Bird feeder

[0001] This invention is directed to a bird feeder which is constructed with the ability to be selective between the birds which can feed from it. The feeder is also constructed with multiple protections against squirrels feeding. The feeder includes apparatus for preventing food waste and for providing plural feed stations each associated with an individual food supply.

[0002] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a sturdy, attractive bird feeder.

[0003] Another object of this invention is to provide a bird feeder capable of selective bird feeding.

[0004] Another object of the invention is a bird feeder with multiple and individual feed supply areas.

[0005] Another object of the invention is a bird feeder in which the roof is provided with sufficient overhang to protect the feed from becoming wet.

[0006] Another object of the invention is a bird feeder which includes waste preventing feed spouts.

[0007] Another object of the invention is the provision of feed spouts which also act to shield the feed from rain.

[0008] Another object of the invention is a bird feeder constructed with multiple squirrel guards.

[0009] Another object of the invention is a bird feeder mountable from above or below.

[0010] The instant invention is directed to a bird feeder which includes a housing having a vertically directed circular side wall with an open upper end and a cone shaped flooring, connected about its outer end with the lower edge of the side wall. A removable cover is provided to be engaged over the open upper end of the housing.

[0011] A plurality of openings are arranged about the side wall adjacent its lower end. A plurality of feed assemblies, each of which includes a spout, a collar and a perch, are connected with the side wall in position for the spouts to extend through the openings. The inner ends of the spouts are positioned adjacent the outer edge of the flooring while the outer ends of the spouts are positioned outwardly of the side wall and above the inner ends. A perch is connected with each collar beneath the outer opening of each of the spouts. Each perch is horizontally adjustable, relative to the associated opening into selected positions relative to the associated spout opening.

[0012] In operation, food is supplied through the open upper end of the housing and is directed downwardly and outwardly toward the lower end of the side wall into positions adjacent the inner ends of the spouts by the cone shaped flooring. The horizontal adjusted position of each perch determines the size bird capable of feeding through the associated spout.

[0013] There is an opening through the apex of the flooring through which a shaft extends. The shaft is connected with the flooring and extends vertically through the housing. A connector is provided on the upper end of the shaft for securing a cover in position over the open end of the housing.

[0014] A downwardly directed receptacle is secured with the lower surface of the flooring and arranged along its axis. The receptacle is adapted to receive and secure with an upper end of a pole for supporting the feeder in an elevated position. Alternatively, a ring is secured with the connector. The ring is operative to engage with a depending support for hanging the feeder in an elevated position.

[0015] There is an upwardly directed lip arranged across a lower section of each of the outer openings of each spout. The lip acts to prevent spillage of the feed during bird feeding.

[0016] A rod having a threaded inner end is secured in axially adjustable positions with each collar. The rods are offset at a second end, the offset portion forming the perch.

[0017] The feeder may include a squirrel guard which comprises a downwardly directed tubular collar secured with the housing beneath the flooring. The collar is secured with the housing by the inner ends of the rods.

[0018] The feeder may include a divider positioned within the housing. The divider includes a plurality of vertically arranged fins in which each fin, at least substantially, engages with the flooring along its lower edge and with the peripheral wall along its outer edge forming separate compartments about each opening. A vertical groove is formed in the side wall. The groove is adapted to receive an outer end of a selected fin, locking the divider against rotation relative to the housing.

[0019] A collection tray which is carried by the pole mounting the feeder is vertically spaced beneath the housing. The tray is adapted to collect dropped food from the feed assemblies and to act as a second squirrel guard.

[0020] A bird feeder having an upstanding circular housing with a cone shaped flooring, a plurality of openings arranged about the housing adjacent an outer edge of the flooring and a feed assembly associated with each opening. The feed assembly includes a collar mounting a spout along an inwardly and downwardly directed acute angle. The collar includes a finger having a threaded bore arranged beneath the spout. A rod having a threaded first end and an offset second end forming a perch is threadably engaged with the bore at variable positions along its axis, positioning the perch at variable distances horizontally of an outer end of the spout. The various positions at which the perches are positioned relative to the associated spout determine the size bird capable of using the feeder.

