Abstract:
A bird feeder for effectively deterring squirrels and other unwanted animals from accessing the bird feed deposited therein. The bird feeder includes at least two detachable feeder bins positioned along an edge of a central module of the feeder and a pivot device removably coupled with the central module and positioned at approximately a center of a diameter of said central module.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/430,339, entitled “SQUIRREL PROOF BIRDFEEDER”, filed Apr. 27, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a bird feeder, and, more particularly, to a squirrel proof bird feeder. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The study of birds, formally known as ornithology, is a rapidly growing field. Within the field, there are a vast range of enthusiasts from researchers to hobbyists and their numbers are ever increasing. As a result, there is a growing market for methods to attract wild birds to a particular location. The most effective method of attracting birds to a particular site is to provide an attractive environment, which includes suitable nesting sites, minimization of predators, water, and provision for nutritional needs which may be directed to a particular species or a wide range of species. In order to provide for one of the many needs of a variety of birds, numerous bird feeders have been developed for the purpose of attracting birds to a particular site for the enjoyment of bird enthusiasts. This objective has, however, been met with a wide range of challenges. Specifically, a common problem associated with bird feeders is the tendency to attract unwanted animals, for example, squirrels. Squirrels will not only feed at bird feeders, but also raid, or carry food away to their hoard, thereby depleting the available food for desirable birds and potentially destroying the bird feeder in the process. By depleting the available food stock and by their mere presence, squirrels deter desirable wild birds from visiting a site. 
         [0006]    There have been a number of attempts to develop an effective squirrel proof bird feeder which are known in the prior art. A complex squirrel deterrent bird feeder system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,627 (Banyas et al.), specifically, a cylindrical rodent repelling bird feeder including an annular perch and an electric motor geared to the perch. The perch is coupled with the electric motor and the electric motor is reciprocatively mounted in the bird feeder so that when a rodent of excessive weight alights upon the perch the motor is pulled against a resistance spring and a switch is caused to close, thereby engaging the motor which rotates the perch to dislodge the rodent. The complexity of the device and necessity for a supply of electricity make this bird feeder costly to produce and add an additional expense for operation. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,238 (Drakos) discloses a spring operated squirrel proof bird feeder including an inner and outer housing with the inner housing fixed vertically with the outer housing telescopically received thereabout and moveable between upper and lower positions. The housings have openings which are aligned and which provide through openings serving as feed ports in the upper position of the outer housing. In the lower position of the outer housing, the openings are misaligned and close the feed ports. The outer housing is also provided with springs biasing the same toward the upper position but allowing the housing to move downwardly to the lower position under the weight of the squirrel. Again, the complexity of the feeder results in high expense in both labor and materials. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,750 (Ricketts) discloses a bird feeder including a spring-actuated roof which acts as a catapult when an animal alights thereon. The roof is secured by a latch which disengages when spring loaded pistons urge the roof upward and it can be closed and resecured either manually or automatically by motor. A common problem with existing weight sensitive squirrel deterrent systems is that the weight is set, by the tension of the spring or otherwise, therefore, the system may not be effective in deterring small or immature squirrels from raiding the feeder. 
         [0009]    What is needed in the art is a bird feeder which effectively deters squirrels from accessing bird feed deposited therein and destroying the bird feeder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a bird feeder which effectively deters squirrels and other unwanted animals from accessing the bird feed deposited therein. The bird feeder includes a pair of feeder bins positioned at generally opposite ends of the feeder and a pivot device positioned approximately midway between and removably coupled with the pair of feeder bins. Each of the feeder bins has an L-shaped cross-section. The stability of the feeder is easily varied by vertically relocating a horizontal support, which may be a pin, plate, a bolt or a wire. The horizontal support is removeably attached to the feeder in a recess formed between the pair of feeder bins. On each side of the recess and attached to the feeder bins there may be a series of protrusions, slots or holes positioned to correspond with a another set of protrusions, slots or holes located on the opposite feeder bin. The protrusions may extend from the feeder bin itself or may extend from a plate or the like attached to each of the feeder bins. Alternatively, the plurality of corresponding slots or holes may be included in the walls of the recess or in plates or the like attached to each of the feeder bins. Relocation of the horizontal support along one of the pairs of the corresponding protrusions, slots or holes, in association with the pivot device, provides sufficient instability to the feeder to discourage squirrels from raiding the feed contained therein. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the bird feeder may be mounted to a suspension wire having a ball at one end, the ball positioned within a conical recess of the pivot device, thereby movably coupling the suspension wire with the pivot device. The suspension wire extends through a slot in the roof allowing the wire to remain plumb with a hinge point on the pivot device. The stability of the feeder can be adjusted by relocating the horizontal support in a vertical direction. 
