Abstract:
The present invention relates to a bird cage, more particularly a bird cage in which a perch is rotatably suspended from a ceiling of the bird cage. An alternate preferred embodiment provides for a perch rotatably supported between the ceiling and a floor member of the bird cage. The perch is constructed so that it will rotate about two perpendicular axes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This is a CIP of Application Ser. No. 09/802,572, filed Mar. 9, 2001, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,439, on Oct. 1, 2002. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to bird perch apparatuses and more particularly pertains to a new bird perch apparatus for providing birds with an aerial toy that encourages climbing and swinging. 
     The use of bird perch apparatuses is known in the prior art. More specifically, bird perch apparatuses heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,557; U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,936; U.S. Pat. No. 2,483,003; U.S. Pat. No. 1,180,595; U.S. Pat. No. 230,993; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 386,834. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new bird perch apparatus. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly is adapted to be coupled to a support structure. A support assembly is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly. A perch assembly is rotatably coupled to the support assembly such that the perch assembly is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. The perch assembly has a mounting portion is coupled to the support assembly. The perch assembly has a pair of annular rings that are diametrically coupled to the mounting portion such that each of the annular rings is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. 
     In these respects, the bird perch apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing birds with an aerial toy that encourages climbing and swinging. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bird perch apparatuses now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new bird perch apparatus construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing birds with an aerial toy that encourages climbing and swinging. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new bird perch apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bird perch apparatuses mentioned heretofore and many novel features that results in a new bird perch apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bird perch apparatuses, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a mounting assembly is adapted to be coupled to a support structure. A support assembly is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly. A perch assembly is rotatably coupled to the support assembly such that the perch assembly is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. The perch assembly has a mounting portion coupled to the support assembly. The perch assembly has a pair of annular rings that are diametrically coupled to the mounting portion such that each of the annular rings is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new bird perch apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bird perch apparatuses mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new bird perch apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bird perch apparatuses, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new bird perch apparatus, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new bird perch apparatus, which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such bird perch apparatus economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus for providing birds with an aerial toy that encourages climbing and swinging. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus which includes a mounting assembly is adapted to be coupled to a support structure. A support assembly is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly. A perch assembly is rotatably coupled to the support assembly such that the perch assembly is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. The perch assembly has a mounting portion is coupled to the support assembly. The perch assembly has a pair of annular rings that are diametrically coupled to the mounting portion such that each of the annular rings is adapted for permitting perching of the bird. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus that would be easy to mount inside the cage and would provide the bird with a new way to entertain itself. Watching the bird frolic on the unit would also be entertaining for the bird owner. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new bird perch apparatus that would be of durable construction and have additional attachments to further the birds&#39; exercise and entertainment. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new bird perch apparatus according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the present invention of an alternate preferred embodiment attached to the bird cage. 
     FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the present invention in an alternate preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the upper mounting plate of the present invention in an alternate preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 8B is a partial front elevational view of the upper mounting plate of the present invention in an alternate preferred embodiment attached to the frame. 
     FIG. 9A is a bottom plan view of the lower mounting plate of the present invention in an alternate preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 9B is a partial front elevational view of the lower mounting plate of the present invention in an alternate preferred embodiment attached to the frame. 
     FIG. 10 is a broken front elevational view of upper mounting plate and the lower support clamp attached to the cross bar of the present invention in a second alternate preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lower support clamp attached to the cross bar of the present invention in a second alternate preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lower support clamp attached to the cross bar of the present invention in a second alternate preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new bird perch apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the bird perch apparatus  10  generally includes a mounting assembly  12  that is adapted to be coupled to a support structure  14 . A support assembly  16  is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly  12 . A perch assembly  18  is rotatably coupled to the support assembly  16  such that the perch assembly  18  is adapted for permitting perching of the bird  20 . The perch assembly  18  has a mounting portion  22  is coupled to the support assembly  16 . The perch assembly  18  has a pair of annular rings  24  that are diametrically coupled to the mounting portion  22  such that each of the annular rings  24  is adapted for permitting perching of the bird  20 . 
     The mounting assembly  12  is adapted to be coupled to a cage. The mounting assembly  12  has an upper plate  26  and a lower plate  28  such that the upper plate  26  is adapted for being positioned outside of the cage and the lower plate  28  is adapted to be positioned inside of the cage proximate the upper plate  26 . The upper plate  26  and the lower plate  28  is adapted for compressing the cage between the upper plate  26  and the lower plate  28  when the upper plate  26  is coupled to the lower plate  28  by a plurality of fasteners  30 . (See FIG. 2) 
     The support assembly  16  has pair of sidebars  32 , a first support member  34  and a second support member  36 . The first support member  34  is coupled between a first end  38  of each of the sidebars  32 , the second support member  36  is coupled between a second end  40  of each of the sidebars  32 . The mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  is rotatably coupled to the second support member  36  whereby the perch assembly  18  is rotatable between the sidebars  32 . 
