Abstract:
A device and methods of using the device to deter squirrels from accessing an elevated location such as a bird feeder or birdhouse. The device includes an exposed coiled spring that surrounds the supporting pole, stick, wire or string. The coil is exposed, with no structure (e.g., a tube, cylinder, etc.) covering at least the bottom of the coil, preferably the entire length of the coil. When the device is on pole and a squirrel jumps on it as it attempts to climb, the coiled spring collapses under the weight of the squirrel, dropping it back to the ground. When the device is hung above a bird feeder around the support and a squirrel attempts to descend to the feeder, the coiled spring collapses under the squirrel&#39;s weight, stretching the squirrel&#39;s body and causing it to pull itself back up to the tree branch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 61/385,009 filed Sep. 21, 2010 entitled “DEVICE AND METHODS FOR INHIBITING SQUIRRELS”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to a device for inhibiting access by squirrels, for example, to birdhouse and bird feeders. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The fight against squirrels in bird feeders is a never-ending challenge for some bird lovers. Squirrels are notorious for gaining access to bird feeders and to birdhouses no matter what type of preventative device is tried. Numerous attempts have been made to discourage squirrels from accessing elevated bird feeders and birdhouses, such as saucer-shaped plates positioned either below or above the feeder or house, and domes positioned above the feeder or house. Intricate designs that include a plurality of sliding nested pipes have been attempted. Greasing the wire or pole supporting the feeder or house is also known to not always be successful. 
         [0004]    Various attempts have also been made to inhibit squirrels from accessing the bird feed, once the bird feeder has been reached. Many bird feeder designs utilize a spring-loaded perch, which can support the weight of a bird, but collapses under the weight of a squirrel. Some bird feeders provide an electric shock to the squirrel or spin after access has been gained, providing a great source of amusement for any onlooker. 
         [0005]    There has to be a better way to inhibit squirrels from gaining access to bird feeders and to birdhouses. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention is directed to a device and methods of using the device to inhibit, deter, and preferably prevent, squirrels from accessing an elevated location such as a bird feeder or birdhouse. The device includes an exposed coiled spring that is attached to the support mechanism of the location, the support mechanism usually being a pole, stick, wire or string. When installed properly, the coiled spring surrounds the support mechanism. The coil is exposed, with no structure (e.g., a tube, cylinder, etc.) covering at least the bottom of the coil, and preferably the entire length of the coil. 
         [0007]    When the coil device is hung on around pole supporting a bird feeder and a squirrel jumps on it as it attempts to climb, the coiled spring collapses under the weight of the squirrel, dropping it back to the ground. When the coiled device is hung above a bird feeder around the support mechanism and a squirrel attempts to descend to the feeder, the coiled spring collapses under the squirrel&#39;s weight, stretching the squirrel&#39;s body and causing it to pull itself back up to the tree branch. In both embodiments, the recoil action of the coiled spring device frightens the squirrel to further avoid the bird feeder. 
         [0008]    In one particular embodiment, this disclosure provides a kit for deterring squirrels and other critters. The kit includes a coil and an attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism is one or two zip-ties. The coil may be metal. 
         [0009]    In another particular embodiment, this disclosure provides a method of inhibiting or deterring access to an elevated location mounted on a pole. The method includes providing a coil having a first end and a second end, mounting the first end below the elevated location with the coil exposed around the pole, and letting the coil hang in a relaxed state around the pole with at least the second end of the coil exposed. The first end of the coil may be attached to the location being protected or to the pole. The second end of the coil may hang freely. In some embodiments, the entire coil may be exposed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a birdhouse positioned on a pole with the squirrel inhibiting device operably mounted on the pole; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of two bird feeders positioned on a Shepard&#39;s hook with the squirrel inhibiting device operably mounted on the Shepard&#39;s hook; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a bird feeder suspended by a wire from a tree with the squirrel inhibiting device operably mounted on the wire; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a kit including the squirrel inhibiting device and at least one mounting mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a device to deter or inhibit access to an elevated location (such as a bird feeder, birdhouse or bird bath) to vermin such as squirrels. Although the description of this invention is directed to inhibiting access to squirrels, it is understood that this device can also be used to inhibit access by cats, skunks, opossums, raccoons, rats, mice, and other smaller vermin. Overall, it could be said that this invention is directed to deterring access to an elevated location to critters. 
