Abstract:
A squirrel resistant bird feeder having a seed container, a seed tray mounted below the seed container, a shroud extending about the seed member and seed tray, the shroud having openings in a lower portion thereof, with a spring member mounted internally of the seed container and being enclosed by a central tube, the spring member having a first end thereof abutting a portion of the seed tray and a second end acting on the cover and shroud. Any excessive weight placed on the shroud or cover will cause the shroud to move downwardly covering the seed tray.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a bird feeder and more particularly, relates to a bird feeder which prevents large birds and other animals from obtaining feed therefrom. 
       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 favourite seed of cardinals is a sunflower seed; this seed is also popular with both smaller and larger birds. 
         [0003]    Some larger birds will also access the seed within a bird feeder and many such birds, such as 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 squirrels have shown great ingenuity in overcoming such devices. 
         [0005]    There are also many proposals in the art for squirrel proof bird feeders which utilize a shroud to cover openings in the side wall of a seed container. The shroud is biased to a first position, usually by a spring member, such that when weight is placed on the shroud, it moves to cover the feed openings. Thus, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,109 and 6,945,192 which disclose such arrangements. 
         [0006]    While such shroud type squirrel proof bird feeders are useful, they are relatively costly to manufacture and assemble due to different requirements such as maintaining the openings in the shroud and openings in the side wall of the seed container in alignment. One must also take into account inclement weather which can affect the functioning of the bird feeder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a squirrel proof bird feeder which is relatively inexpensive due to a minimum number of components. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squirrel proof bird feeder wherein the seed is transferred from a seed container to a seed tray from which the birds may have access thereto. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a squirrel resistant bird feeder comprising a seed container, a seed tray mounted below the seed container, a shroud extending about the seed container and the seed tray, at least one opening in a lower portion of the shroud, a spring member mounted internally of the seed container, a first end of the spring member biasing the seed tray, a second end of the spring abutting a portion of the shroud such that the shroud is biased to a first position wherein the at least one opening in the shroud permits access to the seed tray, the shroud being moveable to a second position when a weight on the shroud compresses the spring, the second position denying access to the seed tray, a central tube enclosing the spring and a cover member placed over the shroud. 
         [0010]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a squirrel resistant bird feeder comprising a seed container, a seed tray mounted below the seed container, a shroud extending about at least a portion of the seed container and the seed tray, at least one opening in a lower portion of the shroud, a cover member extending over the shroud and being secured thereto, a central tube extending between the seed tray to an upper portion of the seed container, a center post within the central tube, the center post being secured to the seed tray, the center post extending through the cover member; and a spring member mounted about the center post within the central tube, a first end of the spring member abutting a portion of the seed tray, a second end of the spring being arranged such that the shroud is biased to a first position when the at least one opening in the shroud permits access to the seed tray, the shroud being moveable to a second position when a weight on the shroud compresses the spring, the second position denying access to the seed tray. 
         [0011]    The squirrel resistant bird feeder of the present invention utilizes a seed tray which is mounted below a seed container to receive seed therefrom. It is the seed tray which is accessed by the birds. This arrangement eliminates the use of baffles in the side wall of the seed container and also eliminates the use of various guide members in order to maintain alignment between openings in the shroud and the seed container. 
         [0012]    The spring member is mounted internally of the seed container and has a central tube enclosing the same to prevent seed from disturbing the functioning of the spring member. 
         [0013]    The present invention also utilizes a center post which is attached to the seed tray and which center post extends exteriorly of the cover. A hanger is mounted on the exterior portion of the post. In this embodiment, the hanger prevents removal of the cover and shroud. In order to gain access to the seed container, the hanger is removed and the cover and shroud lifted. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, the cover and the shroud are secured together and conveniently may be formed as a single piece. 
         [0015]    The center post, as aforementioned, is preferably attached to the seed tray and has a distal end thereof extending exteriorly of the cover. The hanger may be attached through a hole extending through the center post, the hole being located proximate to the cover such that it maintains the cover (and shroud) in position on the feeder. The post, instead of being attached to the seed tray, could be attached to the central tube to provide an equivalent structure. Other equivalent combinations could be utilized in that the spring may be biased against the bottom of the center tube which in turn will bias the seed tray. The tube may form a portion of the seed container. 
         [0016]    Conveniently, a plunger may be utilized to receive one end of the spring member and which plunger has a second end abutting the cover. Thus, it will be the plunger which will move in a vertical direction as any pressure is placed on either the negative grip tube member, the cover or the shroud. 
         [0017]    At the upper end of the central tube, there is provided a sealing member to substantially prevent moisture and debris from gaining access to the plunger and central tube. The sealing member is preferably in the form of a boot having an accordion like structure. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the bird feeder may include a plurality of perches located on the shroud. In such a preferred embodiment, the perches are pivotable between a storage position and a normal use position. The movement between the storage position and normal use position permits the shipping of the bird feeders in a minimal space. 
         [0019]    A negative grip tube comprises a tube which is slidable on the hanger and in its normal position, will cover the connection between the hanger and the center post. This member also functions to prevent a squirrel from grabbing onto the hanger and thereby gaining access to the feeder. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the center post may be either a rigid metallic member or alternative structures such as a cable may be employed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bird feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating the perches in a position for shipping; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view thereof in an open position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the seed tray post secured thereto, and the hanger; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the seed tray and seed container; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the top portion thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the top portion of the feeder in an open position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the bottom portion of the feeder in an open position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view of the feeder in a closed position when the shroud has descended to cover the feed openings; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the top portion of the feeder from  FIG. 9  in a closed position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the bottom portion thereof in a closed position; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 12 to 14  are perspective views of the upper portions of the bird feeder showing attachment of the hanging member to the center rod. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a perspective view of a bird feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention and which bird feeder is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
         [0035]    Bird feeder  10  includes a seed tray which is generally designated by reference numeral  12 . Seed tray  12  comprises a base defined by a center horizontal wall  16  which merges with a downwardly sloping wall  18 . Downwardly sloping wall  18  then merges with a bottom wall  19  and an upwardly extending side wall  20 . A plurality of drainage apertures  22  are provided both in bottom wall  19  and sloping wall  18  to permit the drainage of any moisture from seed tray  12 . 
