Abstract:
A squirrel proof bird feeder wherein there is provided a lower movable shroud which extends about a lower portion of the feed container having feed access openings therein, a spring member biasing the shroud to a position wherein feed container access openings and shroud access openings are substantially aligned while permitting the shroud access opening to move out of alignment with the feed container access opening when a predetermined weight is placed on the shroud. An adjustment is provided for adjusting the weight required to move the shroud.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to bird feeders, and more particularly relates to improvements therein.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Selective bird feeders are well known in the art and are designed to limit the maximum size of a bird or animal which can access the seed in the feeder. The reasons for excluding certain birds may be many. Thus, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,525, there is provided a selective bird feeder which is specific to cardinals. As taught by this patent, a favorite seed of cardinals is the sunflower seed; this seed is also popular with both smaller and larger birds.  
           [0003]    Some larger birds will also access the seed and many such birds including crows, grackles, blue jays and the like are considered by some people to be undesirable.  
           [0004]    A further problem associated with bird feeders is marauders which gain access to the seeds. In particular, squirrels are well known for their ability to reach the seed in a bird feeder and to devour the same. Many approaches have been tried to discourage or prevent squirrels from reaching the bird feeder, including various types of covers and baffles on poles. These seldom work as the squirrels have shown great ingenuity in overcoming such devices.  
           [0005]    Some of the attempted solutions to the problem are disclosed in the prior art such as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,686 to Furlani which teaches a movable shroud. U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,690 to Bachman describes a bird feeder in which an inverted cylindrical hopper is suspended over a feeding pan; a bird perch surrounds the pan and is attached to a conical shroud. Both the perch and the shroud are supported by a compression spring whereby heavier birds or mammals on the perch cause the shroud to move downwardly.  
           [0006]    Another shroud arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,126,870 wherein a cylindrical shroud surrounds a hopper and is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis under the bias of a weight.  
           [0007]    While all of the above references disclose shroud type arrangements, such devices have not appeared to have received commercial acceptance in the marketplace. It might be surmised that this is due to the fact that some of the arrangements are relatively complicated and/or expensive to produce.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustably selective bird feeder having a movable shroud to protect and isolate the access openings by which the birds can gain access to the feed in the container from unwanted intruders.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustably selective bird feeder which uses a compressible member such as a spring to cause the shroud to move and protect the access openings when predetermined weight is placed thereon.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a feed container for a bird feeder which is easy to manufacture and uses a minimum of components.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder which can be easily disassembled without the use of tools to provide for easy repair and easy access for cleaning.  
           [0012]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a bird feeder comprising a feed container having a base and an outer wall extending upwardly therefrom, at least one feed container access opening in the outer wall, a cover member, the cover member being removably connected to an upper portion of the feed container, a shroud extending about at least a portion of the feed container, at least one shroud access opening substantially aligned with the feed container access opening to thereby permit access to the feed container, an elongated hollow center tube within the feed container, the hollow center tube being connected to the feed container, an elongated rod within the center tube, the rod being connected to the shroud at a lower end of the rod, the rod being movable within the center tube axially, and biasing means associated with the rod at an upper end thereof, the biasing means biasing the rod and the shroud to a position wherein the feed container access opening and the shroud access opening are substantially aligned while permitting the shroud access opening to move out of alignment with the feed container access opening when a predetermined weight is placed on the shroud.  
           [0013]    In a greater detail, the bird feeder of the present invention is designed as a multi component device which can be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. Furthermore, the components of the feeder, when disassembled, can be placed in a cleaning device such as a dishwasher to sanitize all the components and thus prevent the spread of disease which is a frequent problem associated with bird feed which remains in the container for a substantial period of time.  
           [0014]    The bird feeder of the present invention can be sized to meet the requirements of the industry. Thus, the feed container, which is preferably formed of a transparent plastic material, can be sized to accept the desired amount of bird feed. Preferably, it is made of a material which will resist the attack of marauders such as squirrels and to this end, a plastic material such as Lexan® may be utilized.  
           [0015]    The components of the bird feeder which might be subject to attack by the marauders such as squirrels can be made of an appropriate metallic material such as aluminum. Thus, the cover and the shroud would most desirably be made of such a metallic material. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bird feeder according to the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 2 and 2A are side sectional views of the feeder in a retracted and extended position respectively;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the feeder in an extended position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 4 and 4A are cut away views of the bird feeder in a retracted and extended position respectively;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is an expanded cut away view of the lower portion of the bird feeder in an extended condition;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cut away view of the lower portion of the bird feeder in a retracted condition;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a side view of portions of the feed container;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the feed container being rotated through 90°;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rim cover of the bird feeder;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inner portion of the lower feed container;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of the assembled inner tube and lower feed container;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the assembly being rotated through 90°;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer portion of the lower feed container;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 13 and 13A are side elevational views of the inner tube with the tube being rotated through 90°;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 14 and 14A are perspective and cross sectional views respectively of the hub portion of the bird feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the cap for the cartridge portion;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cartridge portion;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the center post cap;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 18 and 18A are perspective and side sectional views respectively of the cover;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 19 and 19A are side elevational and side sectional views respectively of the shroud;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the skirt portion of the bird feeder; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 21 is a side view of the center rod. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a bird feeder which is generally designated by reference numeral  10 .  
