Patent Publication Number: US-2017354124-A1

Title: Bird Screen

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/499,428 filed on Sep. 29, 2014 the entire disclosure and contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/883,243 filed on Sep. 27, 2013 the entire disclosure and contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     People enjoy placing birdfeeders in their yards because they enjoy the relaxation associated with watching birds feeding at their feeders. A vast array of different bird species can be seen in a short amount of time. However, there is a problem with birdfeeders, namely, sometimes the birdseed or bird food dispensed from the bird feeder ends up on the lawn. This spilled birdseed attracts squirrels, rats, mice, raccoons, and other varmints. Another problem associated with bird feeders is animals getting into the bird feeders and causing havoc and destroying the birdfeeder. 
     Thus, there is a need for a birdfeeder that provides birds with food and is sturdy, and at the same time does not allow the birdseed to end up on the ground yet allows people to enjoy watching birds feeding at their bird feeders. 
     SUMMARY 
     A bird screen for feeding birds is provided. The bird screen includes a bird feeder assembly and a pipe support assembly. The pipe support assembly is for supporting and elevating the bird feeder assembly above the surrounding ground such that the birdseed is accessible to birds while at the same time it is inaccessible to varmints. 
     The pipe assembly has a ground spike that is driven into the ground. The ground spike has a ground spike opening and the ground spike defines a ground spike interior. The pipe assembly further includes a first support pipe having opposed first and second first support pipe ends and wherein the second support pipe end is disposed in the ground spike interior and the first support pipe end is exposed. The first support pipe has an internal diameter, and the pipe assembly includes a second support pipe having an external diameter that is less than the internal diameter of the first support pipe. A portion of the second support pipe is fitted in the first support and joined to the first support pipe. 
     The pipe assembly further includes a locking collar that is fitted around the second support pipe and held in place such that it is spaced from first support pipe end and the exposed end of the second support pipe. The bird feeder is adapted to fit on the second support pipe such that the bird feeder assembly is supported on the locking collar. 
     The bird feeder assembly includes a frame having opposed first and second support members that are connected to opposed third and fourth support members and includes a pair of parallel first and second cross support members that are connected to each of the third and fourth support members, and includes a pair of parallel first and second internal cross member that are each connected to the second cross support member and the first support member; and includes a pair of parallel third and fourth internal cross members that are each is connected to the second support member and the second cross support member. 
     The frame further includes a central support block that is supported by and connected to the first and second cross support members, and the central support block defines a central block opening having a diameter greater than the diameter of the second support pipe such that the second support pipe is capable of passing through and extending beyond the central support block is supported by the locking collar. The frame also has first, second, third and fourth support posts that are mounted on the frame, such that the first and second support posts are connected to the first support member and the third and fourth support posts are connected to the second support member. A screen having a screen opening is mounted on the frame and a bird feeder cover having a cover opening is disposed on the screen. A bird feeder having a bird feeder recess is provided and fitted on the second support post such that the second support post extends through the screen opening and bird feeder cover opening and into the bird feeder recess. 
     The bird feeder assembly further includes opposed first and second feeder sidewalls and opposed third and fourth feeder sidewalls that are connected with at least one hinge to the opposed first and second support members and the opposed third and fourth support member of the frame, and each of the feeder sidewalls is movable between up and down positions. When in the up position the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls are held in place with thumb screws that extend through the first, second, third and fourth support posts of the frame. When feeder sidewalls are in the down position the bird feeder may be filled with birdseed or it may be cleaned. 
     In other preferred embodiments only one, two or three of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls are connected to the frame with hinges. In these embodiments any of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls that are not connected to the opposed first and second support members and opposed third and fourth support members of the frame with hinges are connected to the support posts and opposed first and second support members and opposed third and fourth support members it abuts and held in place with fasteners such as nails or bolts or screws. 
     Any birdseed falling out of the bird feeder lands on the bird feeder cover for the birds to eat, or can be cleaned by the property owner and put back in the birdfeeder. Thus, a minimal amount of birdseed ends up on the ground and varmints never have an opportunity to access or eat the birdfeed. 
     In another preferred embodiment the first and second support posts are part of the first feeder sidewall that is hinged to the frame, and the third and fourth side posts are part of the second feeder sidewall that is hinged to the frame. 
     In another preferred embodiment shields are provided and connected to the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls. 
     The first, second, third and fourth feed sidewalls may be made of clear plastic. The clear plastic may be Plexiglas® in one of the preferred embodiments, and Plexiglas® is a registered trademark of Arkema France corporation, 420 rue d&#39;Estienne D&#39;Orves, 92700 Colombes, France. 
     In another embodiment the bird screen also includes a barrier assembly having first and second wrap around barrier walls, and first and second barrier plates. Each of the first and second wrap around barrier walls, and each of the first and second barrier plates is adjustable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a bird screen showing a bird feeder assembly and a pipe support assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the bird screen wherein a first feeder sidewall of the bird feeder assembly is in a down position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a ground spike. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the ground spike. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a pipe support assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a frame of the bird feeder assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a second support pipe extending through a central support block. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the second support pipe extending through the central support block taken along line Y-Y of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the frame of the bird feeder assembly showing a plurality of support posts that are joined to the frame support. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the frame of the bird feeder assembly showing a portion of the pipe support assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the frame of the bird feeder assembly showing a portion of the pipe support assembly and a bird feeder cover. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the frame of the bird feeder assembly showing a bird feeder supported on the bird feeder cover and a screen. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of a first feeder sidewall in a down position. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the first feeder sidewall taken along line T-T of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the third feeder sidewall in a down position in an embodiment wherein the second and third support posts are joined to the third feeder sidewall. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a thumb bolt. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a thumb bolt holding a first feeder sidewall in an up position. 
