Abstract:
A bird feed having a user adjustable feed path mechanism adjusted by controlling the distance between the feeder and the receiving element for the feed. The invention can incorporate a cage to prevent the retrieval of food from squirrels when incorporated into a birdfeeder.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional No. 60/646,360 filed on Jan. 24, 2005 and U.S. Provisional No. 60/708,939 filed on Aug. 17, 2005 the contents of both are incorporated in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The hobby of bird watching is thousands of years old. Man has been feeding birds to attract them to get them to come close enough to watch. The placement of food outside presents problems with storage and handling. Sufficient quantities of food to feed the birds for an extended period requires methods of storage and presentation that will attract the birds and defeat unintended guests such as squirrels or other rodents.  
         [0003]     The method of defeating squirrels from feeding has been mainly with the use of cages that would deny the squirrels head entry into the feed opening. Unfortunately this would not prevent the squirrel from using its paws to claw out seeds from the food opening. The presence of squirrels scares away birds and the food reservoir of a feeder can be emptied in hours instead of weeks.  
         [0004]     The earlier feeders also had the problem of having a fixed seed opening diameter. This would allow quick dispensing of food regardless of size. The fixed opening gave little adjustability and can not prevent the larger species from feeding.  
         [0005]     The instant invention address the above mentioned problems and provides other benefits.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A first general aspect of the invention includes a feeder comprising: a food reservoir with a first opening configured for receiving feed and a second opening configured for dispensing feed; and a dispensing element configured to align with and positioned below said second opening thereby creating an annular opening to dispense feed.  
         [0007]     A second general aspect of the invention includes a feeder that comprises a food reservoir with a first opening configured for receiving feed and a second opening configured for dispensing feed; a dispensing element configured to align with and positioned below said second opening thereby creating an annular opening to dispense feed; and a height adjustment on said reservoir to control a distance between the second opening and the dispensing element, wherein said distance between said opening is user adjustable.  
         [0008]     A third general aspect of the invention is a device for dispensing feed comprising: a feed reservoir with at least one exit and having a first opening, wherein said first opening is user adjustable; a second feed reservoir, configured to receive feed from said first opening wherein said second seed reservoir includes a top opening; and an element configured to align with said at least one exit creating an annular opening from said reservoir to fill said second feed reservoir with food, and wherein said reservoir and said element are movable in relationship to each other thereby making said annular opening user-adjustable.  
         [0009]     A fourth general aspect of the invention is a bird feeder comprising: a first seed reservoir; a second seed reservoir in fluid communication with the first seed reservoir; a seed platform to position and receive the second seed reservoir beneath the first seed reservoir; and an animal barrier upon said seed platform, wherein said animal barrier includes a cage having openings sufficiently large in diameter to allow at least one species of bird to feed, but sufficiently small in diameter to prevent entry of a squirrel&#39;s head. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is top perspective view of the lower half of the bird feeder;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is top perspective view of the cover removed;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of bottom portion of an embodiment of a squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view of reservoir and dispensing element;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of reservoir and dispensing element;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is front elevation view of the element;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is front elevation view of the element;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is front elevation view of the element;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is front elevation view of the element;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top, perspective view of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a close up elevation view of lower portion of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a close-up view of dispensing element height setting indicia of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of an embodiemnt of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is a close-up, elevation view of lower portion of the reservoir of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is a sectional side view of interplay of handle ends, opening on housing, openings on reservoir side showing the creation of a user adjustable seed path opening;  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is a close-up, bottom view of secondary seed reservoir of an embodiment of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0029]      FIG. 20  is a close-up, top view of secondary seed reservoir of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0030]      FIG. 21  is a close-up, top perspective view of secondary seed reservoir of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0031]      FIG. 22  is a close-up, top perspective view of secondary seed reservoir of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0032]      FIG. 23  is a close-up, side elevation view of secondary seed reservoir of the squirrel-proof bird feeder having upward angled lip edges;  
         [0033]      FIG. 24  is a close-up, perspective view of seed reservoir of the squirrel-proof bird feeder;  
         [0034]      FIG. 25  is close-up, top perspective view of an embodiment of the primary and secondary seed reservoirs of the bird feeder without the cage;  
         [0035]      FIG. 26  is a close-up, side elevation view of the squirrel-proof bird feeder without the primary seed reservoir. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     The invention is a feeder that can effectively hold and dispense different size and types of food for automatic feeding of animals while selectively preventing other species. In one embodiment it is a squirrel-proof bird feeder to dispense bird seed. When used as a bird feeder it may be adjustable because bird seed comes in a variety of types. The seed used in feeders can either be one species/type of seed or a mix of seed types/species. Each type of seed has a size, shape, and diameter of the seed kernels. The present invention has an aspect that allows the user to adjust the discharge opening, or exit, so as to compensate for the particular size and type of feed or seed being dispensed from the feeder. In this manner, when the feeder is adequately adjusted, the feed does not dispense too quickly, nor too slowly, nor does the seed become clogged in the feeder.  