         [0036]    Extending upwardly from center wall  16  is a center post  24  which includes an aperture  26  at its upper distal end. 
         [0037]    Bird feeder  10  further includes a seed container generally designated by reference numeral  28 . Seed container  28  includes a cylindrical side wall  30 . At the lower end of seed container  28 , there is provided a bottom side wall  34  which extends inwardly for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. There is further provided a center tube  36  which surrounds center post  24 . Center tube  36  is connected to bottom side wall  34  by means of a plurality of connecting ribs or flanges  38 . 
         [0038]    Extending about seed tube  28  is a shroud generally designated by reference numeral  40 . Shroud  40  includes an upper portion  42  and a lower portion  44 . Upper portion  42  includes a plurality of apertures  46  formed therein while lower portion  46  includes feed openings  48  which permit access to seed tray  12  as will be discussed hereinbelow. In the illustrated embodiment, there are provided four such feed openings. 
         [0039]    Mounted on lower portion  44  are ears  50 , each ear  50  having a base  52  secured to lower portion  44  with a leg  54  extending outwardly therefrom. Each leg  54  includes an aperture  56 . As may be seen in the drawings, ears  50  are formed by a punch out in the side wall of lower portion  44  of shroud  40 . 
         [0040]    In the illustrated embodiment, there are illustrated four perches  58 , each having a U-shaped section  60  designed to support a bird. There is also provided an upwardly extending legs  62  and inwardly extending legs  64 , the inwardly extending legs  64  seating in apertures  56  as shown in the drawings. 
         [0041]    At the upper end of center post  24 , there is provided a plunger generally designated by reference numeral  66 . Plunger  66  includes a cylindrical body  68  with a top inwardly extending portion  70  abutting against center post  24  and a lower outwardly extending flange  71  which terminates in a downwardly extending wall  72 . Downwardly extending wall  72  defines a socket  76  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
         [0042]    A coil spring member  78  is designed to have one end seat within socket  76  while the other end of spring member  78  seats against center wall  16  of seed tray  12 . Thus, spring  78  exerts an upward force against plunger  66 . 
         [0043]    A cover member  90  is provided for purposes of covering seed tray  12  and seed container  28 . Cover  90  includes an upper portion  92  which is secured to shroud  40 . As is conventional, cover  90  is also provided with a sloping top wall  96  which merges with a vertical wall  98  designed to fit around the outer circumference of upper portion  42  of shroud  40 . In turn, vertical wall  98  merges with a drip edge structure which is generally designated by reference numeral  100  and which drip edge structures are well known in the art. 
         [0044]    Provided at the top of bird feeder  10  is a negative grip tube generally designated by reference numeral  102 . Negative grip tube  102  includes a cylindrical body  104  having a bottom edge sitting on a horizontal seat  94  of cover  90 . At its upper end, negative grip tube  102  includes an inwardly tapered wall  108 . 
         [0045]    A boot  80  is provided interiorly of shroud  40  and has a lower portion  82  designed to seat about an upper portion of center tube  36  while an upper portion  84  seats about an upper end of plunger  66  and extends inwardly of a portion fitting within cover  90  to thereby provide a sealing effect. A main body portion  86  of boot  80  is formed of an accordion like structure for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
         [0046]    A hanging member  110  is provided to hang the bird feeder  10  from any suitable structure. At its upper end, hanging member  110  is provided with an eye  112 . There is provided a main shaft  114  and a hook  116 . As may be best seen in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , hook  116  is inserted through aperture  26  of center post  24  and then moved upwardly into position. A sealing ring  118  is provided on main shaft  114 . 
         [0047]    In use, the bird feeder  10  is utilized in the open position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  7  and  8 . In this arrangement, spring  78  biases plunger  66  upwardly to a stop position. In this position, boot  80  is in extended position as best seen in  FIG. 7 . Shroud  40  is thus maintained in an open position wherein access to seed tray  12  is permitted. The system of the present invention includes a pair of stops to limit the movement of the shroud. Thus, the downward movement of shroud  40  is limited by a stop wherein sidewall  30  of seed container  28  abuts cover  90 . The upward movement is limited by flange  71  abutting against the inwardly extending section of center tube  36  as may be best seen in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0048]    Upon any pressure being exerted on shroud  40 , perches  58 , cover  90 , or negative grip tube  102 , spring  78  is pushed into a compressed or closed position as seen in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 . It will be noted that boot  80  also compacts to the accordion like structure. Access to seed tray  12  is then denied. 
         [0049]    In the open position of  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  7  and  8 , when seeds have been placed within seed tube  28 , they are distributed onto seed tray  12 . From seed tray  12 , access may be had through feed openings  48  such that the birds may feed from the seed tray. However, when a weight such as from a squirrel is placed on any of the exterior components such as shroud  40 , perches  58 , cover  90  or negative grip tube  102 , the shroud  40  will descend to a closed position to cover access to seed tray  12  as may be seen in  FIGS. 9 to 11 . 
         [0050]    Thus, as may be seen from the above, there is provided an effective squirrel proof feeder which is composed of a minimal number of parts and does not require guiding structures and the like. Accordingly, it becomes relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0051]    It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.