         [0012]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, the bird feeder may be mounted on a post. In this embodiment, the post may include an elongate protrusion which, when coupled with the bird feeder, extends into the conical recess of a socket included in the pivot device. Thus, when trying to access the food stock by climbing up the post, a squirrel is met by the conical recess of the socket, which provides another barrier for the squirrel to get past. 
         [0013]    Alternatively, the vertical support may include a pair of beams extending into the recess between the bins of the bird feeder. The vertical support may be mounted to the feeder by a pin, bolt or wire extending through a pair of holes of a series of corresponding holes included in the pair of beams extending vertically into the recess between the feeder bins. In this case, the horizontal support, in the form of a pin, wire or bolt, is operable coupled with the vertical support such that horizontal support itself provides the hinge point. Relocation of the pin, wire or bolt in a vertical direction adjusts the stability of the bird feeder. 
         [0014]    A third embodiment of the present invention provides a bird feeder having a central module, a pivot device and at least two feeder bins which are removably coupled or detachable from the central module of the feeder and positioned in relation to a center of gravity of the central module. The pivot device is removably coupled with the central module of the bird feeder. For example, a generally vertical back wall or rear panel of the feeder bin is coupled with a substantially vertical side wall of the central module. 
         [0015]    In this case, the feeder bins may be attached to the central module by, for example, a locking mechanism, a clamping mechanism or a latch mechanism. In the case where a latch mechanism is utilized to couple the central module with one of the feeder bins, when the latch is in the unlocked position, the feeder bin may be removed for cleaning and refilling. When the latch is in the locked position, the feeder bin is securely coupled to the central module of the feeder. 
         [0016]    In this embodiment, the vertical support or post may further be positioned within a pipe or tube driven into the ground. Additionally, the length of the post may be adjustable by resetting the location of a collar seated in the pipe or tube. 
         [0017]    The feeder bins have an L-shaped cross section and may weigh, for example, less than approximately 1 lb. The feeder bins may further vary in size. The feeder bins may, for example, be configured to hold approximately 1½ quart or more, for example, 3 quarts of seed. The post may be, for example, stainless steel, wood or pipe. Each of the components of the bird feeder may be formed a variety of materials, for example, wood, stainless steel, copper, brass or PVC. In addition, the bird feeder of the present invention includes a single roof removable and overlying the central module and each of the feeder bins. The bird feeder according to the present invention further includes a single roof removably coupled with and overlying the central module and each bin. 
         [0018]    This embodiment includes a biasing mechanism for stabilization of the feeder for purposes, for example, of refilling the feeder bins. The biasing mechanism is configured to interface with the vertical post and the central module of the feeder. The biasing mechanism may, for example, be a wire having a first portion which extends from a second linear portion of the wire, the first portion being a short leg which is substantially perpendicular to the second linear portion of the wire. At an end opposite the first portion and extending from the second portion of the wire is a third portion configured in the form of a quasi spiraled end having a linear axis substantially parallel to the first portion. In this example, the third quasi spiraled portion of the wire is configured to interface with and lock around the post of the feeder such that when the third quasi spiraled portion of the wire is placed around the post, the end of the first portion or short leg of the wire is pointed down. The first portion of the wire is further configured to interface with the central module of the feeder. More specifically, the first portion is configured to slide into a groove in the wall of the central module which extends behind a portion of the bracket which is affixed to the central module. In this manner, the feeder is stabilized and the feeder bin(s) may be removed, refilled and replaced. 
         [0019]    As an option, the present invention may also include a boost stick having a slit along the length of same, which is removably coupled with the post. The boost stick enables the user to retrieve the bird feeder for refilling from a greater height than the user&#39;s natural reach by using the boost stick to push the feeder up and off the post. An advantage of this option is that the boost stick allows the user to place the feeder on a taller post, which is an attractive feature for many bird enthusiasts. 
