Abstract:
A bird feeder is provided having a pivotal wire bail to allow the top cap to be lifted and rotated away from the top opening for easy filling of bird food without unnecessary spillage. Additionally, the invention provides for a detachable base cap having a spring clip retention feature that holds the base cap in place when in use but provides for its intentional removal when desired for cleaning purposes. The feeder has an optional detachable tray where birds can rest while feeding. The invention also provides multiple embodiments, having a body constructed of metal or plastic alternatives. The metal bodies, preferably tubular in shape, are each formed of perforated or expanded metal, having holes therethrough, the size of the holes being dependent upon the size of the seed or other feed selected. The plastic tube feeder provides feeder ports for seed access, as well as rotatable perches for the birds to rest on while feeding.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to bird feeders, and more specifically to a bird feeder having a top cap that may be rotated off of, and away from, the body for filling and cleaning purposes, but remain attached to the feeder. This is accomplished through the use of a rotatable wire bail attached to the body by bail retaining pins. The invention also has a readily removable base cap that can be detached and easily reattached for cleaning purposes without the use of tools. The feeder has various alternative embodiments, including a body manufactured of plastic with rotatable perches and embodiments where the body is made of perforated metal with various feed hole sizes. The feeder may also have a tray attachment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     There are various sizes and configurations of bird feeders that are used to provide wild birds with a ready supply of food, mainly in the form of seed. Many feeders provide a tray and/or perch on which the bird may rest as it feeds. Most tubular shaped feeders are designed to hang from tree limbs or poles in a manner that allows access from all sides so that multiple birds may feed at once from the same feeder. Hooks or wire bails are commonly used in the industry to hang the feeder from a tree limb or pole.  
         [0003]     One problem encountered is that feeders are hung outdoors and the feeder and its contents are exposed to the elements. If the seed gets wet due to exposure to precipitation, it can be subject to decay and the growth of mold or mildew, making it undesirable for feeding purposes. Under such circumstances, the body of the feeder needs to be thoroughly cleaned and refilled with undamaged seed. Furthermore, the body needs to be accessed on a regular basis for refilling as it is emptied of its contents by the feeding birds.  
         [0004]     Because of the constant exposure to precipitation and sunlight, the body of the feeder in which the seed is contained needs to be covered, which is also helpful to prevent excess spillage. Generally, the opening at the top of tubular feeders is relatively small compared to the length of the tubular body. The lid covering of most feeders of this type must be removed, or at least partially removed, in order to fill the feeder. Because of the relatively small top opening, the body must be filled carefully to avoid wasteful spilling of seed.  
         [0005]     Consequently, it is important to have a feeder that provides easy access to the body, both for filling and cleaning purposes. Although most feeders may open to some extent on top for filling purposes, it is quite difficult with a long tubular feeder to thoroughly clean the feeder without having a removable top and bottom so that the entire tube may be accessed and cleaned.  
         [0006]     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a bird feeder that provides complete and clear access to the interior of the feeder for filling and cleaning purposes. Toward this objective, it is desirable to provide a feeder without any obstructions inside the feeder near the top opening thereto. It is also desirable to provide a feeder body that is durable and will withstand potential damage caused by exposure to the elements. It is another desirable objective to provide a feeder having a top cap that is removably attached to the body. It is also desirable to provide a feeder that has an easily removable bottom cap that can be removed and reattached without the use of tools for cleaning purposes. It is also desirable to have perches that can rotate to provide different configurations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder having an interior which can be fully accessed for efficient filling and cleaning purposes.  
         [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a feeder that is easier and less expensive to manufacture.  
         [0009]     It is an object of the invention to provide a feeder that can be modified to accommodate different feed.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a feeder that is durable when exposed to the elements.  
         [0011]     It is also an object of the invention to provide a feeder with a top cap that is removably attached to the feeder opening for cleaning and filling purposes.  
         [0012]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a feeder having a bottom cap that can be easily removed and reattached without the use of tools.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a feeder having rotatable perches.  
         [0014]     Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only. The drawings illustrate a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.  
         [0016]     In the drawings:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bird feeder having a body with four feeding stations and perches;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a bird feeder having four feeding stations and perches;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a bird feeder having four feeding stations and perches;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view thereof;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the feeder along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a partial side elevational view of the feeder showing how the top cap lifts off of the body on the wire bail and also how it fits on the body of the feeder in phantom lines;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial side elevational view of the feeder showing the top cap rotated away from the top opening of the feeder on the wire bail after it is lifted up as shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , showing the spring clip as removed in phantom lines;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the feeder showing a seed catcher tray attached thereto;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the feeder along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the feeder shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the feeder shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the tray shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the tray shown in  FIG. 14  on the line  15 - 15 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is an elevational view of a bird feeder having a body of perforated metal with large holes for seed access;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is an elevational view of a bird feeder having a body of perforated metal with medium-sized holes for seed access; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is an elevational view of a bird feeder having a body of perforated metal with small holes and the tray shown in  FIG. 14  attached thereto.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, in the detailed description, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the disclosure.  
