Abstract:
A bird feeder has a tubular body member having an open bottom end. A base member interfittingly engages the bottom end of the tubular body member and also has a means for releasably securing the base member to the tubular body member. The base member is releasably secured to the tubular body member by the engagement of a spring-biased pin that communicates with an aperture through the wall of the tubular body member. Preferably, there are two spring-biased locking pins on opposing sides of the feeder with corresponding lock eye apertures. User manipulatable buttons, which are mechanically linked to the locking pins, are depressed to cause the locking pins to retract to permit releasble attachment of the tubular body member of the feeder thereon enabling easy access to the interior of the feeder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/550,208, filed Mar. 4, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to bird feeders, namely, tubular bird feeders. More specifically, the present invention relates to bases for such tubular bird feeders.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the bird feeder industry, tubular bird feeders are very well known. These feeders include a tubular main feed body which is commonly transparent or translucent so the amount of feed remaining therein can be easily seen. Feed ports in the tubular body permit birds to gain access to the feed therein. A tubular bird feeder also typically includes a number of perches routed through or attached to the tubular body to support a bird during feeding through one of the feed ports.  
         [0006]     A tubular bird feeder typically has an open top and bottom end. The top end is covered by a removable cap so feed may be introduced into the tubular body. Bails are also provided so the feeder can be hung from a support. The bottom of the main tubular body is also closed, typically permanently, by a bottom base or cap. This base is usually screwed on or riveted to the bottom of the tubular main body to keep it closed. A post mount can be provided in the bottom of the bottom cap. The bases of prior art tubular bird feeders usually extend up into the tubular body. The top surface of the base of the feeder is commonly tapered or angled in some fashion to direct feed toward one or more of the feed ports at the lowermost portion of the tubular main body. This ensures that birds can gain access to all of the feed within the tubular feeder.  
         [0007]     These known tubular feeders suffer from various problems that make them difficult to maintain. Remaining amounts of feed typically accumulate at the bottom of the feeder. When this feed mixes with rain, and the like, the feed at the lower portion of the feeder becomes packed and dirty making it difficult, if not impossible, for birds to access it. Moreover, once the feed is wet and/or dirty, birds may not even wish to consume it. Since the bases of these known tubular feeders are secured to the bottom of the feeder, they are difficult to remove. If a base is permanently secured to the bottom of the feeder, it will not be able to be removed. More likely, threaded fasteners are used to secure the base to bottom of the tubular main body. These fasteners require tools, such as a screwdriver or wrench, to remove the base for cleaning the feeder. The requirement of tools increases the burden of cleaning a feeder and further makes a bird feeder owner less likely to clean their feeder.  
         [0008]     Therefore, there is a need for a bird feeder to be able to be quickly and easily cleaned. There is a specific need for an easily removable base for easy access to the bottom of the feeder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides a solution to the problems associated with prior art tubular bird feeders. The bird feeder of the present invention includes a new and novel base that is quickly and easily removable from the bottom of the main tubular body of the feeder. In general, the present invention provides a new base that is releasably secured to the bottom of the feeder.  
         [0010]     More specifically, the present invention includes a tubular body member having an open bottom end where the base member is interfittingly engaged with the bottom end of the tubular body member. The base member is releasably secured to the tubular body member by the engagement of a spring-biased pin that communicates with an aperture through the wall of the tubular body member. Preferably, there are two spring-biased locking pins on opposing sides of the feeder with corresponding lock eye apertures. User manipulatable buttons are linked to the locking pins to cause them to retract to permit releasable attachment of the tubular body member of the feeder thereon.  
         [0011]     An object of the present in invention is the provision for a bird feeder that has an easily removed base.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is the provision for a bird feeder that is easy to clean and maintain.  
         [0013]     Yet another object of the present invention is the provision for a bird feeder having a removable base with spring-biased locking members.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention is the provision for a bird feeder with a base that can be removed without using tools. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bird feeder showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of the base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is side cross-section view through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the base member being maneuvered for attachment to the tubular body member; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the base member being attached to the tubular body member. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a bird feeder exhibiting the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at  10 . The bird feeder  10  has a tubular body member  12  having open top and bottom ends. The space enclosed by the body member  12  serves as a reservoir for holding bird food  14 , such as seed. Although the shape of the body member shown is cylindrical, the cross-section shape of the body member can be other shapes, such as a square, octagonal, or triangular. The present invention is intended to cover all tubular-type bird feeders regardless of the geometric shape of the body. Enclosing the top end of the body member  12  is a top cover  16 . The top cover  16  prevents water and debris from entering the body member  12  and also deters vermin, such as squirrels, from gaining access to the bird seed  14  contained therein. The top cover  16  is releasably secured to the body member  12  so that the bird feeder  10  may be refilled with bird seed  14  as needed. Extending from the top cover  16  is a bail  18 . The bail  18  is provided as a convenient point from which to secure the bird feeder  10  to a tree, pole, house, or any other desired location. Although the bail  18  shown is wire loop other structures could be used such as a hook, an eye-bolt, or other structure as is known in the art.  
         [0023]     Spaced around the outer surface of the body member  10  are a number of feed access points  20 . The configuration and number of feed access points many be varied as desired. The feed access points  20  are mounted to the body member  12  to a hole punched therethrough so that birds may access the bird seed  14  contained therein. Corresponding perches  22  extend from the feed access point  20  for birds to have a location on which rest while feeding.  
