Abstract:
A bird cage has at least one flush mounted door for the cage when door is opened; and an accessible feed receiver for the cage, which can be retrieved and serviced without reaching inside the cage. An arcuate perch permits access to the feed receiver.

Description:
This invention relates to a cage for an animal, and more particularly, to a cage for an animal, specifically birds, having doors which remain flush with the front of the cage when open, thereby preventing droppings and seeds from falling beyond the seed guard and a bird feeder for the cage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Pet owners, particularly pet owners with small animals, require a method of constraining their animals to a confined area so as to contain pet waste and food in domestic environments to particular locations. Pet cages are the most often used method for constraining the pet to the confined area. However, these devices commonly consist of an enclosure of bars. This allows the pet to spill waste or food in undesired areas. As a result, these cages often are equipped with waste guards protruding from the cage in order to prevent undesired spillage. 
   Furthermore, pet owners often desire a method of leaving food within a constrained area for the pet. As a result, the pet is normally fed by placing the food within a feed receiver. This enhances the owner&#39;s ability to maintain the hygiene of the cage by preventing waste and other contamination from coming into contact with the food. Additionally, these devices provide the pet owner with a trouble-free method of feeding the bird. These devices are often attached to the inside of the cage or through an opening through the use of a support mechanism. 
   One shortcoming of the prior art is the cage door design, which allows the front doors to extend beyond the waste guard. Pet owners regularly open the doors to the cage for cleaning, feeding, and pet entertainment. Particularly, pet owners regularly provide recreation by allowing access to the top of the cage. Very often pets, such as birds, cling to the open cage doors beyond the protruding waste guard consequently allowing food and pet waste to spill into undesired areas. This is a serious disadvantage of the prior art pet cage arrangements. 
   Moreover, the feed receiver designs often allowed the pet to remove the feed receiver from within the support mechanism. This would result in damage to the feed receiver and the necessity for a replacement. Consequently, prior art designs can result in unnecessary expenses to the pet owner. In addition, animals will often cling or sit above the feed receiver. This results in animal waste falling within and contaminating the feed receiver. 
   Furthermore, these feed receiver designs take up room within the cage. Consequently, there is a reduced amount of space to house the pet. Additionally, these designs often require that an individual reach within the cage in order to change and add contents to the feed receiver. This exposes the individual to physical harm from the pet especially individuals for which the pet is unfamiliar. These also are serious disadvantages of the prior art pet cage arrangements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a cage door design, which prevents the spill of pet waste into undesired areas. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a cage door design, in which no door of the cage extends beyond the waste guard when open. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention, is the provision doors, which are flush with the front of the cage when open. 
   As still further objective of this invention is the provision of a mechanism which maintains the doors flush when in the open position. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver, which cannot be removed by the pet. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver design, which prevents the contamination of the food contained within. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver design, which is external to the cage. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver design, which reduces the risk injuries from the pet. 
   Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver design, which provides access to the feed receiver from the exterior of the cage. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a feed receiver for a bird cage, which requires a reduced amount of room within the cage. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a bird cage with at least one flush mounted door for the cage when door is opened; and an accessible feed receiver for the cage, which can be retrieved and serviced without reaching inside the cage. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of the birdcage  100  with an exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a front, perspective view of the slide door assembly  148  for the birdcage  100  with an exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a rear, perspective view of the slide door assembly  148  for the birdcage  100  with an exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a front, plan view of the slide door assembly  148  for the birdcage  100 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top, plan view of the slide door assembly  148  for the birdcage  100  with an exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a bottom, plan view of the slide door assembly  148  for the birdcage  100  with an exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front, plan view of hinge door assembly  188  for the birdcage  100 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts an outer perspective view of exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an inner perspective view of exterior feeder  200 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a top plan view of clip opener  300  for hinge door assembly  188 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts a close-up, exploded top plan view of clip opener  300  for hinge door assembly  188 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a front plan view of latch opener  320  for hinge door assembly  188 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts a close-up, exploded top plan view of latch opener  320  for hinge door assembly  188 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts a top plan view of perch bar  340  mounted in bird cage  100 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts an end plan view of perch bar  340  mounted in bird cage  100 . 