         [0036]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elements of the feeder shown in  FIG. 1  and their relationship to each other are even more apparent in the exploded view of the feeder as shown in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, the body  12  of the feeder  10  is generally tubular in shape. The body  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is manufactured of clear or colored plastic material that is substantial enough to withstand exposure to sun, precipitation and changes in temperature, such as polycarbonate. However, as later discussed, the body  12  could alternatively be comprised of other material including perforated or expanded metal. Preferably, the body  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is open at both a top end  14  and a bottom end  16 , having an interior  18  and an exterior  20 .  
         [0037]     At the bottom end  16  is a base cap  22  that is removable from, but securely fastened to, the feeder  10 . The base cap  22  is preferably manufactured of die cast metal but can be made of various materials, including plastic. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base cap  22  is generally tubular in shape and designed to fit inside the body  12 . The upper portion  26  of the base cap  22  is configured to fit easily, but snuggly inside the interior  18  of the body  12 . The rim portion  28  is of greater diameter than the body  12 , forming a lip  29 . In this manner, the upper portion  26  of the base cap  22  fits securely inside the body  12 . When the base cap  22  is fitted inside the body  12 , the body  12  rests on the lip  29  of the rim portion  28  of the base cap  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0038]     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the base cap  22  has a notch  30  forming an integral part of the upper portion  26  and extending above the lip  29  of the rim portion  28 . The notch  30  is preferably of the same shape as a cutout notch  32  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) on the bottom end  16  of the body  12 , but slightly smaller, so that it can be aligned with the cutout notch  32  when the body  12  is seated on the base cap  22 . The base cap  22  also has two base holes  34  therein, one directly opposite the other, located on the upper portion  26 , slightly above the lip  29  of the rim portion  28  of the base cap  22  on which the body  12  rests when the upper portion  26  of the base cap  22  is inserted therein (see  FIG. 9 ). The body  12  likewise has two body holes  36  therein, one directly opposite the other, situated the same distance from the bottom end  16  of the body  12  as the base holes  34  are from the lip  29  of the rim portion  28  and the same distance in each direction from the cutout notch  32  as the base holes  34  are from the notch  30 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the base cap  22  is attached to the body  12  by inserting the upper portion  26  into the interior  18  of the body  12  and mating the notch  30  on base cap  22  with the cutout notch  32  on the body  12  so that the bottom end  16  rests on the lip  29 , whereby the two base holes  34  are aligned with the two body holes  36 , resulting in two sets of aligned holes. As best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a first end  40  of a spring clip  38  is then inserted into one set of an aligned base hole  34  and body hole  36  and a second end  42  is then inserted into the second set of an aligned base hole  34  and body hole  36 . When both ends  40  and  42  are attached to the body  12  and base cap  22  in this manner, the spring force of the spring clip  38  locks the base cap  22  securely onto the body  12 .  
         [0040]     In a preferred embodiment of the tubular shaped feeder shown, the spring clip  38  is in a curved shape to generally conform to the curvature of the body  12 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . However, the spring clip  38  can be configured differently to accommodate different feeder shapes as a method of attachment of a base cap  22  to a feeder body  12 . Preferably, the first end  40  of the spring clip  38  is straight and angled inwardly for easier insertion into the body  12  and the base cap  22 . The second end  42  of the spring clip  40  is preferably looped for grasping purposes and then angled inwardly for easier insertion into the body  12  and the base cap  22 . However, other configurations of the spring clip  38  are possible and are intended to be included herein.  
