Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PEST RESISTANT BIRD FEEDER
FIELD
[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to resistance to
intrusion by pests, such
as squirrels or large birds, into a supply of bird food in a bird feeder.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Attracting wild birds, particularly song birds, using bird feeders
is an increasingly
popular hobby. The ability to attract desired birds may be limited, however,
where the area in
which the bird feeder is stationed is frequented by pests, such as squirrels
and larger birds including
magpies. Many conventional bird feeders are susceptible to such pests
accessing and consuming
bird food in the bird feeder, thereby discouraging wild birds from visiting
the bird feeder and
greatly increasing the costs associated with the hobby by having to replace
the consumed bird food
in shorter intervals. These challenges are exacerbated in attempting to
distinguish between wild
birds and pests, such as squirrels, to ensure that the bird food is not denied
to the wild birds. It is
with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the
present disclosure were
conceived and developed.
SUMMARY
[0003] Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoing
problems by
providing systems and methods for resisting intrusion by a pest. In one
implementation, a reservoir
extends between a proximal end and a distal end, and the reservoir defines an
interior. A basin is
mounted to the reservoir. The basin has a basin body and a basin surface. A
sleeve assembly has
a sleeve body and a port defined in the sleeve body. A tensioner
translationally mounts the sleeve
body relative to the basin body. The sleeve body translates distally from an
accessible position to
an occluded position when a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a
weight threshold set
by the tensioner. The accessible position includes bird food on the basin
surface being accessible
through the port. The occluded position includes the port being disposed
distal to the basin surface
such that the bird food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.
[0004] In another implementation, a reservoir extends between a proximal
end and a distal end,
and the reservoir defines an interior. A dispenser is mounted to the distal
end of the reservoir. The
dispenser has a cavity. A basin has a basin body and a basin surface, and the
basin mounted to the
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dispenser. At least one dispensing surface is disposed relative to the
dispenser and the basin
surface. Bird food is dispensable through a dispensing opening from the cavity
onto the basin
surface using the at least one dispensing surface. A sleeve assembly has a
sleeve body and a port
defined in the sleeve body. A tensioner translationally mounts the sleeve body
relative to the basin
body. The sleeve body translates distally from an accessible position to an
occluded position when
a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a weight threshold set by the
tensioner. The
accessible position includes the bird food on the basin surface being
accessible through the port.
The occluded position includes the port being disposed distal to the basin
surface such that the bird
food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port. An adjuster
controls the weight
threshold set by the tensioner. The adjuster is disposed exterior to the
sleeve assembly. An
indicator is disposed in the interior of and visible through the reservoir,
and the indicator provides
a visual reference of the weight threshold.
[0005] In still another implementation, input is received at an adjuster.
The input controls a
weight threshold set by a tensioner. The adjuster is accessible from an
exterior of a bird feeder.
A visual reference of the weight threshold is displayed using an indicator,
and the visual reference
visible from the exterior of the bird feeder. An application of a weight of
the pest exceeding the
weight threshold is received on a sleeve assembly of the bird feeder. The
sleeve assembly has a
port defined in a sleeve body. The sleeve assembly is translated distally
relative to a basin in
response to the application of the weight of the pest. The basin has a basin
body and a basin
surface. The sleeve assembly is translated from an accessible position to an
occluded position.
The accessible position includes bird food on the basin surface being
accessible through the port,
and the occluded position includes the port being disposed distal to the basin
surface such that the
bird food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.
[0006] One general aspect includes a bird feeder resistant to intrusion by
a pest. The bird feeder
also includes a reservoir extending between a proximal end and a distal end,
the reservoir defining
an interior. The feeder also includes a dispenser mounted to the distal end of
the reservoir, the
dispenser having a cavity. The feeder also includes a basin having a basin
body and a basin surface,
the basin body including a side surface extending about the basin surface, the
side surface being
entirely solid and continuous from a proximal edge to a distal edge of the
side surface, such that
the side surface extends about a center of the basin body without openings,
the basin being
mounted to the dispenser. The feeder also includes at least one dispensing
surface disposed relative
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to the dispenser and the basin surface. The feeder also includes a dispensing
opening through which
bird food is dispensable from the cavity onto the basin surface using the at
least one dispensing
surface. The feeder also includes a sleeve assembly having a sleeve body and a
port defined in the
sleeve body. The feeder also includes a tensioner translationally mounting the
sleeve body relative
to the basin body, the sleeve body translating distally from an accessible
position to an occluded
position when a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a weight
threshold set by the
tensioner, the accessible position including the bird food on the basin
surface being accessible
through the port, the occluded position including the port being disposed
distal to the basin surface
such that the bird food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.