       FIG. 16  depicts a top plan view of perch bar  340  as unmounted or free standing. 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the bird cage of this invention, any shape is suitable. While the bird cage has at least one door, that door opens slidably along the interior or the exterior of the bird cage. More preferably, the door includes two parts, which slide open exteriorly to the bird cage and in opposite directions. 
   By being substantially flush or parallel with the cage when opened, the door or doors of the cage do not provide a perch for the bird exterior to the bird cage. This controls waste and feed location better than other bird cages. Structure for the doors is easily adjusted to achieve the desired position. 
   Mounted on the exterior of the bird cage is at least one feeding housing. The feeding housing is slidably locked onto the bird cage. The feeding housing opens into the bird cage and contains a feed receiver for food. It may also contain a feed receiver for water. On the exterior of the bird cage and within the feeding housing, is a back access door. The back access door provides access to the floor of the feeding housing which contains at least one dish for food or water. 
   On that dish is a clamp ring which slidably locks into a rail support mounted into the housing. Such a locking mechanism prevents the bird from having an access or ability to move the dish. However, the rail permits removal thereof through the back access door as desired by the caretaker, for filling, cleaning or other suitable purpose. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , bird cage  100  of the invention, with any suitable shape, has at least one exterior feeder  200  mounted thereon. The door  120  is connected to a surface  124  of the bird cage  100  by at least one flush mounting mechanism  122 . The flush mounting mechanism  122  allows the door  120  to be positioned substantially parallel to the surface  124  of the bird cage  100  for both opening and closing the door  120 . 
   The bird cage  100  has a waste guard  126  protruding and surrounding the bottom periphery  128  of the bird cage  100  to prevent the pet (not shown) from spilling waste and food into undesired areas from the bird cage  100 . Furthermore, a grate  130  forms the floor  132  of the bird cage  100  allowing smaller material, such as waste, to pass through while containing larger objects. The small material passes through the grate  130  into a removable pan  134 , which is easily taken out and cleaned. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , rectangular bird cage  150  of the invention has at least one exterior feeder  200 . With a slide door assembly  148 , the front panel  152  of the rectangular bird cage  150  are preferably equal in size. 
   Within the front panel  152  are a first slidable door  154  and a second slidable door  156 . First slidable door  154  and second slidable door  156  are substantially centrally located in front panel  152 . Both first slidable door  154  and second slidable door  156  include mounting rods set in receiving slots. First slidable door  154  has first mounting rod  160  secured thereto and set in first receiving slot  164  on front panel  152 . Second slidable door  156  has second mounting rod  162  secured thereto and set in second receiving slot  166  on front panel  152 . 
   In contrast, the first outside section  170  and the second outside section  174  of the front panel  152  are secured to the top section  176  of the rectangular bird cage  150 . The first outside section  170  is also secured to the first side section  180 . Likewise, the second outside section  174  is secured to the second side section  182 . As the first outside section  170  and the second outside section  174  are oppositely disposed from each other, so are first side section  180  and second side section  182 . The rear section  184  is oppositely disposed from front panel  152 . 
   The rectangular cage  150  has a waste guard  126  protruding and surrounding the bottom periphery  128  of the cage  150  to prevent the pet from spilling waste and food into undesired areas around the rectangular cage  150 . Furthermore, a grate  130  forms the floor  132  of the cage  150  allowing smaller material, such as waste, to pass through while containing larger objects. The small material passes through the grate  130  into a removable pan  134 , which is easily taken out and cleaned. 
   Especially considering  FIG. 2 , the front panel  152  of the cage  150  is shown in a closed position with first slidable door  154  and second slidable door  156  adjacent to each other and secured thereto with door lock  194 . Friction holds first slidable door  154  and second slidable door  156  in an open position. 
   Alternatively considering  FIG. 7 , the front panel  152  includes hinge door assembly  188  and has first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198  are each mounted on two of hinges  102  which are capable of swinging a full 180 degrees, thus allowing the first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198  to open and remain flush with the front panel  152  when open, again minimizing the scattering of waste and food. 