[0021] Locking members which comprise bolts are carried by the threaded end of each rod and are adapted to engage with the collar locking the rods in position.

[0022] The feeder may include a circular extension which is secured with the housing beneath the flooring. The extension, which is circular and of selected length is positioned to extend downwardly beneath the flooring to act as a squirrel guard. The circular extension includes a plurality of spaced bores about its upper edge. The bores are positioned to engage with the first ends of the rods passing through the collars securing the extension with the housing.

[0023] Mounting members for mounting the housing in an elevated position are provided. The mounting members secure with the feeder in positions either above or below the housing.

[0031] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.

[0032] A typical bird feeder according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Feeder 10, which is preferably made of metal, includes housing 11 having a circular outer wall 12, a generally cone shaped cover 14, a plurality of feeding assemblies 16 and a fastener 15 for securing the cover in position. Mounted with housing 12 is a squirrel guard 18. Pole 22 secures with the underside of housing 12 and supports the feeder in an elevated position above the ground. Collection tray 20 is carried by pole 22 at a selected distance from the lower edge of the squirrel guard.

[0033] Turning now to FIGS. 2-5, a more detailed description of feeder 10 is provided.

[0034] Outer wall 12 is slightly cone shaped with an upper end diameter of about 15″ and a lower end diameter of about 12″. The housing is about 8″ tall. These dimensions are completely optional and variations, both larger and smaller, are possible.

[0035] Cover 14 is constructed to overhang or extend beyond outer wall 12 by about 3″. This overhang, in combination with the downward slope of the cover, provides both a squirrel guard and prevents rain from entering into the storage area, wetting the feed.

[0036] The lower end of housing 12 is turned under or inwardly crimped as shown at 24. Flooring 26 is generally cone shaped and upwardly directed forming an apex at its upper end as shown in FIG. 2. Flooring 26 is secured about its outer edge with the turned under or crimped lower end 24 of housing 12. Flooring 26 is secured with housing 12 preferably by welding, although other methods such as adhesives or simply crimping together is satisfactory. The flooring is arranged to extend along an angle of about 30°.

[0037] An opening 27 is formed in the apex of flooring 26 and a support collar 28, also having a central opening, is secured with the flooring about opening 27. Normally, collar 28 is made of heavier metal than the cover, housing or flooring. Hollow shaft 30 extends through collar 28 and opening 27 and is secured in fixed position relative to the side walls and flooring. The upper end 32 of shaft 30 is of reduced diameter, is located above the open upper end of side wall 12 and is adapted to secure with fastener 15.

[0038] Upper end 32 of shaft 30 passes through the opening in cover 14 and is engaged with ring 15 which secures the cover in position against upper edge 13 of side wall 12. The lower end of shaft 30, which is slightly below collar 28 and flooring 26, is open and is adapted to receive the upper end of a pole, such as 22, for supporting the feeder in an elevated position.

[0039] It is noted that feeder 10 may be supported in position by hanging utilizing ring 15 or by being supported from the underside by a pole as illustrated. Alternative ring arrangements are shown at 15 and 15¹.

[0040] Arranged about sidewall 12 adjacent its lower end 24 are a plurality of feeding assemblies 16, preferably five. Each feeding assembly includes collar 36, formed with an opening 38. Positioned in each opening 38 is tubular spout 40 which is secured with the collar along an angle of about 45°. Spouts 40 comprises a tube about 1″ in diameter and length. Collars 36 are also formed of the heavier metal as is collar 28.

[0041] A plurality of openings 39 are arranged about the outer wall adjacent its lower end. A collar 36 is positioned over each opening 39 with its spout 40 passing through the opening with its inner end positioned below the apex of the flooring adjacent the outer edge of flooring 26. The collars are fixed to the side wall by brads 41 or other suitable means.

