CA 02253774 1998-11-24
Description
Title
Bird Feeder Device with Multiple Concentric Perching Rings
Technical Field
This invention relates to bird feeders, more particularly to
a bird feeder having perching rings.
Backgrround Art
There are many instances where it would be desirable to be
able to provide means for both small birds and large birds to
access the seed or other food in a bird feeder.
A large number of patents disclose bird feeders with perching
rods or rings in different configurations.
These prior art arrangements do not accommodate birds of
different sizes at the same time.
Description of the Invention
It is a primary object of the invention to provide a bird
feeder which universally accommodates birds of different sizes at
the same time.
It is another object of the invention to provide a bird
feeder which has a modular construction.
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CA 02253774 1998-11-24
One aspect of the invention provides a plurality of
concentric perching rings to permit both small birds and large
birds to access the seed or other food on the feeding platform at
the same time. When eating the seed or other food on the feeding
platform, smaller birds may stand on a concentric perching ring
with smaller diameter, while larger birds may stand on a
concentric perching ring with larger diameter. A substantially
spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel guard may be securely attached
to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from gaining access to
the seed or other food on the feeding platform.
Another aspect of the invention provides a means for water
molecules to escape from the feeding platform so that the water
that falls in the form of rain or snow escapes without rotting the
seed or other food on the feeding platform.
Another aspect of the invention provides a mechanism for the
bird feeder to also feed water or other liquid to birds.
Another aspect of the invention provides a mechanism for a
plurality of bird feeder devices to be stacked together vertically
so that a plurality of seed containers with different seed or
other food may be offered to birds of different kinds.
Another aspect of the invention provides a means for
illumination inside the substantially spherical or ellipsoidal
squirrel guard.
Brief Description of the Fig~~ures in the Drawings
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In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 marked "Prior Art" is a perspective view of a
conventional bird feeder with a single perching icing;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bird
:feeder device with multiple concentric perching :rings according to
'the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bird feeder device with multiple concentric perching rings
.according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the invention along line
.I - I of Figure 2 and Figure 3 ;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the invention along line
;I I - I I of Figure 2 and Figure 3 ;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the
:invention; and
Figure 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the
:invention.
lodes for Carrying Out the Invention
In a conventional bird feeder shown in Figure 1 marked "Prior
i~rt", a feeding platform ~1 having a single perching ring supports
~~ food container 2, and a removable cover 3 is placed on top of
the food container 2. The feeding platform 1 is mounted to the
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top end of the post 5 via a substantially spheri~~al or ellipsoidal
squirrel guard 4. A plura~_ity of: openings along the bottom
periphery of the food container 2 allow the seed or other food in
the food container 2 to descend to the feeding platform 1 by
~~ravity.
The single perching ring on the feeding platform 1 of the
conventional bird feeder does not permit both small and large
birds to access the seed on other food on the feeding platform 1.
The size of the perching ring must be selectively predetermined
:For either small birds or large birds.
Additionally, the feeding platform 1 of the conventional bird
:Feeder does not provide means for water molecules to escape from
'the feeding platform l, causing the water that falls in the form
of rain or snow to remain still and rot the seed or other food on
the feeding platform 1.
According to the present invention shown in Figure 2 and in
Figure 3, a circular feeding platform 1 having a plurality of
concentric perching rings supports a cylindrical food container 2,
and a removable cover 3 is placed on top of the ~~ylindrical food
container 2 by sliding or screwing. A plurality of openings along
the bottom periphery of the cylindrical food container 2 allow the
seed or other food in the food cantainer 2 to descend to the
~~ircular feeding platform 1 by gravity.
The circular feeding platform 1 has a plurality of concentric
perching rings of different: dia~ters and heights in order to
universally accommodate birds of different sizes and shapes at the
.same time.
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The circular feeding platform l, the cylindrical food
container 2 and the removable cover 3 are made of a plastic
material.
In one embodiment of t:he invention shown in Figure 2, a
:substantially spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel guard 4 is mounted
below the substantially circular feeding platform 1. A post 5
supports the substantially spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel guard
~4 in pole mount configuration to prevent a squirrel or like ground
animal from gaining access to the seed or other :Food on the
:Feeding platform 1.
In another embodiment of the invention show:z in Figure 3, a
:substantially spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel guard 4 is mounted
~s.bove the removable cover ~. A hook 6 supports the substantially
spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel. guard ~ in overhead mount
configuration to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from
~laining access to the seed or other food on the :Feeding platform
:1 .
The concentric ring canfiguration of the present invention
permits both small birds arid large birds to easi:Ly access the seed
or other food on the substantially circular feeding platform 1.
Tf desired, the substantially spherical or ellipsoidal
:squirrel guard 4 may contain a means for night illumination such
~~s an electric light bulb ar a phosphorescent paint.
Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the bird feeder device
along line I-I of Figure 2 and Figure 3. The feeding platform 1
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leas a plurality of concentric perching rings 1 -Z and 1- 2. A
plurality of openings 1 -3 are provided for the water to escape
:from the feeding platform 1.
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the bird feeder device
belong line II-II of Figure 2 and Figure 3. The food container 2
lzas a plurality of openings 2 - 1 along the bottom periphery to
<allow the seed or other food to descend to the feeding platform 1
by gravity. These openings 2 -1 are placed higher than the feeding
platform 1 in order to prevent the water from leaking into the
:Food container 2. The food container 2 also has a plurality of
openings 2 -2 along the tap periphery to allow the water molecules
to escape from the food container 2. The feeding platform 1 has a
plurality of concentric perching rings 1 -1 and 1-2. A plurality
of openings 1- 3 are provided for the water to escape from the
:Feeding platform 1. A removable cover 3 is placed on top of the
:Food container 2.
In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6, the
:removable cover 3 is inverted so as to hold water or other liquid.
The removable cover 3 is water-proof so that the water or other
:Liquid does not leak to the food container 2 or to the feeding
platform 1.
In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7, a
plurality of bird feeder devices are stacked together vertically
.in a modular fashion. The removable cover 3 of the lower bird
feeder device supports the feeding platform 1 of the upper bird
feeder device. The removable cover 3 of the upper bird feeder
device may be inverted to hold water or other liquid. Each food
~~ontainer 2 may contain specific seed or other food for birds of
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specific kind.
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