   Furthermore, the two doors  196  and  198  are locked shut by two devices, the main latch  104 , and a safety latch  106 . These devices assure that the pet will remain safely within the confines of the cage  150  until the owner desires its removal. Thus, when opened first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198  lay flush against the outside sections of the front panel  152 , and consequently prevent the animal from clinging thereto and contaminating areas beyond the waste guard. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 , several affixing apparatus exist for maintaining the two doors  196  and  198  flush with the front panel  152 . As a first example, the hinges  102  may be precision hinges and thus utilize the force of friction to maintain door  196  and  198  flush. 
   Alternatively, with continuing reference to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the affixing apparatus may consist of an affixing clamp mechanism  300 . The affixing clamp mechanism  300  includes a metal post  302  and an affixing clamp  304 . A round head  306  is formed at the end of the metal post  302 . Either a metal post  302  or a affixing clamp  304  is connected to the outside edge of the front of doors  196  and  198  oppositely disposed from the hinges  102 . A antipodal affixing clamp member is then connected to the outermost edge of the front panel  152  juxtaposed to the side sections  180  and  182  along the same latitudinal line as the opposite antipodal member ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . When doors  196  and  198  are fully open, the round head  306  of the metal post  302  engages the affixing clamp  304  and thereby secures doors  196  and  198  in an open position. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , an alternative embodiment of the affixing apparatus is shown. This swivel affixing mechanism  320 , the side edge of doors  196  and  198  oppositely disposed from the hinges  102  contains a swivel  324 . A locking screw  326  is connected to edge of side sections  180  and  182  juxtaposed to the front panel  152 . The locking screw  326  extends outwardly and parallel to the front panel  152 . The end of the swivel  324  connected to the side edge of the doors  196  and  198  contains a rotating connection  322  along the same latitudinal line as the locking screw  326 . Thus when the doors are in fully open, the swivel  324  may be rotated thereby inserting the swivel notch  328  over the locking screw  326 . Consequently, the doors  196  and  198  are secured flush with the front panel. 
   As a result, the front door design is one of the distinct advantages of the invention. By maintaining the open doors flush with the cage, the pet has no area to cling beyond the waste guard therefore providing a solution to previous cage door designs. 
   Adding  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  to the consideration, an embodiment for the exterior feeder  200  for either cage  100  or  150  is shown. The exterior feeder  200  for this invention sits within a feeder opening  222 , which is preferably spaced away from the doors. The rear view of the exterior feeder  200  has feed receiver  224  sitting within a feeder floor  226 . 
   A first feeder side wall  230  and a second feeder side wall  232  extend upwardly from feeder floor  226  to a transparent top  236 . A back access door  238  provides access to the feed receiver  224 . The back access door  238  can be closed and locked with the feed receiver  224  present or without the feed receiver  224  present. In this embodiment, the exterior feeder  200  sits below a clamp ring  240 , which secures the feed receiver  224  within the exterior feeder  200 . 
   The clamp ring  240  is in turn affixed to first feeder side wall  230  and a second feeder side wall  232 , through the use of one or more rivets  242  or bolting mechanism  244 . Any securing mechanism may be used to affix the clamp ring  240  to the side walls. However, in this embodiment, the side walls and the clamp ring  240  are secured by placing at least one bolting mechanism  244  therethrough or through the rivets  242 . 
   Furthermore, the exterior feeder  200  includes several features for protecting both the pet owner and the pet. The back access door  238  swings open allowing access to the feed receiver or feed receiver  224  from the back, thereby permitting the pet owner access without having to reach inside the cage. The back access door may be secured by a back door lock  294  to ensure it remains closed until its desired removal. Furthermore, unlike many prior art designs, the back access door  238  can be relocked once the feed receiver  224  is removed. 
   In addition, the roof of the exterior feeder  200  has a transparent top  236  and a fixed solid hood  250 . The fixed solid hood  250  sits on top of the transparent top  236  and protects the contents of the feed receiver  224  therein from waste and other contaminants. The area of the transparent top  236  not covered by the fixed solid hood  250  provides the pet owner with the ability to see the contents of the feed receiver  224 . 