[0042] The outer end of spout 40 along its lower portion is bent upwardly to extend along an acute angle of about 40° and forming lip 42. Lip 42 acts as a shield or retainer which prevents feed from spilling or being pulled out by a feeding bird as it withdraws its head during feeding. While lip 42 does not totally prevent spillage, it significantly reduces the amount of feed which passes out of the spout. Also, opening 38 with lip 42, acts to shield the feed from rainwater and snow.

[0043] Located on the lower portion of collar 36 is extension 44. A bore passes through extension 44 and is adapted to receive the threaded end of rod 46. The bore may be threaded or there may be a nut 45 of equal size secured to the collar over the bore.

[0044] Rod 46 carried a locking nut 47 on its threaded end which functions to engage with collar 36 to lock rod 46 in position.

[0045] The opposite end of rod 46 may be bent to extend generally parallel but outwardly of the axis of the rod. This portion of the rod forms perch 48.

[0046] In use, rod 46 is screwed into bore 45 a distance to selectively position perch 47 from the outer end of spout 40. Perch 48 is always positioned in an upward position relative to the axis of rod 46 as is shown in the drawings. When perch 48 is located in the desired axial position outwardly of spout 40, locking nut 47 locks rod 46 in fixed position.

[0047] It is noted that the position of perch 48 from spout 40 determines the size bird capable of feeding through the spout. Only small birds can feed when the perch is in its most inward position while both large and small birds can feed from the perch when in its most outward position. Of course, an intermediate position would allow only small and intermediate size birds to feed.

[0048] It is noted that due to the angle of perch 48 relative to opening 38, the birds must be positioned sideways relative to the opening. This requires that the birds pick the feed rather than raking it out. Less feed is wasted as a result.

[0049] Squirrel guard 18 comprises a circular extension of about 4″ in length. Guard 18 is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the lower end of side wall 12. Along the upper edge of the guard there are provided a plurality threaded bores which are radially spaced to align with the bores through collars 36.

[0050] To position guard 18 with housing 11, rods 46 are moved to an outward position, guard 18 is positioned inwardly of collars 36 with the bores aligned. Rods 46 are then caused to pass through the bores of guard 18 locking it in position.

[0051] When a pole is used to mount the feeder in an elevated position, it may be desirable to position a collection tray 20 beneath housing 11. The collection tray is generally flat with a down turned outer edge and a diameter slightly larger than cover 14. The collection tray acts to catch feed drawn over lip 40. Collection tray 20 catches this feed and presents it for ground feeding birds. It also functions as an additional squirrel guard.

[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, housing 11 is shown with the cover removed. Above housing 11 is shown divider 52 which comprises a plurality of fins 54 secured along inner ends with a hollow extension 53. Fins 54 are arranged with extension 53 so that when positioned over shaft 30 the lower ends of fins 54 substantially engage with flooring along their length and their outer ends substantially engage with side wall 12 along their length. Divider 52 is positioned within housing 11 with dividers 54 on opposing sides of each feeding assembly 16 forming individual storage 58 for each spout 40. A groove 56 is formed vertically along side wall 12 in position to engage with an end portion of a single fin 54 locking divider 52 in position relative each spout 40 and against rotation.

[0053] In use, top 14 is removed and feed is supplied to the various storage areas 58. If desired, different types of feed are supplied to each storage area. The feed migrates to a position adjacent the outer edge of floor 26 adjacent lower end 24 of side wall 12 and the inner end of spout 40 due to the configuration of the floor. Perch 48 is adjusted, as determined by the type feed, to an appropriate radial position from the outer end of spout 40. The feeder is now ready to be positioned in an elevated position.

[0054] The feeder is preferably made of all metal, however, other materials such as plastics are suitable for wholly forming the feeder or for forming selected components thereof. It is preferred that the housing, to include the flooring, squirrel guard and fins be made of steel. It is preferred that the collars are made of steel. It is preferred that the spouts are made of steel.

[0055] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.