         [0037]     There are several ways to accomplish this adjustability aspect of the invention. Clearly, there are aspects of the invention that can be used throughout any of these embodiments, as well as, others (not shown).  
         [0038]     A squirrel-proof bird feeder in the present invention includes a seed reservoir with at least two openings; one for introducing seed to the reservoir; and, the second for exit, or egress, of the seed from the reservoir. Located adjacent to this second opening (i.e., exit) is a dispensing element. The dispensing element can take on a myriad of shapes, configurations, positions with the second opening. The dispensing element may be connected to, adjacent to, abut, be displaced from, touch, etc. to the second opening. However, the dispensing element and second opening are user adjustable, wherein either one of these parts (i.e, dispensing element and second opening), or both of these parts, are user adjustable in relationship to each other so as to define an egress path/avenue from the reservoir for the seed so that the path size/configuration/shape, etc. is adjustable depending on the particular type of seed/seed mix that is in the reservoir at that time.  
         [0039]     Further, the bird feeder may include a type of indicia that allows the user to determine what particular setting is suitable for the particular type of seed/seed mix that is in the reservoir. In this manner, a user can when using niger seed, for example, read the indicia in order to readily determine, with ease, what adjustments are required in order to set the dispensing element and second opening in suitable arrangement for niger seed.  
         [0040]     Now showing the various embodiments depicted in the various  FIGS. 1-26  shows various features and embodiments with  FIG. 1  showing a fully assembled squirrel-proof bird feeder. The feeder  100  includes a cover  50  through which is a handle  65  for hanging or attaching the feeder  100  to a structure (not shown). At either end of the handle  65  are ends  66  that interact with openings  68  (see e.g.,  FIG. 15 ) to allow the use of indicia  60  such as pictographs relating to specific species of birds or seed types (see e.g.,  FIG. 15 ) for one to use when adjusting the feeder or adding more feed.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows the feeder  100  with the cover  50  and reservoir, or main seed reservoir,  10  removed for clarity purposes. Remaining is a cage system  55  and housing  56  that are sized properly to receive the reservoir  10 . The housing  56  also serves a function of keeping the rain and other precipitation from getting on any seed that has been dispensed to a seed platform  25 . Further shown in  FIG. 4  is a view down into the center of the cage system  55  wherein at the base are the seed platform  25  and dispensing element  20  in the center thereof. Note that in any embodiment that the seed platform  25  with dispensing element  20  can be removable from the feeder  100  so as to facilitate the cleaning of the platform  25  of any debris.  
         [0042]     The cage system  55  is sized and configured so as to prevent any squirrel from reaching the seed on the seed platform  25 , thereby rendering the feeder  100  squirrel-proof The cage system  55  can further be sized and configured so that, if desired, large birds (e.g., crows, ravens, and the like) are prevented from gaining access to the seed platform  25 .  
         [0043]     The reservoir  10  includes a first opening  11  for placing seed in the reservoir  10 . At the lower end of the reservoir  10  is a second opening  12  from which the seed is dispensed, or exits. Thus, by gravity, the seed goes from the reservoir  10  out the opening  12  to either a seed or feeding platform  25  or directly to the bird&#39;s beak. The shape of the inside of the reservoir  10  or second opening  80  may include a frustro-conical lower section thereby preventing any seed from staying or getting stuck within the reservoir  10 . The seed (feeding) platform  25  includes a dispensing element  20  that can be a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. The dispensing element  20  interacts with, and is adjacent to, the second opening  12 , thereby effectively creating, or defining, a seed “path”  15 . The seed path  15  is then in fluid communication between the first reservoir  10  and the second reservoir as the food flows by gravity feed. When either the bird or other intended animal eats seed and clears at least a portion of the seed path  15  of food then additional food flows from the reservoir  10  to replenish the supply.  
         [0044]     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the reservoir  10  is adjustable in the vertical direction (see directional arrow “T”). In this manner the reservoir  10  can be lowered, or raised, in relationship to the dispensing element  20 . As a result the size and width of the seed path  15  created between the opening  12  and the dispensing element  20  is user-adjustable. Thus, the path opening  15  can be changed to suit the particular seed, or seed mixture, that is placed in the reservoir  10 . For example, if a large seed, such as striped sunflower seed, is used in the reservoir  10 , a larger path  15  would be desirable. Thus, the reservoir  10  would be raised to enlarge the path  15 . Contrastingly, if thistle seed is used in the reservoir  10 , a smaller path  15  would be required. The reservoir  10 , in this case, would be lowered in order to diminish the size of the path  15 .  