         [0041]     If it is desired that the base cap  22  be removed for cleaning or some other purpose, one can simply pull the loop  43  away from the feeder  10  on the second end  42  of the spring clip  38  to release the spring clip  38  and remove it at both the first end  40  and the second end  42  from both the base cap  22  and the body  12 . The spring clip  38  is reattached most easily by aligning the notch  30  with the cutout notch  32  and the bottom end  16  of the body  12  with the lip  29  of the rim portion  28  of the base cap  22 . The first end  40  of the spring clip  38  is then inserted into one aligned set of a body hole  36  and a base hole  34  and the second end  42  is inserted into the other aligned set of a body hole  36  and a base hole  34 , while holding the loop  43  at the second end  42 . In this manner, the base cap  12  can be readily removed from the body  12  and reattached efficiently and as desired without the use of tools. Furthermore, minimal strength is required to release or reaffix the spring clip  38 . This novel attachment means is desirable for the birdwatcher, who may be refilling feeders or cleaning them outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather where tools may not be easily available or may be easily lost or misplaced under snow or vegetation.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body  12  has a plurality of feeder ports  44 . The feeder ports  44  are of generally conventional construction and are assembled and attached by screws or other means so they extend inwardly in the body  12  from opposite sides thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . The feeder ports  44  are preferably of generally square or rectangular construction and can be made of die cast metal although other shapes, as well as materials, including plastic, are feasible. The port openings  46  are angled downwardly to permit the birds better access to the feed. Protective port rims  48 , of larger dimension than the port openings  46  in the body  12  through which the feeder ports  44  extend, keep the feeder ports  44  in position on the body  12  and protect the body  12  from damage by birds or other animals. The protective port rims  48 , in the preferred embodiment, are manufactured of die cast metal to enhance durability, although they could be manufactured of plastic or other materials.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the protective port rims  48  are shaped to extend substantially below the port openings  46 , each extended portion  50  having a vertical channel  52  extending upwardly for a short distance (approximately ¾″) in the direction of the center of the port openings  46  with the protective port rims  48  snuggly fitted against the exterior  20  of the body  12 . Additionally, the protective port rims  48  are configured with a generally square indentation  54  located on the side of each extended portion  50  facing the body  12  when the feeder  10  is assembled.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , in a preferred embodiment, the perches  56  are configured of cast metal and, at a first end  58 , resemble branches, having two perch arms  60  and a flat, generally square retention portion  62  at a second end  64 , such retention portion  62  of a size and shape to fit into and mate with the indentation  54  in the protective port rim  48 . Shapes other than square are feasible for mating the indentation  54  of the protective port rim  48  with the retention portion  62  of the perch  56 . However, the generally square shape shown allows the rotation of the perches  56  as desired in 45° increments, and provides for the perches  56  to lock into place as the retention portion  62  is rotated 45° behind the protective port rims  48 . The perches  56  can be configured in various ways at the first end  58 , and could have more or less perch arms  60  and symmetrical or nonsymmetrical perch arms  60  as desired. The perches  56  could also be manufactured of plastic or other materials although they are manufactured of die cast metal in a preferred embodiment.  
         [0045]     It should be understood that the retention portion  62  can be configured in various ways, but preferably mates with the indentation  54  in the protective port rims  48  to hold the perches  56  securely in place. The feeder ports  44  can vary in number, depending on the length of the body  12 , and the desirability of more feeder ports  44  for feeding, but would generally be assembled in pairs in the configuration shown.  
         [0046]     As is also seen in  FIGS. 2, 5  and  6 , the feeder  10  has a top cap  66 , having an inside portion  68  and an outside portion  70  which, when in proper position on the body  12 , covers the open top end  14  of the body  12 . The inside portion  68  of the top cap  66  is of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the tubular body  12  in the embodiment shown, so that the inside portion  68  can fit easily, but securely, within the interior  18  of the body  12 . The outside portion  70  of the top cap  44  is of a greater diameter than the tubular body  12 , so that the outside portion  70  overhangs the body  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 , thereby providing some protection to the feeder  10  and its contents from the elements, including sun and precipitation. In the preferred embodiment, the top cap  66  is made of die cast metal to enhance durability but it could be made of plastic or other materials.  
         [0047]     Bail retention pins  72 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  5 , are affixed to the body  12  on opposite sides thereof, preferably, but not necessarily, about 1-1¼″ away from the top end  14  thereof. Each of the bail retention pins  72  have vertical holes  73  therethrough to accept the end  74  of a wire bail  76 . The use of bail retention pins  72  instead of other common methods to retain the bail (such as a bar connection across the interior diameter of the body  12 ), is a substantial improvement since bird seed has a tendency to bounce and spill if it has contact with an object near the top end  14  of the body  12  while being poured into the body  12  during filling. By incorporating bail retention pins  72  which only slightly extend into the interior  18  of the body  12  (see  FIG. 5 ), filling of the feeder  10  is easier and less likely to result in spillage and waste of feed.  