     A connecting bar  42  has a bore  44  such that the bore  44  of the connecting bar  42  received the first support member  34  whereby the connecting bar  42  is selectively positionable along a length of the first support member  34 . The connecting bar  42  is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly  12 . (See FIG. 2) 
     The first support member  34  is threaded, a pair of threaded connectors  46  is engaged to the first support member  34  such that each of the pair of threaded connectors  46  are positioned on opposite sides of the connecting bar  42 . The threaded connectors  46  are for maintaining the position of the connecting bar  42  relative to the first support member  34 . 
     A pair of adjustment assemblies  48  for engaging the second support member  36  such that each of the adjustment assemblies  48  are for engaging opposite sides of the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18 . The adjustment assemblies  48  are for producing tension against the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  for controlling resistance to rotation of the annular rings  24  of the perch assembly  18  around the second support member  36  when the bird  20  lands on one of the annular rings  24 . Each of the adjustment assemblies  48  includes a threaded coupler  52 , a biasing member  54  and a washer  56 . The washer  56  is positioned adjacent the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18 , the threaded coupler  52  is for threadably engaging the second support member  36  such that the biasing member  54  is positioned between the threaded coupler  52  and the washer  56 . The threaded coupler  52  is positionable closer to the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  such that the biasing member  54  compresses the washer  56  against the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  for increasing resistance to rotation. The threaded coupler  52  is positionable away from the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  such that the biasing member  54  reduces compression against the washer  56  for decreasing resistance to rotation. 
     The washer  56  includes a friction enhancing material  60  such that when compression between the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  and the washer  56  is increased the friction between the washer  56  and the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  is increased. 
     A plurality of elastic bands  62  is coupled to the support assembly  16  such that rotation of the perch assembly  18  with respect to the support assembly  16  facilitates winding of the elastic bands  62  between the perch assembly  18  and the support assembly  16 . The elastic bands  62  unwinding upon ceasing of rotation of the perch assembly  18  such that the elastic bands  62  facilitate reversal of rotation of the perch assembly  18  with respect to the support assembly  16 . 
     In an embodiment the present invention can be mounted to a support structure  14  for a bird  20  to perch upon, the bird perch apparatus; a mounting assembly  12  that is adapted to be coupled to a support structure  14 . A support assembly  16  is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly  12 . A perch assembly  18  is rotatably coupled to the support assembly  16  such that the perch assembly  18  is adapted for permitting perching of the bird  20 . The perch assembly  18  has a mounting portion  22  is coupled to the support assembly  16 . The perch assembly  18  has a pair of annular rings  24  that are diametrically coupled to the mounting portion  22  such that each of the annular rings  24  is adapted for permitting perching of the bird  20 . 
     The mounting assembly  12  includes a clasp portion  64  and a cord  66  such that the cord  66  is adapted for is coupled to a tree limb. The clasp portion  64  removably engages the cord  66  for permitting selective removal of the clasp portion  64  from the tree limb. 
     The support assembly  16  includes a support ring  68  and a support strap  70 . The support ring  68  is rotatably coupled to the mounting assembly  12 . The support strap  70  is extended through the support ring  68  such that each of a pair of opposing ends of the support strap  70  are coupled to diametrically opposed apertures of the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18 . The support ring  68  is for permitting rotation of the perch assembly  18  in respect to the mounting assembly  12 . 
     The support strap  70  has a first portion  72  and a second portion  74 . The first portion  72  is secured to the second portion  74  below the support ring  68  for preventing tipping of the perch assembly  18  when the bird  20  is perched upon the perch assembly  18 . 
     A feeding assembly  76  is suspended from the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18  such that the feeding assembly  76  is adapted for permitting the bird  20  to feed on birdseed. The feeding assembly  76  has a strap member  77  and a dish portion  78 . The strap member  77  is coupled to the mounting portion  22  of the perch assembly  18 . The strap member  77  is for suspending the dish portion  78  from being struck by the perch assembly  18  when another bird  20  lands upon the perch assembly, the dish portion  78  is adapted for holding bird seed. A perching member  79  is coupled between the dish portion  78  and the strap member  77  such that the perching member  79  is adapted for permitting the bird  20  to perch while eating birdseed from the dish portion  78 . 
     In use, a user would attach the unit with the vide mount to the roof of the bird&#39;s cage. When the bird jumps on the present invention, it would spin in a circle, enabling the bird to spin horizontally and vertically at the same time. 