         [0016]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration various specific embodiments. The description provides additional specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The following Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below. 
         [0017]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein. 
         [0018]    As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a birdhouse  1  mounted in an elevated position (i.e., above the ground) via pole  2 . A coiled squirrel inhibiting device  10  is attached below birdhouse  1  around pole  2 . Device  10  has a first end  12  and a second end  14  that have therebetween a plurality of coils. Device  10  is mounted to pole  2  below birdhouse  1 , in the illustrated embodiment just below the level of birdhouse  1 . In other embodiments, device  10  may be connected to birdhouse  1 . Device  10  is positioned around pole  2  so that pole  2  extends through device  10  and the coils spirally wrap around pole  2 . At least second end  14  is exposed; that is, at least second end  14  is not covered by any structure (e.g., a tube, cylinder, sleeve, etc.). Preferably, at least the lower half of device  10  is exposed, more preferably at least the lower three-quarters of device  10 . In some embodiments, at least the lowest 6 inches of device  10  is exposed, and in other embodiments at least the lowest 12 inches of device is exposed. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the entire length of device  10  is exposed. 
         [0020]    In its compressed state, that is, with ends  12 ,  14  pushed together to minimize the distance between adjacent coils, device  10  has a length usually about 2 to 3 inches (e.g., about 2.5 inches) but may be about 1 to 5 inches. In its relaxed extended state (i.e., extended merely due to gravity, with no other forces extending device  10 ), device  10  may be about 2 feet to 4 feet, although the extended length is highly dependent on the spring constant of device  10 , which is a function of the material of device  10 , the thickness of the material, the number of coils, the diameter of the coils, etc. The diameter of device  10 , in its compressed state is usually about 2 to 3 inches (e.g., about 2.5 inches), although larger or smaller devices  10  would be useful, depending on the support (e.g., pole  2 ) around which device  10  is positioned. In an extended state (either a relaxed extended state or a forced extended state), the diameter will be generally the same as in its compressed state, but may decrease slightly due to elongation of the coil. In most embodiments, the diameter of device  10  is constant from first end  12  to second end  14  when device  10  is in its compressed state. 
         [0021]    Device  10  may be made from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, composite materials, or the like, although metal is the preferred material as it will withstand the rigors of being installed outdoors in extreme temperatures (cold and hot), is resistant to UV degradation, and depending on the specific metal, may be resistant to rusting. A metal device  10  is also preferred as it will typically be free of minute topography onto which a squirrel could cling. 
         [0022]    Device  10  inhibits access to birdhouse  1  via pole  2  by multiple manners. When installed to protect a location, device  10  hangs in a relaxed extended state, preferably with second end  14  unconnected and hanging freely above the ground. Further, at least second end  14  and in most embodiments the entire length of device  10  is exposed. Upon a squirrel touching device  10 , device  10  will move, often scaring the squirrel away or at least away from device  10 . The contact by the squirrel will cause device  10  to swing, rotate, and/or stretch. Additionally, if the movement of device  10  does not sufficiently deter the squirrel and the squirrel attempts to climb up device  10 , device  10  stretches under the squirrel&#39;s weight to a forced extended state, both scaring the squirrel and deterring vertical climbing by the squirrel. As the squirrel attempts to climb higher up device  10 , the coils of device  10  continue to stretch, inhibiting vertical progress by the squirrel. Further, when the squirrel gives up and releases device  10 , device  10  will recoil, hopefully again scaring the squirrel. 
         [0023]    The following procedure may be used to install device  10  to protect an elevated location (e.g., birdhouse  1 ) that is supported via its bottom, e.g., by pole  2 , by attaching device  10  to the bottom of the location. 
         [0024]    (1) Remove birdhouse  1  or other object from support pole  2  and set aside. 
         [0025]    (2) Place the birdhouse&#39;s mounting element (e.g., support wire or rod) through the center of the coils of device  10 . This is easiest done with device  10  in a compressed state. 
         [0026]    (3) Attach upper end  12  of device  10  to the mounting element so that device  10  hangs securely therefrom. 
         [0027]    (4) Let lower end  14  of device  10  hang loose around pole  2 . With device  10  in its relaxed extended state, lower end  14  preferably does not contact the ground. 
         [0028]    (5) Remount birdhouse  1  onto support pole  2 . 
         [0029]    In an alternate method, step (2) may be to wrap device  10  onto the mounting element until the entire device  10  surrounds it. 
