Squirrel house

A squirrel house that can be used for shelter from predators, from cold weather and for providing a den for a breeding pair of squirrels to build a nest for raising a family of young squirrels, having a front wall including a side access hole, a floor having a bottom access opening, a pair of matching side walls supporting a shed roof end extending at a slight incline from the back wall to and over the side access wall being supported along the tapered top edges of the side walls. The squirrel house further comprises a reinforcing cleat with associated mounting fasteners, a metallic right angle bottom support member of malleable construction with variable positioning to associate closely with selected curved tree trunk whereby the bottom hole allows a squirrel to enter directly into the house from an adjacent tree trunk from below and the side access hole defines an opening for admitting squirrels from the roof, wherein the openings may also offer exit at such time as the other access is blocked by a predator.

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates generally to a squirrel house. In particular to a device that can be used for shelter from predators, from cold weather and for providing a den for a breeding pair of squirrels to build a nest for raising a family of young squirrels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Squirrels, such as gray squirrels, have in the past been dependent on natural tree cavities or leaf nests in trees for sites for nesting as well as winter dens providing shelter. Inasmuch as natural forest areas with mature trees including such shelter have been greatly reduced, there is a need for a substitute artificial squirrel house for use as a den. The desired configuration of an artificial squirrel house should provide a light weight den for a breeding pair of squirrels, such as gray squirrels, and raising a family of young squirrels. Also the nest needs protection from predators along with an alternative exit. In particular such protection should provide ease of exit. The need to provide protection from predators is directed to red foxes, weasels, martins, minks, eagles and raptors. Nestling and young squirrels should also be protected from raccoons, opossums, cats and rat snakes.

A search of the prior art has failed to provide a showing of squirrel house devices. Birdhouses are generally available however they do not provide the desired configuration of a den for a breeding pair of such as gray squirrels nor do they address the need for dual access/egress to provide for ease of exit.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a squirrel house for providing a den for a breeding pair of squirrels to build a nest for raising a family of young squirrels having dual access/egress to provide for ease of exit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for addressing the need for an artificial squirrel house for shelter from predators, from cold weather and for providing a den for a breeding pair of squirrels to build a nest for raising a family of young squirrels.

The present invention disclosed herein is designed for ready use by a variety of squirrels species so that it may serve as a squirrel house in which such squirrels may build a nest. The squirrel house of the present invention may selectively be adapted by various kinds of squirrels, as they may change the size of the access holes by which squirrels may enter or exit the house. Such species could include red squirrels, gray squirrels, flying squirrels, and fox squirrels. Placement of such an artificial squirrel house in the form of a box, preferably should be attached to a tree and be placed at least 10 feet above the ground and be facing away from the prevailing winds. A living tree is preferred over dead trees to avoid the risk of having the tree blown down as is especially common with dead trees.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the squirrel house incorporates a thin-walled structure. The elements of structure of the squirrel house include a roof, four side walls with one of these walls having an access opening and another side wall including an attachment bracket. The house also includes a floor having a bottom access opening, said floor extending horizontally between said front wall and back wall arranged in orthogonal relationship thereto. Other structural members include a pair of matching side walls each having a a tapered top edge, and a shed roof extending at a slight incline from the back wall to and over the side access wall being supported along the tapered top edges of the side walls.

Additional elements of the squirrel house may include a laterally extending space for ventilation between the bottom of the shed roof and the top of the front wall; a reinforcing cleat with mounting fasteners extending across the attachment extension member in a horizontal plane and a L bracket providing bottom support attached to the bottom of the floor arranged perpendicular thereto. In particular and of critical importance, the “L” bracket may comprise a metallic angle support member of malleable construction with variable positioning to associate closely with selected curved tree trunk employed for bottom support.

The invention also includes a method of constructing a squirrel house comprising stapling freshly epoxy coated edges of wall members to a floor and roof member, to allow for a very strong squirrel house construction with low overall weight. This method comprises stapling the sides of the front wall to a floor, the rear wall to the floor, the sides of a matching pair of side walls extending vertically there between, and the sides of the roof.

Alternate Embodiment

As is shown in an alternate embodiment of the roof showing use of spikes as a predator guard for prevention of roosting by predators. The spikes located on the lateral surface of the roof comprise numerous prongs consisting of sharp points at one end and heads at the opposite end and are intended for preventing a predator/raptor from alighting and perching thereon. The prongs are arranged to project from the roof such that when a raptor does alight and perch thereon, said prongs render the perching to be so uncomfortable as to a) incur prompt departure and b) render subsequent return attempt most unlikely.

Second Alternate Embodiment

A squirrel house wherein a baffle is provided inside and adjacent the bottom access hole to prevent easy access by a foreign animal and to prevent baby squirrels from falling out of the house.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a squirrel house with dual, spaced apart access openings.

Another object is to provide a squirrel house with baffle members in association with at least one access opening to prevent easy access by a foreign animal and to prevent baby squirrels from falling out of the house.

It is another object is to provide in a squirrel house with a wall having an adjustable access opening.

It is another object is to provide a metallic angular support member with variable positioning capability to associate closely with a selected curved tree trunk to be employed for bottom support.

It is another object is to provide a squirrel house of sturdy, thin-wall construction for secure support of a family of squirrels.