The feeder also
includes an adjuster controlling the weight threshold set by the tensioner,
the adjuster disposed
exterior to the sleeve assembly. The feeder also includes an indicator
disposed in the interior of
and visible through the reservoir, the indicator providing a visual reference
of the weight threshold.
[0007] Optional implementations provide the bird feeder where the sleeve
assembly includes a
perch extending from the sleeve body relative to the port. The occluded
position may include the
port being at least partially occluded by the basin body. The basin may be
mounted to the dispenser
with a basin mount. The basin mount may include the at least one dispensing
surface. The tensioner
may include a spring extending about a post, a tension of the spring setting
the weight threshold.
The adjuster may rotate the post, thereby adjusting the tension of the spring.
The indicator may
move along an indicator section of the post as the adjuster is rotated. The
port may be one of a
plurality of ports defined in the sleeve body
[0008] One general aspect includes a bird feeder resistant to intrusion by
a pest. The bird feeder
includes a reservoir extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the
reservoir defining an
interior. The feeder also includes a basin mounted to the reservoir, the basin
having a basin body
and a basin surface, the basin body including a side surface extending about
the basin surface, the
side surface being entirely solid and continuous from a proximal edge to a
distal edge of the side
surface, such that the side surface extends about a center of the basin body
without openings. The
feeder also includes a sleeve assembly having a sleeve body and a port defined
in the sleeve body.
The feeder also includes a tensioner translationally mounting the sleeve body
relative to the basin
body, the sleeve body translating distally from an accessible position to an
occluded position when
a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a weight threshold set by the
tensioner, the
accessible position including bird food on the basin surface being accessible
through the port, the
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occluded position including the port being disposed distal to the basin
surface such that the bird
food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.
[0009] Optional implementations provide the bird feeder where the basin is
indirectly mounted
to the reservoir. The basin may be indirectly mounted to the reservoir with
one or more of a
dispenser and a basin mount. The tensioner may include a spring extending
about a post, a tension
of the spring setting the weight threshold. The weight threshold may be
controlled by an adjuster
accessible from an exterior of the bird feeder. An indicator may provide a
visual reference of the
weight threshold. The side surface may be disposed distal to the port in the
accessible position and
the side surface may at least partially occlude the port in the occluded
position. The port may be
one of a plurality of ports defined in the sleeve body. A basin opening may be
defined in the basin
surface, the tensioner extending through the basin opening.
[0010] Other implementations are also described and recited herein.
Further, while multiple
implementations are disclosed, still other implementations of the presently
disclosed technology
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, which
shows and describes illustrative implementations of the presently disclosed
technology. As will
be realized, the presently disclosed technology is capable of modifications in
various aspects, all
without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed
technology. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature and not limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an example bird feeder that is
resistant to intrusion
by a pest.
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates the bird feeder having a reservoir with
different ornamental features.
[0013] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of an example cap assembly.
[0014] Figure 4 depicts a bottom perspective view of an example cap.
[0015] Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of an example cap lock.
[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a base assembly.
[0017] Figures 7A and 7B depict top perspective and bottom perspective
views, respectively,
of an example shield.
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[0018] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the base assembly with the
shield removed.
[0019] Figures 9 and 10 show top perspective and bottom perspective views,
respective, of the
base assembly with the shield removed.
[0020] Figures 11A, 11B, and 11C depict side, bottom perspective, and top
perspective views,
respectively, of an example sleeve.
[0021] Figures 12 and 13 show side and top perspective views, respectively,
of a base assembly
with the shield and sleeve assembly removed.
