Animal husbandry – Feeding device – Having a perch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-02-27
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Feeding device
Having a perch
C119S052300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192832
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bird feeders, specifically to bird feeders designed to prevent squirrels and other unwanted animals from pilfering birdseed from the feeder.
Interest in feeding birds has grown rapidly in last decade from a relatively small number of hobbyists to the mainstream population. In addition, the baby boomer population is increasingly moving into retirement age, finding more free time to enjoy their yards and nearby bird wildlife. Feeding birds is also a valuable educational experience for children by teaching them about the environment around their homes and by nurturing basic respect for the animal world.
Bird feeders typically attract a wide variety of desirable birds. In spite of this fact, bird feeders also attract highly undesirable birds and nuisance animals. Undesirable birds pilfer large amounts of birdseed, take over feeding stations keeping smaller birds away, leave large amounts of bird droppings, flock upon yards, and take over nesting sites. In addition, animals such as gray and red squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons pilfer large amounts of birdseed, destroy bird feeders, take over nesting sites, and possibly cause undo havoc upon property dwellings. A once enjoyable bird watching experience can quickly become a frustrating circus-like environment. It is not uncommon to see many undesirable birds flock in yards and squirrels and other pesky animals scramble about for the birdseed.
To combat nuisance problems associated with feeding birds, many products on the market incorporate deterrent features. The feeders typically include a guard, closing mechanism, or other deterrent features designed to accommodate desirable birds while preventing unwanted animals. One product sited in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,089 by Morganson uses a rotatable cover to close access to the feed tray and additional dislodge the animal. Although the design may be useful in some cases, it incorporates stops which limit the full potential of dislodging the animal. Another example illustrated by Riggi U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,865, closes a roof section upon the feeder tray which prevents access. This solution allows the squirrel or other pest to climb about the feeder and develop alternate means to access the feed. An electrical shock mechanism is used by inventor Collins U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,951. Any heavy animal is electrically shocked while trying to access the seed. This deterrent method might be considered unnecessary and also suggests a need for an electrical wiring solution.
While these and many other products currently on the market promote squirrel deterrent features, they also suffer from a number of disadvantages:
(A) Feeders with tilt mechanisms or partial rotational features are functionally limited in their ability to dislodge unwanted animals. The limited range of movement or rotation angle allows the animal to cling on or climb on top of the feeder causing undo disruption, damage, or alternate means to access the bird seed.
(B) Many squirrel proof feeders are designed using only one deterrent feature such as a counterweight lever, an unsteady perch, a pivoting body section, a sliding guard, etc. Although some methods are effective upon direct contact against the feature, the overall deterrent qualities of the feeder is limited to an isolated location. An animal is therefore free to climb about the feeder and discover alternate means to access the seed.
(C) Other feeders provide some protection against unwanted animals yet they fall short of eliminating larger birds that consume large amounts of birdseed, often preventing more desirable birds from feeding.
(D) Other feeders limit access by intimidating screens. The screens usually prevent unwanted animals, but also discourage desirable birds that are slightly too big or suspicious by nature and unwilling to pass through the screen holes. These birds would otherwise benefit from an open feeding station.
(E) Many selective feeders are limited with respect to the location and method of attachment. The feeder often requires special means of attachment such as a post, and typically does not accommodate hanging from a tree limb, the most cost effective and desirable installation for consumers.
(F) Some feeders use an electrical shock mechanism to prevent animals from climbing or standing on the feeder. The shock type feeders require electrical wires, cords, or batteries that add one-time and ongoing cost and maintenance. It also imposes upon the consumer to create a power supply solution or the need to monitor the batteries useful charge life.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
To provide a bird feeder that operates in a full range (360 degrees) of rotation maximizing the feeder's effectiveness in dislodging unwanted animals.
To provide a bird feeder that employs various deterrent features operating independently or mutually to resist, dislodge and discourage unwanted animal attempts.
To provide a bird feeder that is discriminatory based on the weight of animals and prevents unwanted larger birds from feeding. To provide a bird feeder that is open and accessible.
To provide a bird feeder that can be hung or mounted anywhere such as a tree, horizontal support member, or vertical support member.
To provide a bird feeder that is mechanically effective in preventing unwanted animals from feeding.
Additional advantages beneficial to the consumer include a rotatable bird feeder that does not require additional squirrel deterrent accessory devices such as guards, baffles, or special poles that add additional cost. A highly adjustable and easy to use feeder. A feeder that can be produced in a variety of materials and finishes, a feeder with integrated features such as a weather awning and integrated perch, a feeder that adds an element of entertainment. Yet other advantages will become evident in the following summary, description, and detailed drawings figures.
The rotatable squirrel proof bird feeder of the present invention embodies a horizontal shaft with rotatable sleeves suspended from vertical or horizontal brace(s). A seed receptacle with feed portals is disposed midpoint and fixed to the shaft. A counter-weighted shell includes a window opening, weather awning, and rotatable perch assembly. The shell is fully rotatable on the shaft closely surrounding the perimeter of the seed receptacle. The shell is capable of spinning freely about the shaft between an open feeding position and a closed rotating position. In the open feeding position, the window opening and perch assembly align with the feed portals. In the closed rotating position, the shell fully rotates (360 degrees) either in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction displacing the window opening by the shell, closing access to the feed portals.
In the open feeding position, A weight knob attached to the shell biases the alignment of the window opening and perch with the feed portals. Birds of preferred weight land on the perch and reach through the window opening to the feed portals.
In the closed rotating position, an unwanted animal can trigger several deterrent reactions. The shaft sleeves rotate and immediately challenge an animal approaching from the side. As the animal falters and tries to correct itself by grasping the shell, the shell spins about the shaft and challenges the animal. If the animal tries to grasp the perch assembly, the perch rotates which, at a minimum, rotates the shell and closes access to the feed portals. If the animal tries to reclaim a favorable position, the rotating features operate alone or jointly to prevent the animal from gaining a stable position on the feeder, and ultimately the animal is dislodged. During the animal attempt, the spinning disruption from shaft sleeves, the shell, and perch assembly is isolated from the fixed seed receptacle. After the animal attempt, the weight knob restores the feeder back to the open feeding position, biasing alignment between the window opening and the feed portals.
REFERENCES:
patent:
Abbott Yvonne R.
Poon Peter M.
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