         [0020]    An advantage of the present invention is that the device is an effective way of deterring squirrels from raiding the food stores located within the bird feeder of the present invention. A visit to the feeder of the present invention by a squirrel will be met with instability sufficient to dislodge the squirrel, thereby, thwarting any effort to raid the stores within, resulting in a maximum available food source for desirable wild birds. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the simplicity of the device provides for reduced cost and labor in manufacturing the device and simplicity in use. 
         [0022]    A further advantage of the present invention is the ease with which the bird feeder can be cleaned. By simply removing the lid, the feeder bins are easily accessible for cleaning before replenishing the food stock. 
         [0023]    Yet another advantage is the provision of the boost stick, which allows the user to place the bird feeder at a greater height, often providing better visibility and a more attractive environment for desirable wild birds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the bird feeder of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the bird feeder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the bird feeder shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a portion of another embodiment of a bird feeder of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a mounting post and boost stick of the present invention which may be used with the bird feeder shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the mounting post and boost stick shown in  FIG. 5 , taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a side view of another embodiment of the bird feeder of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bird feeder of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bird feeder of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of the locking mechanism of the bird feeder of the present invention in a locked position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of the locking mechanism of the bird feeder of the present invention in an unlocked position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of biasing mechanism of the bird feeder of the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of the biasing mechanism of the bird feeder of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a bird feeder  10  which generally includes a pair of feeder bins  12  and pivot device  14  positioned approximately midway between and removably coupled with the pair of feeder bins  12 . Feeder bins  12  are positioned at generally opposite ends of bird feeder  10 . Each of feeder bins  12  includes at least one perch  16  and at least one feeding trough  18 . Bird feeder  10  further includes a series of corresponding protrusions  20  extending directly from each of feeder bins  12  or, in the alternative, from at least two plates  22 , which are connected to each of feeder bins  12 . Horizontal support  24  is movably engaged with a plurality of corresponding protrusions, slots or holes  20  and may include a plate, a pin, a wire, or any combination thereof. 
         [0040]    Pivot device  14  includes socket  26  having conical recess  28  therein and is connected to horizontal support  24  such that pivot device  14  is positioned approximately midway between and removably coupled with feeder bins  12 . Pivot device  14  is adjustably movable in vertical directions relative to each of feeder bins  12  by relocating horizontal support  24  on a different pair of corresponding protrusions  20 , thus providing the predetermined instability sufficient to dislodge unwanted animals from the feeder. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , bird feeder  10  may optionally include a vertical support member  30  engaged with pivot device  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention, vertical support member  30  is a suspension wire. Ball  32  is connected to an end of suspension wire  34  and is positioned within a socket  28  having a conical recess, ball  32  being movably engaged with pivot device  14 . Pivot device  14 , which is movably engaged with ball  32 , is adjustably movable in a vertical direction relative to each of feeder bins  12  by relocating horizontal support  24  on a different pair of corresponding protrusions  20 , thereby providing the predetermined instability sufficient to dislodge unwanted animals from the feeder. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown another embodiment of the present invention wherein the vertical support member is a post  34 . Post  34  includes an elongate protrusion  34 A configured to be movably engaged with pivot device  14 . Pivot device  14 , which is movably engaged with post  34 , is adjustably movable in a vertical direction relative to each of feeder bins  12  by relocating horizontal support  24  on a different pair of corresponding protrusions  20 , thereby, providing the predetermined instability sufficient to dislodge unwanted animals from the feeder. 
         [0043]    The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may further include a boost stick configured to fit around and be removably engaged with post  34 . Boost stick  36  has a length l along which a slit  38  extends and which is less than the length n of post  34 . Boost stick  36  is configured to be movably engaged with the bird feeder such that it may be slid up and along post  34  to lift the feeder off post  34 , allowing for placement of the feeder at a greater height while still allowing for easy access to the feeder. 