         [0024]     Near the bottom end of the body member  12  are a number of lock eyes  24 . The lock eyes  24  are for retaining the base member  26  to the body member  12 , described more fully below.  
         [0025]     Enclosing the bottom end of the body member  12  is a base member  26 . The base member  26  is releasably secured (the structures and procedures for which will be more fully described below) to the body member  12 . The base member  26  keeps the bird seed  14  from draining out the bottom end of the body member  12  and also serves as a stand or platform for when the bird feeder  10  is not being hung from the bail  18  but is mounted on a post (not shown). This feature is convenient for when the owner desires to clean and refill the bird feeder  10 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the base member  26  of the present invention has a foot portion  28 . On the surface of the foot portion  28  are one or more button apertures  29 . Curving inwardly from the foot portion  28  is an annular seat  30 . Extending from the annular seat  30  is a neck portion  32 . The neck portion  32  is sized to snuggly fit into the bottom end of the body member  12 . On the outer surface of the neck portion  32  are one or more lock apertures  31 . As will be described below, locking pins  46  (only one is visible in  FIG. 2 ) are retractably positioned through lock apertures  31  in the base  26 . Extending from the neck portion  32  is a seed deflector  34  for guiding the bird seed  14  towards a feed access point  20  of the body member  12  and preventing accumulation of bird seed  14  in a location of the body member  12  that is unreachable by feeding birds. Although, the seed deflector is shown with a peak in the center with surfaces curving gently away to the neck portion  32 , other configurations could be easily implemented, such as a U-shaped channel. Also, the seed deflector  34  can be either integrally formed with the base  26  or provided as a separate member for ease of manufacture and assembly.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base member  26  has an inner annular wall  36  having a seat  38  for one or more springs  40 . Although coil-type springs are shown, other spring structures could easily be implemented. The inner annular wall  36 , in conjunction with the inside surface of the neck portion  32  and foot portion  28  of the base member  26 , also serves to define a well  37  for the lock members  42  to slide within. The lock members  42  have a button portion  44 , a locking pin  46  and a spring seat  48 . The locking pin  46  of the lock member  42  is slidably received within the lock aperture of the base member  26  and the corresponding button portion  44  of the lock member  42  is slidably received within a corresponding button aperture  29  of the base member  26 . A spring  40  is received onto the spring seat of the locking member  42  and the seat  38  of the annular wall  36  to bias the locking member  42  outwardly.  
         [0028]     A base plate  50  is secured to the bottom of the base member  26  to retain the locking members  42  in their respective positions. For example, glue, screws, rivets or other fasteners can be used to attach the base plate  50  to the base member  26 . Optionally, the base plate  50  may be adapted to be mounted on a pole if the owner of the bird feeder  10  desires to position the bird feeder  10  in a location lacking suitable trees or other mounting points from which to attach the bail to. Preferably, the base plate  50  has threaded structure  52  from which the bird feeder may be attached, but other structures may be used that are well known in the art.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in  FIG. 5 , with one hand  54 , the operator (not shown) squeezes the button portions  44  of the locking members  42 , thus biasing the springs  40  and forcing the locking members  42  inwardly. As the locking members  42  are forced inwardly, the locking pins  46  are drawn inwardly into the base member  26  through the corresponding lock apertures  31 .  
         [0030]     With the other hand  56 , the operator maneuvers the body member  12  over the base member  26  aligning the bottom end of the body member  12  with the neck portion  32  of the base member  26 . The operator then places the body member  12  over the neck portion  32  of the body member  26  until it rests against the annular seat  30 . If not already aligned, the operator then twists the body member  12  (or base member  26 ) to align the lock eyes  24  on the body member  12  with the lock apertures  31  on the base member  26 . The operator then releases the button portions  44  of the locking members  42  to secure the base member  26  to the body member  12  defining a side wall. Releasing the locking members  42  causes the springs  40  to force the locking members  42  outwardly, thus, causing the locking pins  46  of the locking member to protrude through the lock apertures  31  of the base member  26  and the corresponding lock eyes  24  of the body member  12 . As in  FIG. 6 , the base member  26  is releasably secured in place and the feeder  10  is then suitable for use in a normal fashion.  
         [0031]     For cleaning, the process is reversed to remove the base member  26 . The buttons  44  are depressed to retract locking pins  46  to permit the base member  26  to be separated from the tubular body member  12 . Thus, access to the interior of the tubular body member  12  and the base member  26  can be achieved for easy cleaning thereof.  
         [0032]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment wherein the neck portion  32  of the base member  26  is inserted into the bottom end of the body member  12 , and the locking members  42  protrude outwardly to secure the base member  26  to the body member  12 ; other variations could be easily implemented. For instance, the body member  12  could be inserted into the base member  26  instead of the neck portion  32  (and seed deflector  34 ) of the base member  26  being inserted into the body member  12 . The locking members  42  could also be easily arranged to protrude inwardly rather than outwardly. Similarly, other means could be used rather than springs  40  to bias the locking members  42 . The concept of the present invention is to cover all of these various bases and locking mechanisms for bird feeders.  
         [0033]     Also, the side wall of the tubular body member  12  may have a recessed seat (not shown) rather than a complete pass-through aperture in the form of lock eyes  24 . Such alternatives are considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention.  
         [0034]     Therefore, while there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.