         [0040]    Bird feeder  10  has several major components as identified in FIGS. 2 and 2A. These components include an upper feed container  12 , a lower feed container  14 , a shroud  16 , a skirt  18 , an inner tube  20 , a rod  22 , a center hub  24  and a cover  26 .  
         [0041]    Upper feed container  12  comprises a transparent cylindrical tube  30 . Lower feed container  14  is formed of two members; an inner portion  32  of lower feed container  14  (which is best seen in FIG. 9) and an outer portion  40  of the lower feed container  14  (best illustrated in FIG. 12).  
         [0042]    Referring initially to FIG. 9, inner portion  32  of lower feed container  14  is generally cylindrical in configuration and includes a side wall  34  having an upper rim  35  extending thereabout. A pair of diametrically opposed vertical recesses  36  are provided for locating purposes as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Also, a pair of diametrically opposed spring tabs  37  are utilized for connecting inner portion  32  to outer portion  40 . Inner portion  32  also includes a plurality of baffles  39  and recessed inner portions generally designated by reference numeral  38  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.  
         [0043]    Outer portion  40  of lower feed container  14 , as seen in FIG. 12, is also generally cylindrical in configuration and includes an outer side wall  41  in which there are provided a plurality of feed access openings  42 . At a pair of diametrically opposed feed access openings  42 , there are provided notches  43  which are designed to receive spring retaining tabs  37  to interconnect inner portion  34  and outer portion  40 . Guide ribs  51  align the portion by fitting within recesses  36 . A bottom wall  44  is formed of a plurality of triangular configurations to direct seed and also to provide for drainage through drainage apertures  45  (FIG. 2A). The outer portion  40  also includes a centrally located center post  46  which has an upper tapered portion  47  and a lower portion  48 . Upper portion  47  is provided with tabs  49  for interconnection to inner tube  20 .  
         [0044]    Inner portion  32  and outer portion  40  of lower feed container  14  are assembled and the arrangement is such that the baffles  39  are situated above feed access openings  42  and recessed portions  38  align with feed access openings  42 .  
         [0045]    Center hub  24  (FIGS. 14,14A) includes a central portion  52  having a plurality of radially extending arms  54 . Within each radially extending arm  54  there is provided a channel  56  having screw threads  58  extending partially thereabout.  
         [0046]    Center hub  24  also includes an upwardly extending center post  60  and which post  60  has a pair of diametrically opposed side guide flanges  62 . A somewhat V-shaped slot  64  is formed in the upper end of center post. Center post  60  includes a central channel  66  designed to receive rod  22 .  
         [0047]    Shroud  16  (FIGS. 19, 19A) has a shroud side wall  70  with a plurality of feed access openings  74  being formed in side wall  70 . Situated below each feed access opening  74  is an aperture  76  to permit passage of a perch. A bottom wall  78  has a plurality of seed drainage apertures  80  formed therein. An upwardly extending center hub portion  82  is designed to receive the lower portion of center hub  24  and has an aperture  84  located centrally thereof.  
         [0048]    There are provided a plurality of perches  88  (FIG. 5) each having screw threads  90  formed on one end thereof for screw threaded engagement with screw threads  58  on radial arms  54  of center hub  24 . A circular perch  92  (as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and  4 A) interconnects the distal non screw threaded ends of perches  88  and is retained thereby.  
         [0049]    Skirt member  18  (FIG. 20) includes an inner cylindrical wall  96  and an outer skirt wall  98 . In the illustrated embodiment, skirt member  18  is illustrated as being formed of a single piece; naturally, cylindrical wall  96  and outer skirt wall  98  may be formed separately and suitably secured together.  
         [0050]    Inner tube  20  (FIGS. 13, 13A) has a lower cylindrical portion  102  which merges with a pair of upwardly extending forks  104 . At an upper portion of forks  104  there are apertures  106  formed therein.  
         [0051]    An inner adjustment housing  110  (FIG. 16) is designed to fit between forks  104  and is rotatable on lower cylindrical portion  102  of inner tube  20 . The inner walls of adjustment housing  110  are beveled to receive and retain a nut like member (see FIG. 16).  
         [0052]    A retaining member  116  (FIG. 15) is designed to retain housing  110  in position and to this end, includes a flat body portion  118 , a lower cylindrical portion  120  designed to seat within inner adjustment housing  110  and a pair of upwardly extending arms  122 . Each arm  122  has an upper groove  124  formed therein. Grooves  124  are designed to receive a retaining pin  123  which extends through apertures  106  and forks  104  to thereby secure the assembly together (FIG. 3).  