         [0045]     Note that while the embodiment shown depicts a dispensing element  20  that is conical in shape, other shapes and configurations of dispensing elements  20  may be used. For example, the element  20  may be frustro-conical, or a right cylinder. The shape of the dispensing element  20  in other embodiments is hemispherical and other shapes and configurations too can be used wherein they match or correspond to the shape and size of the lower opening  12 .  
         [0046]     Only some examples of other configurations of dispensing elements  20  are depicted in  FIGS. 7-10 . In  FIG. 7 , the dispensing element  70  is integrated with the platform  25 . That is, the platform  25  may be solid, or semi-solid, so that a portion of the platform  25  can act as the dispensing element  70 , thereby effecting the opening  12  so as to create the seed path  15 . Meanwhile,  FIGS. 8 and 9  show an element  71  or  72  that is a right cylinder or rhombus. As can be seen by the phantom lines in  FIG. 10 , the element  73  in this embodiment partially enters into the lower opening  12  thereby creating an annular opening for the path  15 . Note however, the element  71  shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein the element  71 , in this embodiment also is a cylinder, need not project into or within the reservoir  10  proper. That is the elements  20  or  71 - 73  may be adjacent to and/or abuts to the opening  12 . Finally,  FIG. 10  depicts an embodiment wherein the size of the path  15  is still user-adjustable, while the dispensing element  73  is hemispherical in shape. With a hemispherical element  73 , a variety of sizes are possible. The bottom width of the element  73  can be in the range of approximately 1″ to 2″ in width. Further, the height of the element  73  can be in the range of approximately ½″ to 1″ in height.  
         [0047]     Clearly, the element  20  or  70 - 73  can be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations to suitably make a seed path  15 . Similarly, the adjustability of either the reservoir  10 , the element  20 , or both is shown by the motion arrows “T”. Suitable widths for the opening  12  are in the range from approximately ¾″ to 1½″.  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows a top view down into the reservoir  10  wherein the interplay between the dispensing element  20  and the second opening  12  creates the seed path  15 , in this case an annular opening.  
         [0049]     Note that the adjustment of the seed path  15  size may be caused by either the movement of the reservoir  10 , the dispensing element  20 , or both in relationship to the other.  
         [0050]     A plurality of openings  68  are extending longitudinally along the side of the reservoir  10  are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Alongside the openings  68  are indicia to indicate which opening  68  corresponds with a particular seed, or seed mix, type. Further on the extending through the housing  56  are openings therethrough. Thus, by aligning the ends  66  of the handle  65  through both the openings in the housing  56  and the desired indicia opening  68  the handle ends  66  can fix the height of the reservoir  10  in relationship to the dispensing element  20  below. By doing this, the user can adjust and fix the reservoir  10  in relationship to the dispensing element  20  to as to obtain a particular desired seed path  15 .  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 15  is a plurality of detents  90 ,  91 ,  92  and  93  that corresponds to ball and spring  42  that allows movement of the height of the seed path  15  without using the handle ends  66  that are attached to cage  56  only instead of the reservoir. Also shown is the optional indicia showing either size of opening or type of seed. The handle  65  and its ends  66  are then relocated to another portion such as the housing  56  and then there would be no interaction involving the seed path. There are many equivalent methods known to one skilled in the art to adjust the distance between the two bodies (housing and element) to change the seed path  15 . There could be notches or receiving portions between the body and the housing to allow the height to be changed and then the two bodies rotated with respect to each other to maintain the displace of the seed path  15 .  
         [0052]     Another embodiment of the squirrel proof reservoir is shown assembled in  FIG. 16 . In  FIG. 17  the primary seed reservoir is shown removed from the lower housing of  FIG. 16 . The primary seed reservoir has a lower downward facing cone to prevent unintended moisture from dripping onto either the secondary seed reservoir or onto the dispensing element to maximize the life of the seeds.  
         [0053]      FIG. 18  shows a sectional view of the interplay when the handle end  66  is used to control the seed path separation. For example, in  FIG. 18  the ends  66  are placed through the openings in the housing  56 , and in its current setup, through openings  68 C on the reservoir  10 . The other openings  68 A,  68 B, and  68 D are available to allow vertical adjustment of the reservoir  10  and the second opening  12 . This, in turn allows for adjustability of the particular seed path  15  desired that is created between the juxtaposition of the second opening  12  and the dispensing element  20  or elements  70 - 73 .  