     FIGS. 7A-12 illustrate an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicants novel bird cage and perch assembly  111 . Applicants&#39; novel bird cage  110 , in this preferred embodiment, provides a perch assembly  111  that may engage on top of a bird cage  110  and also either on the bottom of the bird cage  110  or, through struts or cross brace the sidewalls of a bird cage  110 . The function of engaging both the top and the bottom of a perch assembly  111  is so that it may rotate longitudinally on its axis A stabilized by engagement at two points-typically representing removed ends of a frame  112  of the perch assembly  111 . This may provide a more rigid and pleasant perch assembly  111  for the birds  20 . Features additional to the top and bottom engagement points of the perch assembly  111  are set forth in more detail below. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a bird cage  110  including a perch assembly  111 . The perch assembly  111  includes a frame  112  and means for mounting the frame along a longitudinal axis A thereof to the top of the bird cage  110  and neither bottom or sidewall of the bird cage  110 . Frame  112  of the perch assembly  111  includes opposed longitudinally trending side members  114  and  116  spaced apart and connected through upper member  118  and lower member  120 . The members comprising frame  112  may include longitudinal rods  114 A and  114 B comprising side member  114  and longitudinal rods  116 A and  116 B comprising side member  116 . In the embodiment using side members comprising a pair of longitudinal rods, the upper  118  and lower  120  members may likewise comprise extensions of the longitudinal rods of the side members  114 A&amp;B and  116 A&amp;B. Note also when longitudinal rods  114 A&amp;B and  116 A&amp;B are utilized to comprise frame  112  a multiplicity of cross pieces  117  may be provided to maintain the longitudinal rods  114 A&amp;B and  116 A&amp;B in space apart relation and, further more provide a convenient place for birds  20  to perch. 
     A horizontal support member  122  is seen to cross horizontally between side members  114  and  116 . The horizontal support member  122  typically engages a perch mount  138 , here illustrated with a pair of annular members including the first annular member  128  and a second annular member  130  spaced apart and rigidly joined by a mounting portion  132 , which mounting portion  132  rotatably engages horizontal support member  122  near the center thereof so that the perch mount  138  may rotate about the axis defined by the horizontal support member  122 . 
     Note that the two annular members  128  and  130  may rotatably engage mounting portion  132  to provide yet another axis of rotation, that is the rotation of the annular members  128  and  130  with respect to the mounting portion  132 . 
     The frame  112  includes upper vertical support member  126  and lower vertical support member  124 , the two vertical support members coincident with a longitudinal axis A of frame  112  in representing rejections up and down respectively from upper member  118  and lower member  120 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 8A and 8B it is seen that an upper mounting plate  136  with a hole or concavity or depression  136 A near a central portion thereof may engage the top of bird cage  110  and the frame  112  so as to allow the frame  112  to rotate along a longitudinal axis A while being fastened to the bird cage  110  at the top and the bottom of the frame  112 . Details of mounting plate  136 , typically made of metal which can be straight or bent. A straight mounting plate  136  may be used to mount the frame  112  to a bird cage  110  that has a flat roof. However, if the upper mounting plate  136  is made of metal it may be bent such as illustrated in FIG. 8B to conform to the top of a bird cage  110  that is not flat. In either case the upper mounting plate  136  may use fasteners or any other suitable means to engage it with the top of the bird cage  110 . Note that hole  136 A would have a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the upper vertical support member  126  so that the frame  112  may freely rotate. 
     Turning now to a means for rotatably mounting frame  112  of the perch assembly  111  to the bottom or the sidewalls of the bird cage  110 , attention is drawn to FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A illustrates a top view of a lower mounting plate  134  which has attachment slots or holes  134 B for accepting fasteners to attach the lower mounting plate  134  to the frame  112  of a bird cage  110 . Additionally, it is seen that in the central portion of the lower mounting plate  134  is a hole or depression or concavity  134 A. The lower mounting plate  134  is attached to the frame  112  such that the concavity  134 A will accept the lower vertical support member  124  which may be pointed or have a rounded end so that it may pivot with respect to the lower mounting plate  134 . 
     If the dimensions of the bird cage  110  is such that frame  112  is not located near or adjacent the bottom of the bird cage  110 , Applicant provides yet another preferred embodiment of the invention to allow frame  112  to connect to the lower vertical support member  124 . Instead of a lower mounting plate  134  attached to the floor of the bird cage  110 , a lower support clamp  142  which is attached to a cross bar  140  is provided. The cross bar  140  engages, at the removed ends thereof, the sidewalls of the bird cage  110  as illustrated in FIG.  10 . Further it is seen that lower support clamp  142  has a pair of legs  142 A and  142 B that allows it to slidably mount to the cross bar  140  so that it may be positioned beneath lower vertical support member  124 . Fastener  144  may be loosened to allow the legs  142 A and  142 B to open slightly and clamp to slide longitudinal along the cross bar  140 . Lower support clamp  142  has a hole or depression or concavity  142 C which will accept lower vertical support member  124  therein moreover the removed ends of cross bar  140  may be slotted with slots  140 A, the slots  140 A for receiving vertical members of the sidewalls of a bird cage  110  and fasteners  144  for engagement with the slotted ends to adjustably secure the cross bar  140  vertically at a preselected, position such that the upper vertical support member  126  engages the hole  136 A of the upper mounting plate  136  and the lower vertical support member  124  engages lower support clamp  142 .