[0022] Figures 14A and 14B illustrates top perspective and bottom
perspective views,
respectively, of an example dispenser.
[0023] Figures 15 and 16 show side perspective and bottom perspective
views, respectively, of
the base assembly of Figures 12 and 13 with the dispenser also removed.
[0024] Figures 17A and 17B illustrate side perspective and bottom
perspective views,
respectively, of an example basin mount.
[0025] Figures 18A and 18B show top perspective and side perspective views,
respectively, of
an example basin.
[0026] Figures 19A and 19B depict top perspective and bottom perspective
views, respectively,
of an example perch mount assembly.
[0027] Figures 20A and 20B illustrate and example a proximal perch mount
assembly and a
distal perch mount assembly, respectively.
[0028] Figures 21 shows an example tensioner connected to an adjuster.
[0029] Figure 22 illustrates an example bird feeder with an indicator being
visible from an
exterior of the reservoir.
[0030] Figure 23 depicts an example cover for the tensioner.
[0031] Figure 24 shows a bottom perspective view of the tensioner connected
to the adjuster.
[0032] Figure 25 is a detailed view of the adjuster relative to the
tensioner and the basin mount.
[0033] Figures 26A, 26B, and 26C illustrate top, side perspective, and
bottom perspective views
of an example tensioner.
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[0034] Figure 27 is a detailed view of an adjuster lock connected to the
tensioner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Aspects of the presently disclosed technology relate to systems and
methods for resisting
intrusion by a pest, such as a squirrel, scavenger bird, and/or the like. In
one aspect, a bird feeder
includes a basin fixed relative to a reservoir. The basin includes a basin
body and a basin surface.
Bird food, such as seed, nuts, and/or the like, is directed from an interior
of the reservoir onto the
basin surface. For example, the bird feeder may include a dispenser that
directs the bird food
through a dispensing opening using one or more dispensing surfaces. A sleeve
assembly is
translationally mounted relative to the basin with a tensioner.
[0036] The tensioner is used to set a weight threshold corresponding to
pests for which to
prevent access to the bird food. For example, the weight threshold is set
above a typical weight of
wild birds to attract and at or below a typical weight of pests, which often
weigh more than the
wild birds. The weight threshold is set or otherwise controlled using an
adjuster that is accessible
from outside the bird feeder, such that the bird feeder does not have to be
disassembled to make
adjustments to the weight threshold. To further facilitate such adjustments,
and indicator is visible
from an exterior of the bird feeder to provide a visual reference of the
weight threshold and any
adjustments made. For example, the indicator may move proximally and distally
in coordination
with an increase and decrease in tension of the tensioner. The change in
tension adjusts the weight
threshold accordingly.
[0037] The weight threshold generally acts as a trigger for initiating pest
resisting mechanisms.
More particularly, in an absence of an application of weight to the sleeve
assembly and when the
application of weight is below the weight threshold (e.g., when one or more
wild birds are seated
on a perch of the sleeve assembly), the sleeve assembly remains in an
accessible position. Stated
differently, the tensioner biases the sleeve assembly into the accessible
position. In this position,
the bird food on the basin surface is accessible through one or more ports
defined in the sleeve
assembly. When the weight of a pest is applied to the sleeve assembly that
exceeds the weight
threshold, the bias of the tensioner is overcome, and the sleeve assembly
translates distally from
the accessible position to an occluded position. In this position, the bird
food on the basin surface
is inaccessible through the one or more ports, and the pest is therefore
unable to obtain the bird
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food. When the weight of the pest is removed from the sleeve assembly, the
bias of the tensioner
causes the sleeve assembly to translate proximally from the occluded position
to the accessible
position.
[0038] To begin a detailed description of an example bird feeder 100 that
is resistant to intrusion
by a pest, reference is made to Figure 1. In one implementation, the bird
feeder 100 extends
between a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104. A cap assembly 106 is
disposed at the proximal
end 102 and includes a hanger 108 for suspending the bird feeder 100. For
example, the hanger
108 may be used to suspend the bird feeder 100 from a tree limb, pole, post,
beam, or other
structure.