         [0054]     Clearly other methods and ways to obtain indicia and to fix the second opening  12  to dispensing element  20  at a predetermined configuration are available within this invention. For example, a ball and detent system could be used in lieu of discrete openings as shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0055]     Further shown in  FIG. 14 , for example, are additional extensions  72  which can provide for hooking of suet, and the like.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 19 through 26  depict various views of another embodiment of the bird feeder  100  having a second reservoir  30 . This embodiment of feeder  100  in addition to the main seed reservoir  10  includes a secondary seed reservoir  30  in lieu of only a seed platform  25 .  
         [0057]     The secondary seed reservoir  30  may be fixed, or removably attached, to the feeder base. The secondary seed reservoir  30  may also able to rotate if a squirrel is attempting to remove seeds with their paws to further prevent seed removal. For example, as the view in  FIG. 19  shows, the bottom side of the secondary seed reservoir  30  may include a alignment pin  42  that may be received in a hole in the base of the feeder  100 . This assists in allowing the user to remove the secondary seed reservoir  30  for periodic cleaning. Also the pin  42  may allow the secondary seed reservoir  30  to rotate.  
         [0058]     As the various figures show, the secondary seed reservoir  30  receives the seed from the above located main seed reservoir  10 . Once the seed leaves the second opening  12  and goes through the seed path opening  15  created by the dispensing element  20 , the seed deposits on the seed platform  25  within the secondary seed reservoir  30 .  
         [0059]     The secondary seed reservoir  30  includes the seed platform  25  that is typically on the bottom of the reservoir  30  and a vertical element, or wall,  27  surrounding the seed platform  25 . At the top of the wall  27  is a lip  28 , or other suitable horizontal element that aids in preventing any errant seed from escaping the reservoir  30 .  
         [0060]     The lip  28 , in particular, assists as a further preventative element in disallowing any squirrels, or similar rodents, from reaching within the caging  55  (see e.g.,  FIG. 21-25  with flat lip  28 ) with their paws and grabbing/pulling/pushing, etc. the seed out of the reservoir  30 . The lip  28  may include a horizontal, angled, or other suitable surface to prevent the seed from leaving the reservoir  30 . The upward angled lip  28  is shown in  FIG. 26  that is even more effective for preventing scraping of seeds from the reservoir  30 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 26  displays another embodiment of the second seed reservoir  30  designed to further prevent squirrels, or similar rodents, from gaining access to the seed located on the seed platform  25 , or within the second seed reservoir  30 . The embodiment includes a structure, or cage,  32  operatively attached to either the wall  27  or the lip  28  of the second seed reservoir  30 . The cage  32  may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material suited for the intended purpose. The cage  32  includes a plurality of concentric circles  33  that may decrease in diameter as their height above the lip  28  increases, with the smallest circle being large enough to accommodate the main seed reservoir  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). The cage  32  also includes at least one connecting element  35  that intersects each individual circle, and serves to support the plurality of concentric circles  33 . Additional connecting elements  35  may be used such that the cage  32  forms a grid over the second seed reservoir  30 . The slope of each connecting element  35  that results from intersecting the plurality of circles  33  as they decrease in size as height above the lip  28  increases may be in the range of approximately  0  to  45  degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the slope of each connecting element  35  is approximately  30  degrees. Furthermore, the plurality of concentric circles  33  may be situated such that each individual circle is approximately ⅝ of an inch to ¾ of an inch apart. This configuration is ideal for preventing a squirrel, or other such rodent, from being able to place their head within the reservoir  30  in order to obtain the seeds therein.  
         [0062]     There are various means that the reservoir  30  may be attached to the feeder  100 , or portions thereof. One such means, is shown, in particular, in  FIG. 25 . The bottom end of the main seed reservoir  10  includes an opening extension  13  at the second opening  12 . The opening extension  13  mates with an extension  29  (see. e.g,  FIGS. 20-22 ) on the upper portion of the secondary seed reservoir  30 . In this manner, (see  FIG. 25 ), both the main seed reservoir  10  and secondary seed reservoir  30  are joined. Thus, seed (not shown) leaves the main seed reservoir  10  and exits the second opening  12 . The seed then passes through the seed path/opening  15  (see.  FIG. 21 ) that is created between the dispensing element  20  and the collar, or extension  29  opening.  
         [0063]     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide the scope of the coverage of the invention and should not be limited to the specific examples provided herein.