   Several tabs  262  are placed within the inside periphery of the clamp ring  240  in order to prevent the pet from dislodging the feed receiver  224  from the exterior feeder  200 . The tabs  262  next to the first feeder side wall  230  and a second feeder side wall  232  are placed just above one of the rivet  242  or bolting mechanism  244  thereby allowing the tabs  262  to withstand a greater amount of force from the pet. 
   Moreover, two mounting hooks  270  and two mounting brackets  274  are affixed to the front opening  276  of the exterior feeder  200  for securing the exterior feeder  200  to the cage  150 . The mounting hooks  270  are placed on the top corners  278  of the front of the exterior feeder  200 . The mounting brackets  274  are placed on the bottom corners  280  of the feed housing  220  such that the arm of the mounting brackets  274  rest on the cage  150 . 
   The mounting hooks are placed on top of the feeder opening  222  within a structure in the cage  150  such that the front open area of the exterior feeder  200  is exposed to the inside of the cage  150 . A securing mechanism, such as a clamp or screw, is placed within mounting bracket apertures  292  thereby securing the feeder receiver  224  to the cage  150 . Thus, the feeder receiver  224  may sit externally at any place on the surface of the cage  150  regardless of the position chosen for the feeder opening  222  ( FIG. 15 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , clip opener  300  for hinge door assembly  188  provides a convenient method or device for holding the first hinged door  196  and the second hinged door  198  in an open position. Clip opener  300  includes ball grip  302  mounted on front panel  152 . On first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198  is ball mount  304  having a latching member  306  to be received in ball grip  302 . Clip opener  300  serves to hold either first hinged door  196  or second hinged door  198  in an open position, and close to front panel  152 . In this fashion, a bird cannot sit on first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198 . The positions of the ball grip  302  and ball mount  304  are reversible, but the depicted manner is preferred. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , swivel affixing mechanism  320  for hinge door assembly  188  provides a convenient method or device for holding the first hinged door  196  and the second hinged door  198  in an open position. Latch opener  320  includes clip pin  322  mounted on front panel  152 . Around clip pin  322  rotates clip arm  324 . 
   On first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198  is clip mount  326 . Clip arm  324  includes an end slot  328  adapted to receive clip mount  326 . This structure serves to hold either first hinged door  196  or second hinged door  198  in an open position, and close to front panel  152 . In this fashion also, a bird cannot sit on first hinged door  196  and second hinged door  198 . The positions of the clip arm  324  and clip mount  326  are reversible, but the depicted manner is preferred. 
   More particularly, from  FIG. 13 , swivel affixing mechanism  320 , includes a cage side  330  and a door side  332 , to support swivel  324 . Swivel notch  328  hooks on the locking screw  326 , which is mounted on cage side  330  at swivel notch  328 . Rotating connection  322 , which holds swivel  324  on door side  332  permits this function, so that the bird cannot swing to undesirable position and stole food and waste outside a desired area. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , a perch bar  340  is mounted in bird cage  100  to provide easy access to each exterior feeder  200 . Perch bar  340  is an elongated, preferably cylindrical rod having a feeding arc  342  for each exterior feeder  200 . At each end of the perch bar  340  is a slotted bar grip  344  capable of frictionally or otherwise joining an opposing cage bar  346 . 
   Perch bar  340  has bends therein to form the required number of feeding arcs  342 , for each exterior feeder  200 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , it is possible to rotate the perch bar  340  for 180 degrees, in order to adjust the position of the feeding arc  342 . Such an adjustment facilitates feeding birds of different sizes. Feeding arcs  342  may also be reversed on the same perch bar  340 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
   Furthermore, the perch bar  340  may also compensate for the size of the bird by mounting the perch bar  340  on different bars of the cage  100 . Feeding arcs  342  may also be combined into one feeding arc  342 , and faced toward either the center of cage  100  or toward exterior feeder  200 . Such positioning also adjusts for the size of the bird. 
   This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.