[0039] In one implementation, a reservoir 110 extends distally from the cap
assembly 106 to a
base assembly 112 disposed at the distal end 104 of the bird feeder 100. The
reservoir 110 includes
a wall defining an interior housing bird food. In one implementation, the
reservoir 110 includes
an opening at the proximal end 102 through which bird food is inserted into
the interior of the
reservoir 110. The opening into the interior of the reservoir 110 is removably
covered with the
cap assembly 106. As can be understood from Figures 1 and 2, the bird feeder
100 may include
various ornamental features. Examples of different ornamental features of the
reservoir 110 are
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It will be appreciated, however, that the bird
feeder 100 may include
various other ornamental features, including, but not limited to, the cap
assembly 106, the reservoir
110, the base assembly 112, and/or the like.
[0040] In one implementation, the base assembly 112 includes a sleeve
assembly 114
translationally mounted relative to the reservoir 110. Stated differently, the
sleeve assembly 114
is adapted to move proximally and distally along a longitudinal axis of the
bird feeder 100 relative
to the reservoir 110. The sleeve assembly 114 translates in response to an
application or removal
of weight to at least a portion of the sleeve assembly 114. For example, the
sleeve assembly 114
is biased into an accessible position and will translate distally in a
direction away from the reservoir
110 into an occluded position if a weight applied to at least a portion of the
sleeve assembly 114
exceeds a weight threshold. When the application of weight exceeding the
weight threshold is
removed, the sleeve assembly 114 translates proximally in a direction towards
the reservoir 110,
returning the sleeve assembly 114 into the accessible position.
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[0041] The sleeve assembly 114 moves in harmony as a single unit relative
to a reservoir
assembly. In one implementation, the sleeve assembly 114 includes one or more
ports 118, each
with a port hood 120 and a perch 122 disposed relative to the port 118. For
example, each of the
ports 118 may include a port hood 120 disposed proximal to the port 118 and a
perch 122 disposed
distal to the port 118. In the accessible position, wild birds may access the
bird food through the
ports 118, for example, while being seated on one of the perches 122. The
translation of the sleeve
assembly 114 restricts access to the bird food when a pest applies weight to
at least a portion of
the sleeve assembly 114.
[0042] To further restrict access to the bird food, the base assembly 112
includes a shield 116.
The shield 116 may be fixed to the reservoir 110, such that the reservoir
assembly includes the cap
assembly 106, the reservoir 110, and the shield 116, among other internal
components. The shield
116 acts as a barrier to the sleeve assembly 114, preventing a pest from
applying weight to the
reservoir assembly and reaching distally into one of the ports 118. Stated
differently, if a pest were
to apply its weight to the reservoir assembly only, the sleeve assembly
remains in the accessible
position, with the bird food accessible to the pest. As such, the shield 116
acts as a barrier
preventing the pest from accessing the bird food in this arrangement. The port
hoods 120 may
serve as a further barrier to the ports 118. The shield 116 and port hoods 120
may further provide
protection to the wild birds while feeding.
[0043] Referring to Figures 3-5, in one implementation, the hanger 108
includes a hanger body
204 extending between a proximal end 200 and a distal end 206. Each of the
proximal end 200
and the distal end 206 may be in the form of or otherwise include a loop,
hook, and/or the like.
The hanger body 204 extends through and is translatable relative to the cap
assembly 106. In one
implementation, to facilitate disassembly, cleaning, suspension, and other
actions, the hanger 108
is unattached from any other components of the bird feeder 100. Stated
differently, in this
arrangement, the hanger 108 is exclusively attached to the cap assembly 106
and is translatable
with respect thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the hanger 108 may
be fixed or
connected in various manners to other components.
[0044] In one implementation, the cap assembly 106 includes a cap 208 having
an inner surface
210 defining a cap cavity 220. The cap 208 may be releasably connectable with
the proximal end
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
of the reservoir 110 to cover the opening into the interior. In one
implementation, a cap lock 212
having reservoir locking ring is attached to the inner surface 210 and
disposed within the cap cavity
220. For example, the cap 208 may have one or more cap connectors 222
connected to
corresponding lock connectors 226. A hanger bar 216 extends between the
reservoir locking ring
of the cap lock 212 to translationally mount the hanger 108 to the cap
assembly 106. More
particularly, in one implementation, the hanger body 204 extends through a cap
opening 224 in
the cap 208, a lock opening 214 in the cap lock 212, and a bar opening 218 of
the hanger bar 216.
