through apertures 106 and forks 104
to thereby
secure the assembly together (Figure 3).
An upper cap 130 is designed to seat on retaining member 116 and to this end,
includes a pair of upwardly extending portions 132 designed to receive upper
arms 122
while covering the member 116 and retaining pin 126 in position.
Center rod 22 (Figure 21) has an upper threaded portion generally designated
by
reference numeral 136 and a lower threaded portion generally designated by
reference
numeral 138. The arrangement is such that inner adjustment housing 110, as
aforementioned, fits between forks 104 and is rotatable on lower cylindrical
portion 102.
A stop member 144 extends through rod 22 to limit rod travel. Located inwardly
of inner
adjustment housing 110 is a coil spring 140 and which is retained therein by
means of a nut
-8-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
142 which is screw threadedly engaged with upper threaded portion 136 of rod
22. The
arrangement is such that rotational movement of inner adjustment housing 110
will adjust
the tension on spring 140 by shortening or lengthening the same. At its lower
end, there
is provided a wing nut 146 to engage lower screw threaded portion 13 8 of rod
22.
There is also provided a rim cover 150 (Figure 8) which seats and is secured
to the
upper marginal edge of upper feed container 12. Rim cover 150 includes a pair
of
diametrically opposed slots 152 and recesses 154 for reasons which will become
apparent
hereinbelow.
Cover 26 (Figures 18, 18A) includes a horizontal top wall 156 which merges
with a first sloping side wall 158. Sloping side wall 158 in turn merges with
a vertical
wall 160 having a pair of diametrically opposed indents 162 thereon. Indents
162 are
designed to fit within slots 152 on rim cover 150 to permit the placing and
the locking of
cover 26 in position (recesses 154). At the lower end of vertical wall 160,
there is
provided a second sloping wall 164 which terminates in a drip edge 166. Vents
159 are
formed in side wall 158.
In assembly, center hub 24 is placed within shroud 16 and perches 88 are
inserted
through perch openings 76 and screw threadedly engaged within radial arms 54.
Perches
88 may be adjusted to the desired distance to which they extend outwardly and
if desired,
circular perch 92 may be placed thereon and which circular perch 92 is
retained in
position by the distal ends of perches 88.
Outer portion 40 of lower feed container 14 is then placed such that hub
center
post 60 extends within tapered center post 44 of lower feed container 14. The
tapered
arrangement prevents binding when shroud 16 moves downwardly to deny access to
the
-9-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
feed access openings 38. The rib in the hub and the slot in the center post
maintain
alignment. In this respect, they are both tapered (two directions) to ensure
easy
movement of the parts.
Skirt 18 is then placed over outer portion 40 of lower feed container 14 and
seats
thereon. Inner wall 96 extends about the top of the shroud to cover the shroud
in both
positions. The skirt 18 also acts as a bumper and prevents a squirrel from
having any
access.
Inner portion 34 of lower feed container 14 is then placed in position with
tabs 37
engaging notches 43. Upper feed container 12 fits about the upwardly extending
portion
of the inner portion 34 of lower feed container 14.
Cover 26 is then placed in position with indents 162 passing through slots 152
on
rim cover 150; the cover 26 is then rotated such that the indents are engaged
with
recesses 154 to maintain cover 26 in position. A hanger 155 (Figure 1) engages
retaining
pin 123 and passes through an aperture formed in top wa11156 of cover 26. In
this
respect, a sealing member 157 extends between upper cap 130 and cover 26 to
prevent
the entry of any moisture. Sealing member 157 is under compression between
cover 26
and cap 130.
The above arrangement provides a unique squirrel resistant feeder which
provides
maximum benefits in operation.
The perches, as previously mentioned, are adjustable in length and can be
shortened to attract small birds such as chickadees and finches while
deterring larger
birds such as grackles and starlings. The ring system permits the user to
attract cardinals
who normally dislike turning their heads to feed. In a preferred embodiment,
the perches
-10-
CA 02367718 2002-01-11
can be locked into position by providing that the perch openings 76 in shroud
16 are
slightly off center with respect to channels 56 of center hub 24. Thus, when
wing
nut 146 is loosened, perches 88 may easily be inserted through the lined
openings or
apertures. A tightening of wing nut 46 will place the openings slightly off
center and
exert a pressure on perches 88 by side wall 70 of shroud 16. Alternatively,
screw
threads 58 in channel 56 may be designed to be somewhat resilient (similar to
a nylon
locking nut) to provide a greater locking security for perches 88.
The feeder of the present invention provides a ventilation system to permit
the
egress of hot air. As will be understood, due to the transparent nature of the
upper feed
container 12, solar energy will cause heating and it is desirable to provide
for ventilation.
The present invention utilizes two means to permit the egress of the heated
air - through
vents 159 and also through slots 152 on rim cover 150.
As will be seen in Figure 10, wall 41 is tapered inwardly at its lower
extremities.
This provides for an increasing distance between the shroud and wall 41 as may
be seen
in Figure 6. This enables any seed which is jammed between the shroud and wall
to
escape.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
-11-