         [0044]    The bird feeder  10  including vertical support member in the form of post  34  may further include a biasing mechanism  62  for stabilization of the feeder for purposes, for example, of refilling the feeder bins. The biasing mechanism  62  is configured to interface with post  34  and central module  44  of the feeder. Biasing mechanism  62  may, for example, be a wire having a first portion  64  which extends from a second linear portion  66  of the wire, the first portion  64  being a short leg which is substantially perpendicular to the second linear portion  66  of the wire. At an end opposite the first portion  64  and extending from the second portion  66  of the wire is a third portion  68  configured in the form of a quasi spiraled end having a linear axis s substantially parallel to the first portion  64 . In this example, the third quasi spiraled portion  68  of the wire is configured to interface with and lock around post  34  of the feeder such that when the third quasi spiraled portion  68  of the wire is placed around post  34 , the end  70  of the first portion  64  or short leg of the wire is pointed down. The first portion  64  of the wire is further configured to interface with the central module  44  of the feeder. More specifically, the first portion  64  is configured to slide into groove  72  in the wall of the central module  44  which extends behind a portion of the bracket  54  which is affixed to the central module  44 . In this manner, the feeder is stabilized and the feeder bin(s)  12  may be removed, refilled and replaced. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown another embodiment of a bird feeder  39  having post  34  including a pair of beams  40  (one of which is shown). Post  34  may be mounted to bird feeder  39  by horizontal support  24  in the form of a pin, wire or bolt which extends through a pair of holes  42  of a series of corresponding holes included in the pair of beams  40 . In this case, post  34  is operably coupled with bird feeder  39  such that horizontal support  24  is pivot device  14 . Relocation of horizontal support  24  in a vertical direction adjusts the stability of bird feeder  39  sufficiently to dislodge an unwanted visitor from the feeder. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-11 , there are shown embodiments of bird feeder  10  including central module  44 , detachable feeder bins  12 , and roof  46 . In this embodiment, pivot device  14  is removably coupled with central module  44  and is positioned in relation to a center of gravity of central module  44 . Each feeder bin  12  has a generally L-shaped cross-section and includes feeder trough  18  and perch  16 . Additionally, roof  46  is removably coupled with and configured to overlay central module  44  and each of feeder bins  12 . 
         [0047]    Substantially vertical back walls or rear plates  48  of feeder bins  12  are configured to abut a substantially vertical side wall or portion of central module  44  and are coupled to central module  44  with, for example, latch mechanism  52  such that pin  50  extending from feeder bin  12  is configured to engage latch mechanism  52 . Latch mechanism  52  includes bracket  54  and slide  56 . Feeder bin  12  is affixed to central module  44  when bent portion  58  of pin  50  is passed through opening  60  of bracket  54  and slide  56  passed over pin  50  into a locked position, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Conversely, feeder bin  12  is detachable from central module  44  by placing slide  56  in the unlocked position such that pin  50  is disengaged from latch mechanism  52 , illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, feeder bins  12  may be removably coupled with central module  44  with, for example, a lock mechanism or a clamp mechanism. 
         [0048]    The embodiment includes a biasing mechanism for stabilization of the feeder for purposes, for example, of refilling the feeder bins. Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , there is shown biasing mechanism  62  configured to interface with vertical support member  30  and the central module  44  of the feeder. The biasing mechanism  62  may, for example, be a wire having a first portion  64  which extends from a second linear portion  66  of the wire, the first portion  64  being a short leg which is substantially perpendicular to the second linear portion  66  of the wire. At an end opposite the first portion  64  and extending from the second portion  66  of the wire is a third portion  68  configured in the form of a quasi spiraled end having a linear axis l substantially parallel to the first portion  64 . In this example, the third quasi spiraled portion  68  of the wire is configured to interface with and lock around the vertical support member  30  of the feeder such that when the third quasi spiraled portion  68  of the wire is placed around the vertical support member  30 , the end  70  of the first portion  64  or short leg of the wire is pointed down. The first portion  64  of the wire is further configured to interface with the central module  44  of the feeder. More specifically, the first portion  64  is configured to slide into a groove  72  in the wall of the central module  44  which extends behind a portion of the bracket  54  which is affixed to the central module  44 . In this manner, the feeder is stabilized and the feeder bin(s) may be removed, refilled and replaced. 
         [0049]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.