In this arrangement, the proximal end 200 and the distal end 206 of the hanger
108 each act as a
stop to prevent the hanger body 204 from disconnecting from the cap assembly
106. The hanger
body 204 is permitted to translate within each of the openings 224, 214, and
218. However, the
proximal end 200 cannot translate through the cap opening 224, and the distal
end 206 cannot
translate through the bar opening 218.
[0045]
Turning to Figures 6-7B, in one implementation, the base assembly 112 includes
a
tensioner 600 translationally mounting the sleeve assembly 114 to the
reservoir assembly, which
may include the shield 116 fixed to the reservoir 110. In one implementation,
the shield 116
includes a shield body 400 extending distally and radially outwardly from a
shield locking
ring 404. The distal end of the reservoir 110 may be mounted to the shield
locking ring 404. A
distal shield body 402 extends distally from an inner surface of the shield
body 400. In one
implementation, the distal shield body 402 is indented from an edge of the
shield body 400, such
that the distal shield body 402 is positioned radially inwardly from an outer
circumference of the
shield body 400.
[0046] A shield opening 406 extends through the shield 116 from the shield
locking ring 404
to the distal shield body 402. Referring to Figures 7A-8, in one
implementation, an inner edge of
the shield locking ring 404 is offset from the distal shield body 402 to
provide a shelf separating
the reservoir 110 and a sleeve 500 of the sleeve assembly 114. The shelf may
further prevent the
sleeve 500 from translating proximally past the accessible position. As
described herein, the sleeve
assembly 114 is translatable distally from the accessible position shown in
Figure 8 in a direction
away from the reservoir 110, as indicated by the arrow, into the occluded
position. In one
implementation, an entirety of the sleeve assembly 114, including a sleeve
body 502 of the sleeve
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
500, a sleeve base 504 of the sleeve 500, the perches 122, the ports 118, and
the port hoods 120
translates in harmony.
[0047] As can be understood from Figures 9-10, in one implementation, the base
assembly 112
includes a cavity 124 in communication with the interior of the reservoir 110
for receiving bird
food from the interior of the reservoir 110 and directing it for dispensing.
The cavity 124 may be
defined, at least in part, by a dispenser 700 positioned within the sleeve
assembly 114. In one
implementation, the tensioner 600 is mounted within the cavity 124 and extends
proximally into
the interior of the reservoir 110. An adjuster 800 is positioned outside of
the sleeve 500 or is
otherwise accessible from an exterior of the base assembly 112. For example,
the adjuster 800
may be positioned on or otherwise accessible through a sleeve distal end 506
of the sleeve 500 at
the distal end 104 of the bird feeder 100.
[0048] Referring to Figures 11A-11C, in one implementation, the sleeve 500
includes one or
more sleeve port openings 508 defined in the sleeve body 502. The sleeve port
openings 508 from
the ports 118. The sleeve body 502 may further include one or more perch
openings 510 through
which the perches 122 extend relative to the sleeve port openings 508. The
sleeve body 502
extends distally to the sleeve distal end 506 and defines a sleeve cavity 518.
The sleeve cavity 518
houses the internal components forming the cavity 124, including, but not
limited to, the dispenser
700.
[0049] In one implementation, the sleeve distal end 506 includes an
adjustment surface 512
with one or more adjustment receivers 514 defined therein. For example, the
adjustment receivers
514 may be cutouts disposed radially about a sleeve opening 516. The
adjustment surface 512 is
adapted to engage the adjuster 800, with the adjustment receivers 514 adapted
to control an
adjustment of the tensioner 600 using the adjuster 800, as described herein.
The adjuster 800 may
connect to the tensioner 600 via the sleeve opening 516.