         [0053]    An upper cap  130  is designed to seat on retaining member  116  and to this end, includes a pair of upwardly extending portions  132  designed to receive upper arms  122  while covering the member  116  and retaining pin  126  in position.  
         [0054]    Center rod  22  (FIG. 21) has an upper threaded portion generally designated by reference numeral  136  and a lower threaded portion generally designated by reference numeral  138 . The arrangement is such that inner adjustment housing  110 , as aforementioned, fits between forks  104  and is rotatable on lower cylindrical portion  102 . A stop member  144  extends through rod  22  to limit rod travel. Located inwardly of inner adjustment housing  110  is a spring  140  and which is retained therein by means of a nut  142  which is screw threadedly engaged with upper threaded portion  136  of rod  22 . The arrangement is such that rotational movement of inner adjustment housing  110  will adjust the tension on spring  140  by shortening or lengthening the same. At its lower end, there is provided a wing nut  146  to engage lower screw threaded portion  138  of rod  22 .  
         [0055]    There is also provided a rim cover  150  (FIG. 8) which seats and is secured to the upper marginal edge of upper feed container  12 . Rim cover  150  includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots  152  and recesses  154  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.  
         [0056]    Cover  26  (FIGS. 18, 18A) includes a horizontal top wall  156  which merges with a first sloping side wall  158 . Sloping side wall  158  in turn merges with a vertical wall  160  having a pair of diametrically opposed indents  162  thereon. Indents  162  are designed to fit within slots  152  on rim cover  150  to permit the placing and the locking of cover  26  in position (recesses  154 ). At the lower end of vertical wall  160 , there is provided a second sloping wall  164  which terminates in a drip edge  166 . Vents  159  are formed in side wall  158 .  
         [0057]    In assembly, center hub  24  is placed within shroud  16  and perches  88  are inserted through perch openings  76  and screw threadedly engaged within radial arms  54 . Perches  88  may be adjusted to the desired distance to which they extend outwardly and if desired, circular perch  92  may be placed thereon and which circular perch  92  is retained in position by the distal ends of perches  88 .  
         [0058]    Outer portion  40  of lower feed container  14  is then placed such that hub center post  60  extends within tapered center post  44  of lower feed container  14 . The tapered arrangement prevents binding when shroud  16  moves downwardly to deny access to the feed access openings  38 . The rib in the hub and the slot in the center post maintain alignment. In this respect, they are both tapered (two directions) to ensure easy movement of the parts.  
         [0059]    Skirt  18  is then placed over outer portion  40  of lower feed container  14  and seats thereon. Inner wall  96  extends about the top of the shroud to cover the shroud in both positions. The skirt  18  also acts as a bumper and prevents a squirrel from having any access.  
         [0060]    Inner portion  34  of lower feed container  14  is then placed in position with tabs  37  engaging notches  43 . Upper feed container  12  fits about the upwardly extending portion of the inner portion  34  of lower feed container  14 .  
         [0061]    Cover  26  is then placed in position with indents  162  passing through slots  152  on rim cover  150 ; the cover  26  is then rotated such that the indents are engaged with recesses  154  to maintain cover  26  in position. A hanger  155  (FIG. 1) engages retaining pin  123  and passes through an aperture formed in top wall  156  of cover  26 . In this respect, a sealing member  157  extends between upper cap  130  and cover  26  to prevent the entry of any moisture. Sealing member  157  is under compression between cover  26  and cap  130 .  
         [0062]    The above arrangement provides a unique squirrel resistant feeder which provides maximum benefits in operation.  
         [0063]    The perches, as previously mentioned, are adjustable in length and can be shortened to attract small birds such as chickadees and finches while deterring larger birds such as grackles and starlings. The ring system permits the user to attract cardinals who normally dislike turning their heads to feed. In a preferred embodiment, the perches can be locked into position by providing that the perch openings  76  in shroud  16  are slightly off center with respect to channels  56  of center hub  24 . Thus, when wing nut  146  is loosened, perches  88  may easily be inserted through the lined openings or apertures. A tightening of wing nut  46  will place the openings slightly off center and exert a pressure on perches  88  by side wall  70  of shroud  16 . Alternatively, screw threads  58  in channel  56  may be designed to be somewhat resilient (similar to a nylon locking nut) to provide a greater locking security for perches  88 .  
         [0064]    The feeder of the present invention provides a ventilation system to permit the egress of hot air. As will be understood, due to the transparent nature of the upper feed container  12 , solar energy will cause heating and it is desirable to provide for ventilation. The present invention utilizes two means to permit the egress of the heated air—through vents  159  and also through slots  152  on rim cover  150 .  
         [0065]    As will be seen in FIG. 10, wall  41  is tapered inwardly at its lower extremities. This provides for an increasing distance between the shroud and wall  41  as may be seen in FIG. 6. This enables any seed which is jammed between the shroud and wall to escape.  
         [0066]    It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.