         [0048]     In a preferred embodiment, the top cap  66  is connected to the body  12  by means of a wire bail  76 . One of the two wire bail ends  74  passes through one of the top cap openings  80  in the outside portion  68  of the top cap  66  and then passes through the vertical hole  73  of the bail retention pin  72  on the same side of the body  12 , as the second of wire bail ends  74  passes through the second top cap opening  80  in the outside portion  68  of the top cap  66  and then through the vertical hole  73  of the bail retention pin  72  on the opposite side of the body  12 . In a preferred embodiment, each of the wire bail ends  74  is curved at a sufficient angle from vertical (preferably 45°-90°), to allow the rotation of the wire bail  76  to either side of the body  12  (rotation to one side is shown in  FIG. 7 ), while retaining attachment of the wire bail  76  and the top cap  66  through the bail retention pins  72 . In a preferred embodiment, the wire bail  76  is also looped in the center  82  thereof to provide for more stable hanging on a hook if desired, as well as to provide easy grasping means. However, other configurations of the wire bail  76 , including other grasping means, are possible and intended to be included herein.  
         [0049]     When it is desired to open the top cap  66  of the feeder  10 , the wire bail  76  is pulled up vertically as shown in  FIG. 6 . The top cap  66  is then lifted vertically up the wire bail  76  until the inside portion  68  is above the top end  14  of the body  12 . The wire bail  76  can then be rotated in either direction away from the top end  14  of the body  12 , thereby rotating the top cap  66  away from the top end  14  of the body  12 , to provide clear access to the interior  18  of the body  12  for filling or cleaning.  
         [0050]     A particular advantage of this method of attachment of the top cap  66  is that the top cap  66  causes no obstruction to the filling or cleaning of the body  12 . Additionally, the top cap  66  can be lifted and rotated away from the top end  14  quickly and without the use of tools. Furthermore, the top cap  66  stays attached to the feeder  10  by means of the wire bail  76  so that the top cap  66  will not fall off or get lost during filling or cleaning. Since the most critical season for feeding birds is during the winter months, this method of attachment makes it unlikely that the top cap  66  will get lost in snow.  
         [0051]     When it is desired to use the feeder  10  after filling or cleaning of the body  12 , the wire bail  76  is rotated to its vertical position and the top cap  66  is then dropped into its original position covering the top end  14  of the body  12 , with the inside portion  68  of the top cap  66  seated in the body interior  18 . The feeder  12  can then be rehung on a tree or pole for further use.  
         [0052]     Another preferred embodiment includes a seed catcher tray  84 , as shown in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  14  and  15 , which readily attaches to the bottom of the base cap  22  by a screw device as shown in  FIG. 11 , or alternative attachment means.  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIGS. 16, 17  and  18 , another preferred embodiment of the invention provides a body  12  made of perforated or expanded stainless steel or other metal welded together in a tubular shape and open at either end as previously described. The feed holes  86  can be stamped out of the metal before assembly in various sizes to accommodate the size of the seed desired. Since ordinarily one type of food of consistent size would be used in a single feeder, the feed holes  86  are preferably uniform in size on any one feeder  10 . The large holed feeder  10  shown in  FIG. 16  would be most suitable for food such as peanuts. The mid-sized holed feeder shown in  FIG. 17  would be most suitable for sunflower seeds or similar seeds, and the small holed feeder would be most suitable for thistle. Although three hole sizes are discussed herein, other feed hole  86  sizes are also feasible, as desired. The size of the feed holes  86  should be small enough to retain the feed in the feeder  10  if not being actively pulled through the holes by a bird in the process of feeding, but should be large enough so that the feed may easily pass through the feed holes  86  if birds are actively feeding.  
         [0054]     Where a metal body is used, the perches  56  and feeder ports  44  are not incorporated in the feeder  10  since the feed is pulled through the feed holes  86 . Furthermore, the birds can use the feed holes  86  as a gripping surface. The top cap  66 , the wire bail  76 , the base cap  22 , the spring clip  38  attachment and their interrelationship to one another would preferably have the same configuration in these metal body feeders  10  as previously discussed. Additionally, a seed catcher tray  84  could be attached to the metal body feeders  10  in the same manner as in the previous embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 18 . The seed catcher tray  84  is preferably made of die cast metal, although other materials, including plastic, are intended to be included herein.  
         [0055]     The use of stainless steel in the manufacture of the body  12  increases the durability of the feeder  10  and decreases cost of manufacture. It also makes the feeder  10  much easier to clean and fill since, particularly in the metal body  12  construction described, the interior  18  of the body  12  is generally open and unobstructed when the top cap  66  is removed from its position on the body  12  and the wire bail  76  is rotated away.  
         [0056]     In general, while the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.