[0050] Turning to Figures 12-14B, in one implementation, the adjuster 800
is connected to the
tensioner 600 with an adjuster lock 1100. As described herein, the tensioner
600 translationally
mounts the sleeve assembly 114 with respect to the reservoir assembly. In one
implementation,
the reservoir assembly includes the dispenser 700 is fixed to a basin 900 with
the sleeve assembly
114, including a perch mount assembly 1000, translatable with respect thereto.
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[0051] The dispenser 700 includes a dispenser body 702 extending from a
proximal dispensing
edge 706 to a distal dispending edge 716 and defining the cavity 124. In one
implementation, one
or more dispenser lockers 708 extend proximally and are adapted to mount to
the distal end of the
reservoir 110. The dispenser body 702 may include a dispenser shelf 710 upon
which a distal edge
of the distal end of the reservoir 110 sits when the reservoir 110 is
connected to the dispenser 700.
Similarly, one or more legs 712 may extend distally from the dispensing body
702 to mount the
dispenser 700 relative to a basin surface 904 of a basin body 902 of the basin
900. In one
implementation, the legs 712 are mounted to the basin body 902 with a basin
mount 1200.
[0052]
With reference to Figures 13-18B, the dispenser body 702 includes a dispensing
cavity 714 that at least partially defines the cavity 124. For example, the
cavity 124 may be defined
by the dispensing body 702, the basin surface 902, and one or more dispensing
surfaces 1204. In
one implementation, the dispenser 700 includes one or more directing surfaces
704 adapted to
direct the bird food from the cavity 124 onto the dispensing surfaces 1204,
which direct the bird
food onto the basin surface 904 via one or more dispensing openings 126.
[0053] As shown in Figures 15-17B, the one or more dispensing surfaces 1204
may be disposed
on the basin mount 1200. In one implementation, the basin mount 1200 includes
the one or more
dispensing surfaces 1204 curving radially outwardly from a mount body 1202.
One or more
dividers 1206 may be connected to or otherwise extending from the basin mount
1200 to form the
dispensing openings 126 and ensure that the bird food is evenly distributed
onto the basin surface
904.
[0054] In one implementation, an inner mount body 1208 extends proximally from
the mount
body 1202 and includes a proximal mount opening 1212 from which the tensioner
600 extends.
The inner mount body 1207 may be disposed radially inwardly from an outer
circumference of the
mount body 1202 forming a mount shelf 1210. The mount body 1202 may have
various
connection points, including one or more cover receivers 1214 and one or more
mount connectors
1216. The mount connectors 1216 are configured to connect the legs 712 of the
dispenser 700 to
the basin 900. For example, as shown in Figures 18A-18B, the basin 900 may
include one or more
basin connectors 908 for connecting to the legs 712 and the mount connectors
1216.
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[0055] As described herein, the tensioner 600 translationally mounts the
sleeve assembly 114
to the reservoir assembly. In one implementation, the basin mount 1200
includes a distal mount
body 1218 disposed in a mount cavity 1224. The distal mount body 1218 extends
distally from
the mount body 1202 under the one or more dispensing surfaces 1204. The distal
mount body 1218
may be integral with or separate from the mount body 1202. The distal mount
body 1218 defines
a distal mount opening 1220. The proximal mount opening 1212 may connect with
the distal
mount opening 1220 to form a continuous opening through the basin mount 1200.
The tensioner
600 may extend through a basin opening 906 and the openings 1212 and 1220 and
be connected
to the sleeve assembly 114, such that a portion of the sleeve assembly 114
and/or the tensioner 600
translates within the openings 1212 and/or 1220 relative to the basin mount
1200. In one
implementation, the basin mount 1200 includes one or more mount channels 1222
to guide the
translation within and relative to the basin mount 1200.
[0056] As described herein, the basin 900 is fixed within the reservoir
assembly and the sleeve
assembly 114 translates in relation thereto between the accessible position
and the occluded
position. The accessible position includes the basin surface 904 being
accessible via the one or
more ports 118, and the occluded position includes the basin surface 904 being
inaccessible via
the one or more ports 118. In one implementation, the occluded position
includes the ports 118
being disposed distal to the basin surface 904 such that the basin body 902 at
least partially
occludes the ports 118. For example, the basin body 902 may include a proximal
portion 910 and
a distal portion 912 forming a side surface that may at least partially
occlude the ports 118 in the
occluded position. In the accessible position, the side surface may be
disposed distal to the ports
118 such that the basin surface 904 is accessible.
