AN IMPROVED BIRD FEEDER

Abstract: A squirrel-resistant bird feeder is disclosed of the type comprising an inner fine wire mesh nut container (10) disposed within an outer wire housing (1) with openings large enough to admit small birds but small enough to deter squirrels which is characterised in that the outer wire housing (1) is substantially globe shaped so giving a relatively large space in which birds can move within the housing (1).

Description: This invention is concerned with the provision of an improved squirrel-resistant bird feeder particularly adapted for feeding small birds such as tits. It has been proposed to provide a squirrel resistant bird feeder in which a cylindrical fine wire mesh nut container is centrally disposed within a substantially cylindrical wire outer housing with openings large enough to admit small birds but small enough to deter squirrels. That known type of bird feeder is affective but we think that a bird feeder with a nut container within an outer wire housing should be shaped in such a way that small birds within the outer housing have a larger space within which to move about so that the birds do not feel restricted and become frightened. With a larger inside space it is possible to make the openings smaller without frightening the birds when inside the housing and this in turn makes it more difficult for squirrels to enter the housing. According to the present invention we provide a bird feeder of the type comprising an inner fine wire mesh nut container disposed within an outer wire housing with openings large enough to admit small birds but small enough to deter squirrels characterised in that the outer wire housing is substantially globe shaped so giving a relatively large space in which birds can move within the housing. In order that the invention may be more fully understood reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings given by way of example in which:- Figure 1 is a pictorial view of one form of bird feeder in accordance with the invention, for clarity showing only the front half of the outer wire housing and with certain of the wires of the outer wire housing broken away to show the nut container clearly, the rear half which is not shown being substantially the same as the front half. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bird feeder shown in Figure 1 for clarity showing only the top half of the outer wire housing, the bottom half being substantially the same. Figure 3 is a side view of the nut container and its mounting means without the outer housing. Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of an embodiment in which the housing is made in two completely separate parts showing how the parts are connected and Figure 6 shows the provision of a removable closure at the bottom of the container. Referring to the drawings in detail it will be noted that the bird feeder has an outer substantially globe shaped housing generally indicated by the reference 1 preferably formed in two parts, an upper hemispherical part 2 and a lower hemispherical part 3. The outer housing 1 is formed from relatively thick longitude wires 4 extending in an EW direction around the globe with spaces between adjacent wires and relatively thick latitude wires 5 extending in a NS direction around the globe. The upper part 2 terminates at its lower edge in a substantially equitorial wire 6 and the lower part 3 terminates at its upper edge in a substantially equitorial wire 7. Locating pins shown in Figure 4 and at least one clip member are provided on one part of the housing to engage with the other part of the housing when the two parts of the feeder are assembled. To separate the parts of the housing 1 e.g. for cleaning, the wires can be manipulated to disengage the pins and the clips can be disconnected. A dish 8 is provided at the bottom for seed or water or other food. A hinged or fixed hanger 9 is provided at the top of the housing. A nut container 10 preferably cylindrical in section and made of relatively thin wires of standard bird feeder mesh is centrally disposed extending vertically within the outer housing. The container 10 has a filling opening at the top preferably closed by a threaded plug of coarse thread similar to that of a conventional hot water bottle or by another suitable closure. The container 10 is mounted on a wire cross strut 11 connected to the equitorial wire 6 and is supported by angled wires 12 extending downwardly from the wire 6 to the bottom of the container 10. The globular shape of the outer housing 1 not only gives the bird feeder enhanced aesthetic appeal but also provides birds with substantial room to move about within the housing with all round visibility and all round exit. In addition we believe that the globular shape of the housing will cause any squirrel who does manage to squeeze into the housing to feel trapped and become frightened. The typical instinct of a frightened squirrel is to climb and the globe shape of the housing is such that at the top the wires are so close together that the squirrel cannot escape in that direction and this we feel will lead to squirrels avoiding the bird feeder altogether. Another advantage of the globular shape of the housing 1 is that by separating the two parts of the housing one part can be inverted and stacked in the other part for storage and transport. Looking particularly at Figure 2 it will be noted that the wires 5 converge at the top in pairs and so the openings in the housing 1 vary considerably in size. We prefer to make the big openings, in the equitorial region