Patent ID: 6341576
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A squirrel repellent bird feeder comprising:A) a drive module comprising: I) a housing having a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall; II) a non-rotating attachment mechanism in said top for attachment to a tree limb or other supporting overhead structure; III) a cylindrical support tube located within and concentric with said housing; IV) a motor that can slide vertically within said support tube, said motor having a bottom and including a drive shaft extending from said motor bottom through said housing bottom; V) a linear force spring abutting said bottom of said motor and said bottom of said housing positioned to detect vertical motion of said motor; VI) a displacement sensor attached to said linear force spring for producing a signal upon detection of vertical motion which signal is transmitted to; VII) an electronic circuit board that upon reading an adequate displacement activates said motor; and VIII) a power supply for said motor; B) a connector that provides rotating attachment of said drive module to; C) a feeder having a periphery and including one or more feed outlets in said periphery each equipped with a feed collection bowl that inhibits the dispersal of feed from said feeder when said feeder is rotated by said motor.