         [0030]    Device  10  may be utilized with various arrangements and with various locations to be protected.  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate alternate arrangements that benefit having a squirrel inhibiting device. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates two bird feeders  4 A and  4 B suspended above the ground on a Shepard&#39;s hook  3 . A coiled squirrel inhibiting device  20  is attached to and around Shepard&#39;s hook  3 , which has two separate and spaced apart hanging hooks supported by a pole portion. Device  20  has a first end  22  and a second end  24  that have therebetween a plurality of coils. Device  20  is generally the same as device  10  described above. 
         [0032]    The following procedure may be used to install device  20  to protect an elevated location (e.g., bird feeders  4 A,  4 B) by attaching device  20  to the support that does not have an upper end over which device  20  can be fed (e.g., hook  3 ). 
         [0033]    (1) Manually wind device  20  around Shepard&#39;s hook  3  until the entire device  20  surrounds hook  3 ; 
         [0034]    (2) Attach upper end  22  of device  20  to Shepard&#39;s hook  3 , either on the pole portion or at the joint between the pole portion and the hanging hooks, so that it hangs securely. 
         [0035]    (3) Let lower end  24  of device  20  hang loose. With device  20  in its relaxed extended state, lower end  24  preferably does not contact the ground. 
         [0036]    In an alternate method, step (1) may be to remove Shepard&#39;s hook  3  from the ground and slide device  20  upward around hook  3  so that device  20  surrounds the pole portion of hook  3 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bird feeder  6  suspended and depending from a tree branch  7  via wire  5 . A coiled squirrel inhibiting device  30  is attached around wire  5 . Device  30  has a first end  32  and a second end  34  that have therebetween a plurality of coils. Device  30  is generally the same as device  10 ,  20  described above. When device  30  is suspended above the location to be protected, second end  34  is above the level of bird feeder  6 , preferably a distance that is uncomfortable for the squirrel to jump, for example, at least 12 inches, such as at least 24 inches. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates a critter (e.g., squirrel) deterring kit. The kit includes a coiled device  40  and an attachment mechanism  48 . Coiled device  40  has first end  42 , a second end  44  and a plurality of coils  46  therebetween. Device  40  is generally the same as device  10 ,  20 ,  30  described above. 
         [0039]    As indicated above, the coiled animal deterrent device  40  may be made from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, composite materials, or the like, although metal is the preferred material as it will withstand the rigors of being installed outdoors in extreme temperatures (cold and hot), is resistant to UV degradation, and may be resistant to rusting. In its compressed state, device  40  has a length (or height, when set on a surface) of about 1 to 5 inches, usually about 2 to 3 inches (e.g., about 2.5 inches), and a diameter of about 2 to 3 inches (e.g., about 2.5 inches), although larger or smaller devices  40  would be useful. In its relaxed expanded state, device  40  has a length of about 2 feet to 4 feet, although the extended length is highly dependent on the spring constant of device  40 , which is a function of the material of device  40 , the number of coils, the diameter of the coils, etc. One or both ends  42 ,  44  may include a feature to facilitate connecting attachment mechanism  48  thereto, a feature such as an eyelet, a hook, a slit, a protrusion, or a stop. 
         [0040]    Attachment mechanism  48  may be any device suitable for attachment of device  40  to pole  2 , Shepard&#39;s hook  3 , wire  5 , or even to birdhouse  1  or a feeder. The attachment mechanism may be, for example, a zip-tie (e.g., plastic zip-tie), metal wire, string, pressure sensitive adhesive, a screw, a nail, or a clip. Mechanism fasteners, such as a nail, screw, clip, are particularly suitable for attaching device  40  (e.g., end  42 ) directly to the bottom of a metal or wooden structure, such as a birdhouse. Wire or zip-ties are particularly suitable for attaching device  40  to an attachment point such as a joint in a multiple-hook Shepard&#39;s hook. Tape or a clip may be best suited for attaching device  40  to a suspended wire. The user of device  40  will be able to determine the best or most convenient attachment mechanism  48  for the application. The particular kit of  FIG. 4  includes two plastic zip-ties as attachment mechanism  48 . One or both zip-ties may be used to attach device  40 . 
         [0041]    Thus, embodiments of DEVICE AND METHODS FOR DETERRING SQUIRRELS are disclosed. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.