[0057] Turning to Figures 19A-20B, in one implementation, the sleeve
assembly 114 includes
the perch mount assembly 1000. The perch mount assembly 1000 includes a perch
mount
body 1002 having a perch mount opening 1004. In one implementation, the
tensioner 600 extends
through the perch mount opening 1004, and the perch mount body 1002 extends
into the distal
mount opening 1220 of the basin mount 1200. The tensioner 600 continues
extends from the perch
mount body 1002 through the proximal mount opening 1212 of the basin mount
1200 into the
cavity 124 and/or the interior of the reservoir 110. One or more mount tabs
1012 may be disposed
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
on the perch mount body 1002 and receivable in the one or more mount channels
1222 to guide
the translation of the perch mount assembly 1000 within and relative to the
basin mount 1200.
[0058] In one implementation, the perch mount assembly 1000 includes one or
more perch
mounts 1006 extending radially outwardly from a perch mount base 1008. The
perch mounts 1006
each engage one of the perches 122 within a perch channel 1010. The perch
mounts 1006 may
each include ratchets or similar features for adjusting a length of the perch
122 extending
outwardly from the edge of the perch mount 1006.
[0059] The perch mount assembly 1000 may be one integral component or
separable into a
proximal perch mount assembly 1014 and a distal perch mount assembly 1015. In
one
implementation, the perch mount opening 1004 is formed at the distal end by a
proximal perch
mount opening 1022 and a distal perch mount opening 1030. Similarly, the perch
mount base 1008
is formed by a proximal perch mount base 1018 connected to a distal perch
mount base 1026. A
proximal perch mount 1016 is engaged to a distal perch mount 1024 to form each
of the perch
mounts 1006, with a proximal perch channel 1020 defined in the proximal perch
mount 1016 being
disposed relative to a distal perch channel 1028 defined in the distal perch
mount 1024 to form the
perch channel 1010.
[0060] The tensioner 600 extends through the perch mount opening 1004 into the
basin
mount 1200, thereby translationally mounting the sleeve assembly 114 relative
to the fixed
reservoir assembly, including the basin 900. The tensioner 600 may extend
through the cavity 124
into the interior of the reservoir 110. As can be understood from Figures 21-
23, in one
implementation, a cover 1300 protects the tensioner 600 within the interior of
the bird feeder 100,
including the cavity 124 and the interior of the reservoir 110, from contact
with the bird food,
while ensuring that an indicator 606 is visible from an exterior of the bird
feeder 100 for visual
reference regarding the weight threshold.
[0061]
In one implementation, the cover 1300 includes a cover body 1302 defining a
cover
opening 1308 into which a portion of the tensioner 600 extends. For example,
the cover body 1302
may connect to the mount body 1202 with the tensioner 600 extending from the
inner mount body
1208 into the cover opening 1308. A distal edge of the cover body 1302 may be
connect to the
mount shelf 1210 of the mount body 1202 with the inner mount body 1208 of the
basin mount
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
1200 extending into the cover opening 1308. The cover 1300 may be secured to
the basin mount
1200 with a first cover arm1304 and a second cover arm 1306 engaged to the
mount body 1202
with the cover receivers 1214.
[0062] Referring to Figures 21-24, in one implementation, the tensioner 600
includes a post
602 extending into the cover opening 1308. Within the cover opening 1308, the
tensioner 600
includes a spring 604 extending about the post 602. The spring 604 may include
a distal face
configured to compress against a compressing surface of the inner mount body
1208 upon an
application of weight to the sleeve assembly 114. The spring 604 will compress
against the
compressing surface according to a spring bias based on the weight threshold
set using the adjuster
800. The greater the spring bias, the higher the weight threshold, and the
lower the spring bias,
the lower the weight threshold. As the adjuster 800 is used to control the
weight threshold, the
indicator 606 correspondingly adjusts the visible reference, which can be seen
from an exterior of
the bird feeder 100, for example as shown in Figure 22. In one implementation,
a rotation of the
adjuster 800 rotates the post 602, which translates the indicator 606
proximally or distally in
coordination thereto.
