Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

There have been numerous attempts over the years to design a bird feeder which is truly squirrel proof. Certain of the feeders available may be designed for a specific purpose or installation and may be relatively squirrel proof when so used. As a general purpose bird feeder, however, such designs have proven inadequate. Conversely, general purpose bird feeders have been found lacking with regard to their squirrel proof function.

It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide an improved bird feeder of desirably simple and economic construction which is truly squirrel proof and which is adapted to a wide variety of uses so as to be fairly characterized as a general purpose bird feeder.

In fulfillment of the foregoing object, a counter weight operated squirrel proof bird feeder is provided with first and second housings telescopically related in a substantially vertical direction. The inner housing has an associated means for supporting the same substantially in a fixed position vertically. Preferably, the supporting means carries the inner housing in depending relationship and may itself be suspended from a tree limb or the like in spaced relationship therebeneath.

The outer housing is vertically slidable on and about the inner housing between upper and lower positions. Each of the housings has at least one opening in a side wall thereof with the openings in the two housings in substantially horizontal alignment and in communication so as to provide a through opening or "feed port" when the outer housing is in its upper position. With the outer housing in its lower position, the openings in the two housings are substantially misaligned horizontally and in substantial non-communication such that no significant through opening or "feed port" exists. A bottom wall is provided in the inner housing to support bird seed and the like therewithin for access through the port or openings when the latter are in communication. A counterweight means operatively connected with the outer housing urges the same toward its upper position. The weight of the counterweight is selected so as not to be overcome by the weight of an average or typical bird to be fed but so as to be readily overcome by the weight of an average or typical squirrel. Thus a squirrel on the outer housing will cause the latter to move to its lower position and close the feed port or through opening.

Preferably there are a plurality of pairs of cooperating openings in the two housings for opening and closing operation as aforesaid respectively with the outer housing in its upper and lower positions. Further, a pair of counterweights are provided in accordance with the presently preferred practice and support lines therefore extend over associated pulleys and thence downwardly for connection with the outer housing. As mentioned, the counterweights are selected to maintain the outer housing in its upper position despite the weight of a small bird on the housing but, the counterweight is insufficient to sustain the weight of a squirrel on the housing whereupon the housing descends to its lower position and the ports or feed openings are closed.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a fragmentary vertical section through the improved bird feeder of the present invention with the outer housing shown in its upper position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to FIG. 1 but showing the outer housing in its lower position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 an improved bird feeder constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 10 and comprises first and second or inner and outer housings 12, 14 in telescopic relationship in a substantially vertical direction. That is, the inner housing 12 is fixed vertically while the outer housing 14 is moveable vertically relative thereto and thereabout. In FIG. 1, the outer housing 14 is shown in a first or upper position and in FIG. 2 the housing is illustrated in its second or lower position. Preferably and as illustrated, the housings 12 and 14 each take a hollow generally cylindrical configuration viewed vertically. A support means for the inner housing 12 may vary widely within the scope of the present invention and may comprise an upstanding post, for example, with an opening in a bottom wall 16 of the outer housing receiving the same for connection with a bottom wall 18 of the inner housing. Preferably, however, a support member 20 is provided and may take a circular configuration somewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of the inner housing 12. Thus, with the inner housing 12 attached at 22,22 to the member 20, the outer portion of the member 20 extends horizontally substantially beyond the peripheral surface of the housing 12 as shown. A connecting means may be provided as in the form of a hook 24 for suspending the support member 20 and the bird feeder assembly in spaced relationship beneath a limb of a tree or the like.

As illustrated, horizontal openings 26,26 may be provided at an upper end portion of the inner housing 12 for ready access in introducing bird seed or the like to the interior of the housing. A removable top or cover 28 is also provided at an upper end portion of the housing.

In accordance with the invention, at least one opening is provided in a side wall of each of the housings 12 and 14 and, as shown, a plurality of openings are provided in each of the housings four (4) shown at 32 and 34 respectively. That is, openings 32,32 in the inner housing co-operate with openings 34,34 in the outer housing 14. Pairs of openings 32,34 serve as feed ports for birds as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, when the outer housing 14 is in its upper position, each pair of openings 32,34 is in substantial horizontal alignment and in communication to provide through openings for ready access to the interior of inner housing 12 and bird seed or the like therein. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a bird such as the small bird 36 may perch on a bottom edge of an opening 34 and thus readily access bird seed and the like through opening 34 and the corresponding opening 32. Hoods or hood-like members 38,38 are preferably arranged within the inner housing 12 adjacent each of the openings 32,32 to prevent leakage of bird seed and the like outwardly through the openings. As will be seen, each hood-like member 38 extends downwardly and about its associated opening 32 and opens downwardly adjacent a bottom portion of the opening for ready access to the bird seed.

Counterweight means for biasing the outer housing 12 toward its upper position may vary in form but preferably comprises a pair of similar counterweights 40,40 with associated support lines 42,42 and pulleys 44,44. The pulleys 44,44 are supported by suitable brackets 46,46 beneath the support member 20. Further, the support lines 42,42 preferably extend downwardly through small openings 48,48 in an annular flange 50 at a lower end portion of the outer housing 14. At an opposite end each support line 42 has a small stop member 52 which engages a lower end portion of the flange 50 to establish the position of the associated counterweight 40, the line 42 extending through a second small opening 54. Thus, a lowermost position of the outer housing 14 can be selectively established as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The counterweights 40, 40 are selected so as to allow birds of various sizes and weights to use the bird feeder without displacing the outer housing 14. Thus, an average or typical bird weight may be experimentally or otherwise established. On the other hand, an average or typical weight for a squirrel such as the squirrel 56 in FIG. 2 will overcome the biasing force established by the counterweights causing the outer housing 14 to descend to its lower position of FIG. 2. In the lower position of FIG. 2, the openings 32, 34 are misaligned horizontally and in substantial non-communication with no significant through opening thus rendering the squirrel impotent in his attempt to access the bird seed or the like. When the squirrel leaves his perch on the flange 50, the outer housing 14 will of course return to the upper position of FIG. 1.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, an improved bird feeder has been provided which is of a desirably simple design, which can be manufactured at economic advantage, and which is highly efficient in its operation and positively prevents squirrels from feeding on the bird seed or the like intended for small birds. The maintenance free operation of the feeder and long service life will also be apparent.