Animal husbandry – Birdbath
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-03
2004-02-03
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Birdbath
C239S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06684813
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a birdbath assemblage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination birdbath and fountain for attracting birds to the environment into which the birdbath assemblage is placed, which combination birdbath and fountain comprises improved structure for birdbath and fountain component maintenance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The study of birds is formally referred to as ornithology and within the broad compass of ornithologists is found a remarkable array of bird enthusiasts. They range from the person who notices which bird species visit the garden birdbath, to the shivering scientist recording the courtship behavior of a throng of Antarctic Adélie Penguins, to the computer buff trying to mathematically describe the fate of some host population subject to the parasitic attentions of cowbirds or cuckoos. To be sure, bird enthusiasts are well-numbered and these numbers continue to grow. Accordingly, markets continue to develop in an effort to cater to the growing needs and desires of the bird enthusiast population. In this last regard, it is noted that there are two avenues by which the typical bird lover or ornithologist pursues his or her study of birds. Either the bird enthusiast will travel to the ecosystem in which the various bird species live or the bird enthusiast will attempt to lure or attract various bird species to the “ecosystem” in which the bird enthusiast lives. It is with this latter trend in mind that the present invention is proposed. In other words, a growing desire among bird enthusiasts or bird watchers is to attract various species of birds to the vicinity of the residential abode or similar other setting in which the watcher spends a considerable amount of time.
The most successful way of attracting birds and increasing their number in a given setting is to satisfy their most basic needs—good food, nesting sites and water. In this regard, the birdbath is useful in any attempt to attract birds to a given setting, because water is as vital to birds as food. It is particularly important for seed-eating and fruit-eating birds. Birds will come to a birdbath throughout the year, both to drink and to bathe. Bathing helps maintain plumage in good condition and in hot weather, keeps birds cool. It is thus observed that a simple and effective means of attracting birds to a given residential setting or other similar-type setting is through the installation of a birdbath structure, which has been noted in the various prior art publications, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,806,123; 6,079,051; and 6,484,666. It is further noted that there is a wide range of birdbaths on the market, some of which are more ornamental than practical. Still further, it is noted that the prior art teaches a great variety of birdbaths, in general, and combination birdbath—fountains, in particular. Some of the more pertinent prior art relating to birdbaths and combination birdbath—fountains and the like is described hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,354,113 ('113 patent), which issued to Leverett, discloses a Birdbath. The '113 patent teaches a combination birdbath and fountain. The combination birdbath and fountain comprises a mina pedestal having a broad base and a water supply pipe. A basin rests atop the main pedestal. A cylindrical chamber enlarged at its upper end and comprising a plurality of perforations at the bottom end rests atop the basin. The chamber may be integrally formed with the basin or may rest atop the basin under its own weight. A plate is adapted to rest atop the chamber, which plate may carry a sundial or any other ornament. Thus, the Birdbath of the '113 patent comprises an open chamber, the sides whereof are perforated, with a fountain adapted to deliver water within the chamber, means for supplying water to said fountain, and a cover for the chamber adapted to obstruct the play of said fountain.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,806,123 ('123 patent), which issued to Smith, also discloses a Birdbath. The '123 patent teaches a birdbath structure comprising the combination of a vertically disposed hollow column and a removable water pan having a centrally located receptacle positionable atop the hollow column. The receptacle extends below the bottom surface of the water pan and is adapted to be received by said hollow column. The receptacle is surrounded by integral walls extending upwardly from the upper surface of said water pan. Further, a plurality of integral partitions extends upwardly, which partitions are disposed around the periphery of said water pan. The partitions thus form receptacles for the reception of materials such as bird food.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,781 ('781 patent), which issued to Wingfield, discloses a Bath Installation, in Particular for Birds. The '781 patent teaches a combination birdbath and fountain, which combination comprises a water container and tubular means supporting the water container. Conduit means are located inside the tubular supporting means and extend thereabove for constantly supplying water to the container. The conduit thus has an outlet at its upper end. The outlet is normally disposed above the level of the water in the water container. The tubular supporting means also serves as the medium for exhausting the water from the container. Upwardly opening drawing means are located at the upper end of the tubular supporting means above the bottom of the container and below the outlet of the conduit means. The water container is vertically adjustable and sealingly mounted on the tubular supporting means to vary the elevation of drain means relative to the bottom of the container whereby the level of the water in the container may be regulated and hose means secured to the conduit means.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,666, which issued to Plaisance, discloses a Combination Birdbath and Plant Receptacle Support. U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,666 teaches a birdbath comprising a tubular pedestal of generally circular horizontal section open at both ends and including an externally reduced, substantially cylindrical upper end portion. The upper end portion provides a generally horizontal, upwardly facing circumferential shoulder. A closure in the form of a flower pot comprising an enlarged, cylindrical support portion provides a horizontal, downwardly facing circumferential shoulder seated in the top of the pedestal for telescopically suspending the flower pot therein. Further, a circular saucer, for the reception of water, is mounted on the pedestal and includes a central hub telescopically receiving the reduced upper portion of said pedestal and is generally flush with the top thereof and rests on the first-named shoulder. The upper pedestal portion and the hub are cylindrical whereby the saucer is rotatably adjustable relative to the flower pot, removable from the pedestal and invertable thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,118 ('118 patent), which issued to Thompson, discloses a Self-Filling Birdbath System. The '118 patent teaches a self-filling birdbath system for utilizing rainwater collected within a conventional rain gutter system to fill and clean a birdbath. The devices includes a birdbath, a collection tube connectable to a drain spout of a rain gutter, a elbow tube coupled with the collection tube, a transporting tube coupled to the elbow tube opposite of the collection tube, and a fill tube coupled to the transporting tube and extending through the birdbath above the rim of the basin. Rainwater is accumulated within the rain gutter and is drained through the drain spout. The rainwater is then forced through the transporting tube through the fill tube and out a dispensing end where the water is dispensed into an animal access basin.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,951 ('951 patent), which issued to Morton, discloses a Birdbath Fountain. The '951 patent teaches an animal watering system, such as a birdbath, incorporating a water reservoir, a means to automatically maintain the level of water in the reservoir by admitti
Jordan Charles T.
Meroni & Meroni P.C.
Meroni, Jr. Charles F.
Scott Christopher J.
Shaw Elizabeth
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