[0063] In one implementation, the post 602 includes an indicator section
610 disposed on a
proximal post section 608. The spring 604 extends about the proximal post
section 608 distally
from the indicator 606, which is adapted to rotate about and translate along
the indicator
section 610 towards and away from a post tip 612. The movement of the
indicator 606 changes
the bias of the spring 604 in coordination with the rotation of the post 602
by the adjuster 800 and
provides a visual reference of the change and weight threshold. The post 602
includes a post base
622 connectable to the adjustor 800 using the adjuster lock 1100. The post 602
may further include
one or more distal post sections (e.g., first and second distal post sections
614-616) and one or
more post bodies (e.g., first and second post bodies 618-620) extending
through or otherwise
connecting with the basin mount 1200, the perch mount assembly 1000, and/or
the like.
[0064] Figure 25 shows the tensioner 600 extending from the distal mount
opening 1220 of the
basin mount 1200 to connect with the adjuster 800, with the perch mount
assembly 1000 removed
for clarity. As can be understood from Figures 25-27, in one implementation,
the adjuster 800
includes an adjuster body 802 with a first adjuster leg 806 and a second
adjuster leg 808 extending
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
from a distal surface 804. A post receiver 812 extends from a proximal surface
818 and defines a
receiver opening 814. In one implementation, the receiver opening 814 includes
one or more
receiver channels 816 configured to receive corresponding protrusions on the
post base 622. The
adjuster lock 1102 includes a lock engager 1104 extending from an adjuster
lock body 1102
through a lock opening 824 of the adjuster body 802 into a lock opening 624 in
the post base 622.
With the post base 622 engaged within the receiver opening 814, a rotation of
the adjuster body
802 using the adjuster legs 806 and 808 is translated to the post 602 of the
tensioner 600 via the
mating relationship of the protrusions of the post base 622 with the receiver
channels 816.
Rotation of the post 602 moves the indicator 606 along the indicator section
610 (rotationally and
translationally), thereby increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring
606 and changing the
weight threshold.
[0065] As described herein, the adjuster 800 is accessible from an exterior
of the bird
feeder 100, while the indicator 606 provides a visual reference visible from
an exterior of the bird
feeder 100, to facilitate a controlled adjustment of the weight threshold
without disassembly of the
bird feeder 100. In one implementation, the adjuster 800 may be mounted
outside the sleeve
assembly 114 relative to the adjustment surface 512 of the sleeve 500. The
proximal surface 818
may be disposed adjacent the adjustment surface 512, such that the adjuster
body 802 rotates about
the sleeve opening 516. In one implementation, the adjuster 800 includes an
adjuster tab 810
defined by a slit 822 in the adjuster body 802, such that the adjuster tab 810
is movable relative to
the adjuster body 802. The adjuster tab 810 includes a protrusion 820
extending proximally from
the adjuster tab 810 and engageable to the adjustment receivers 514. The
engagement of the
protrusion 820 of the adjuster tab 810 to one of the adjustment receivers 514
holds the adjuster
800 in place and as such the tensioner 600 at a set weight threshold. Rotating
the adjuster body
802 using the adjuster legs 806 and 808 moves the protrusion about the sleeve
opening 516 until
a desired weight threshold is reached and the protrusion 820 is engaged to a
corresponding
adjustment receiver 514.
[0066] Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific
order or hierarchy of
steps in the methods described herein can be rearranged while remaining within
the disclosed
subject matter. Any accompanying method claims present elements of the various
steps in a sample
order and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or
hierarchy presented.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
[0067] It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant
advantages will be
understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various
changes may be made
in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing
from the disclosed
subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form
described is merely
explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and
include such changes.
[0068] The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete
description of the
structure and use of example implementations of the invention. Various
modifications and
additions can be made to the exemplary implementations discussed without
departing from the
spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. For example, while the
implementations
described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure
also includes
implementations having different combinations of features and implementations
that do not
include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presently
disclosed technology
is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations
together with all
equivalents thereof.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