of the housing about 3 cms across by 4 cms high. That size of opening allows easy access by small birds while at the same time acting as a deterrent to squirrels. The wires employed may be covered with coloured plastics material but we prefer to treat at least the wires of the housing so that they become impregnated or coated with a strong squirrel resistant non toxic paint or like coating of colouring material rather than being coated with e.g. plastics material which can be removed or damaged e.g. by squirrels. Instead of providing an opening at the top of the housing 1 giving access to the inside of the container 10 which can be closed by the plug or other closure referred to above the housing 1 and the container 10 may be permanently closed at the top and the container 10 may be closed at the bottom by a removable plug or other suitable closure 13 shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment the housing 1 must be made in two parts 2, 3 which can be separated from one another to permit the container 10 to be filled. To fill the container 10 the upper part 2 of the housing 1 may be partially or wholly removed from the lower part 3 and may then be inverted so that the removable plug or other closure 13 is at the top and can be removed to permit the container 10 to be f illed. Locating pins 14 shown in Figure 4 are provided on equitorial wire 6 to locate the two pairs 2, 3 of the housing 10 in their proper position by engaging with equitorial wire 7 and at least one movable clip 15 is provided to hold the two parts 2, 3 in their closed position. The two parts 2,3 may be hinged to one another in any suitable way so that the two parts 2,3 cannot be completely separated from one another or one part, preferably the lower part 3 is provided with two fixed clips 16 , positioned substantially opposite to the movable clip 15 and arranged, when the parts 2, 3 of the housing 1 are assembled, to hook over the equitorial wire 6. In this case the two parts 2, 3 of the housing 1 can be completely separated from one another for cleaning the inside of the housing 1 and filling the container 10. It will be understood that if desired the container 10 can be filled with seeds, scraps or other food instead of with nuts. When the inner nut container is closed at the bottom substantially as shown in Figure 6, the bottom of the nut container is preferably spaced from the bottom of the housing as shown in Figure 1.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A squirrel-resistant bird feeder of the type comprising an inner fine wire mesh nut container (10) disposed within an outer wire housing (1) with openings large enough to admit small birds but small enough to deter squirrels characterised in that the outer wire housing (1) is substantially globe shaped so giving a relatively large space in which birds can move within the housing (1 ). 2. A bird feeder according to claim 1 characterised in that the housing (1) is formed in two parts comprising an upper hemispherical part (2) and a lower hemispherical part (3). 3. A bird feeder according to claim 2 characterised in that the outer housing (1) is formed from relatively thick longitude wires (4) extending in an EW direction around the globe and relatively thick latitude wires (5) extending in a NS direction around the globe, the upper part (2) of the housing (1) terminating at its lower edge in a substantially equitorial wire (6) and the lower part (3) of the housing (1) terminating at its upper edge in a substantially equitorial wire (7). 4. A bird feeder according to claim 3 characterised in that clip members are provided on one part of the housing (1) to engage with the other part of the housing (1) when the two parts of the housing are assembled. 5. A bird feeder according to claim 2 characterised in that a dish (8) is provided in the lower part (3) of the housing (1) and a preferably hinged hanger (9) is provided at the top of the upper part (2) of the housing (1). 6. A bird feeder according to claim 3 characterised in that the nut container (10) is mounted on a wire cross strut (11) which is connected to the equitorial wire (6) and further characterised in that the nut container (10) is supported by angled wires (12) extending downwardly from the equitorial wire (6) to the bottom of the container (10). 7. A squirrel resistant bird feeder of the type comprising an inner fine wire mesh nut container (10) disposed within an outer wire housing (1 ) with openings large enough to admit small birds but small enough to deter squirrels characterised in that the outer wire housing (1) is substantially globe shaped so giving a relatively large space in which birds can move within the housing (1) and further characterised in that the nut container (10) is permanently closed at the top and is closed at the bottom by a removable closure member, the housing (1) being formed in two parts with the nut container (10) being connected to the top part and being spaced from the bottom part so that the top part of the housing can be removed and inverted to allow the nut container (10) to be filled.. 8. A bird feeder according to claim 7 characterised in that (a) the two parts of the housing are hingedly interconnected and (b) a clip is provided to held the two parts of the housing (1) in the closed position, locating pins being provided on either part of the housing (1 ) .

Inventors: MARTYN GRAHAM, SMALLBONE STEPHEN, MARTYN, GRAHAM, SMALLBONE, STEPHEN
Applicants: SMALLBONE ASS, SMALLBONE ASSOCIATES
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A01K39
IPC codes: A01K39