The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that those persons skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications, improvements and additions on the illustrated embodiments all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to theFIGS. 1–10, there is shown the preferred embodiment of a squirrel house10in accordance with the present invention. In particular, referring now to theFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a squirrel house10having structural members of thin-wall construction constructed of materials made to withstand outdoor inclement weather, including a front wall12, having an access opening14, a back wall16, and a attachment extension member20. An additional structural member comprises a floor22of thin-wall construction having a bottom access opening24that defines the bottom of the said squirrel house10. Said floor22extends horizontally between said front wall12and back wall16arranged in orthogonal relationship thereto. The floor is configured to support a nest, not shown, to accommodate a family of squirrels and the bottom access opening24in floor22allows for drainage of rain water to keep the nest dry.

Additional structural members include a pair of matching side wall members26and28, also of thin-wall construction, extending vertically there-between each having a tapered top edge. As is shown inFIG. 4, shed roof32is shown with a slight incline for drainage purposes. More particularly, said shed roof32is shown with a low front end and a high back end extending at a slight incline from the back wall16to and over the front wall12, being supported along the tapered top edges of the side walls26&28.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2and4there is shown a laterally extending space for permitting ventilation between the bottom of the shed roof32and the top of the front wall12.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is also shown a reinforcing cleat38with a series of openings40associated with mounting fasteners42, extending across the attachment extension member20in a horizontal plane. Said cleat provides for top mounting of squirrel house10on a tree trunk44is shown inFIGS. 1,8and9,

As is shown inFIGS. 1,7,8and9, “L” shaped bracket46, that is directed to providing bottom support of squirrel house10, is shown attached to the bottom of the floor22, is arranged perpendicular thereto. “L” shaped bracket46comprises a metallic right angle support member for squirrel house10and is of malleable construction with variable positioning to associate closely with a selected curved tree trunk44. The “L” shaped bracket46not only supports the weight of the house but supports a family of gray squirrels as well.

There is shown inFIG. 10an exploded perspective view of squirrel house10shown inFIG. 1, showing use of adhesive48in combination with staples50wherein said staples are employed as a means of holding structural members together in place while the adhesive is drying and/or curing. Said structural members include front wall12, back wall16, floor22and shed roof32, that comprise panels of light-weight wood comprising ¼″ exterior plywood to provide a lightweight construction.

As is shown inFIG. 7, bottom access opening24in the floor22of squirrel house10allows for bottom access for a squirrel to squirrel house10as well as permitting drainage of rain water. Also as is shown inFIG. 7a critical feature of squirrel house10is shown in that said squirrel house10comprises a first and second access opening for squirrels, i.e. access opening14on front wall12, and bottom access opening24in floor22. This feature permits a squirrel to escape from said house via the second hole if a foreign animal attempts to enter said first hole. Furthermore, bottom access opening24also allows a squirrel to enter directly into squirrel house10from an adjacent tree trunk44, as is shown inFIG. 8, from below. Also access hole14defines an opening for admitting squirrels from the shed roof32shown inFIG. 7. From this it can be seen that said first or second openings may also offer exit at such time as the other access is blocked by a predator.

Also, as is shown inFIG. 8, “L” bracket46comprises a metallic angular support member of malleable construction with variable positioning to associate closely with selected curved tree trunk44employed for bottom support of house10. The squirrel house10wherein “L” bracket46supports the weight of the house10as well as a family of gray squirrels.

The invention also includes the method of constructing a squirrel house10comprising the steps of stapling sides of a front wall12to a floor22, the back wall16to the floor22; the sides of a pair of matching side walls26&28vertically there between, and the sides of a shed roof32to freshly epoxy coated edges30to provide for a very strong squirrel house10construction with low overall weight.

Alternate Embodiment

As is shown inFIG. 11an alternate embodiment of the shed roof32shows use of a predator guard54for prevention of roosting by predators/raptors. The predator guard54is located on the lateral surface of the shed roof32and consist of numerous prongs56consisting of sharp points58at one end and head at the opposite end. Said prongs56and are intended for preventing a predator/raptor from alighting and perching thereon. The prongs56are arranged to project from the shed roof32such that when a raptor, not shown, does alight and perch thereon, said prongs56render the perching to be so uncomfortable as to a) incur prompt departure and b) render subsequent return attempt most unlikely.

Second Alternate Embodiment

As is shown inFIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of squirrel house10includes a baffle60positioned inside and adjacent bottom access hole24to prevent easy entrance access by a foreign animal, as well as to prevent baby squirrels from falling out of said house10. Said baffle60comprises two partition walls joined in orthogonal relation and arranged in perpendicular relationship to floor22. Said partition walls are constructed of light-weight wood comprising ¼″ exterior plywood, fastened to floor22by use of adhesive48and staples50as a means of fastening structural members together while the adhesive is drying and/or curing.

Third Alternate Embodiment

A third alternate embodiment of squirrel house shown inFIG. 1is of similar finished design and can be made out of plastics such as molded plastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl polymer, polystyrene polyurethane, copolymers, etc. Plastic has the advantage of being free from rust, corrosion, watertight and provides for ease of fabrication. Use of plastics provides several options as to alternative assembly techniques. The practice may be supplied as attachable components or as a finished design. Preferably the squirrel house may be injection molded into one part or several parts and may be sealed together either by adhesive means, heat sealed, ultrasonic, or mechanically attached. The house may be formed in a unitary unit which is foldably snapped together to form a squirrel house. Alternatively the house may be stamped like a box with walls made from panels wherein the panels are folded together to create a box like shape and then are sealed together, preferably employing polypropylene plastic. Sealing together of the assembly is accomplished by the following steps; attaching the walls, roof and floor together to form a house with an entrance/exit hole in one wall and an entrance/exit hole in the floor, and when installed on a support such as a tree, employing a bottom support bracket.