         FIG. 17A  is a top view of the frame wherein thumb bolts are shown holding first, second, third and fourth sidewalls in an up position. 
         FIG. 17B  depict a support post have first and second thumb screw openings. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the bird screen showing a bird feeder assembly and a pipe support assembly along with a shield assembly. 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the shield assembly. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of another embodiment showing a barrier assembly wherein the other components of the bird screen are absent. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing a portion of the barrier assembly. 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of a first wrap around barrier wall. 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of a second wrap around barrier wall. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of a first barrier plate. 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of a second barrier plate. 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the first barrier plate. 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the second barrier plate. 
         FIG. 28  is a top view of a stamped blank. 
         FIG. 29  is a front view of the first wrap around barrier wall. 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the frame and the first and second barrier plates mounted thereon. 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the first barrier plate mounted on the frame. 
         FIGS. 31 a -31 c    show views of a barrier support plate. 
         FIG. 32  is a front view showing the bird screen having a barrier assembly wherein a first wrap around barrier wall is shown. 
         FIG. 33  is a side view of the first wrap around barrier wall is mounted to the first feeder sidewall. 
         FIG. 33 a    is a front view of the first feeder sidewall having a mounting panel. 
         FIG. 34  is a top view of the frame with the first and a second wrap around barrier wall mounted thereon. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is a bird screen  10  that includes both a bird feeder assembly  12  and a pipe support assembly  14 , such that the pipe assembly  14  supports the bird feeder assembly  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the pipe support assembly  14  includes a ground spike  16  having a spike portion  17  and a flange  19  that defines a flange opening  27 . The flange  19  is joined to the spike portion  17  with, for example a weld. The ground spike  16  also defines a ground spike opening  18 , such that the flange opening  27  extends to the ground spike opening  18 . The ground spike opening  18  leads to a ground spike interior  20  defined in the spike portion  17 . The flange opening  27  is rectangular shaped in one of the preferred embodiments, and can be circular shaped in other preferred embodiments. The ground spike  16  has a tip  22  for insertion into the ground  100 . In one of the preferred embodiments the ground spike  16  is made of metal, but in other preferred embodiments it can be made of plastic, fiberglass and combinations thereof. In addition, the spike portion  17  has a cylindrical portion  26  that extends to and merges with a tapered portion  23 , and the tapered portion  23  extends to the tip  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 , the pipe support assembly  14  also includes a first support pipe  30  that is moved though the flange opening  27  and the ground spike opening  18 , such that the a portion of the first support pipe  30  is disposed in the ground spike interior  20 . The ground spike  16  supports the first support pipe  30 . The first support pipe  30  may be held in place by the force of gravity or may be joined to the ground spike  16  with, for example a weld. The first support pipe  30  has opposed first and second first support pipe ends  35   a ,  35   b , and the first support pipe end  35   a  is exposed while the second support pipe end  35  is disposed in the ground spike interior  20 . Extending from the first support pipe  30  is a second support pipe  32  and a portion of the second support pipe  32  is fitted in the first support pipe  30 . This is possible because the external diameter of the second support pipe  32  is less than the internal diameter of the first support pipe  30 . The second support pipe  32  also has an exposed end  36 . The first and second support pipes  30 ,  32  may be joined together with, for example, a support pipe weld  33 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a locking collar  34  surrounds the second support pipe  32  and is fixed in place such that it is spaced away from the first support pipe end  35   a  and the exposed end  36  of the second support pipe  32 . The locking collar  34  is for providing support and may fixed in place with a compression fit or a weld or by other suitable methods. A support pipe washer  38  is provided and is moved over and around the exposed end  36  of the second support pipe  32  such that it surrounds the second support pipe  32 . As shown in  FIG. 5  the support pipe washer  38  is supported on the locking collar  34  and is unable to move past the locking collar  34 . The pipe support assembly  14 , and in particular the support pipe washer  38  supports the load imposed by the bird feeder assembly  12 . 
     It is pointed out that the pipe support assembly  14  described above is self supporting, that is, it stands on its own and supports the load of the bird feeder assembly  12 , such that the bird screen  10  requires no additional or external support structures to maintain it in a vertical position relative to the ground  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-12  the bird feeder assembly  12  includes a frame  40 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 6  the frame  40  that has opposed first and second support members  42 ,  44  and opposed third and fourth support members  46 ,  48 . The first and second support members  42 ,  44  are each connected to the opposed third and fourth support member  46 ,  48  with fasteners, for example, bolts, screws or nails commonly designated  49 , such the frame  40  has a rectangular shape or a square shape. It is pointed out that for the sake of clarity only some of the fasteners  49  are shown in  FIG. 6 , and the use and placement of fasteners  49  to hold a frame together is well known to one having one having ordinary skill in the art. The frame  40  has opposed first and second opposed first and second frame sides  67 ,  68  (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). 
     The frame  40  further includes a pair of parallel first and second cross support members  50 ,  52 , and each of the first and second cross support members  50 ,  52  is joined or connected to each of the third and fourth support members  46 ,  48  with fasteners  49 , for example nails or bolts. 
     The frame  40  also includes a pair of parallel first and second internal cross member  54 ,  56  that are each connected to the second cross support member  50  and the first support member  42 . There is also a pair of parallel third and fourth internal cross members  58 ,  60  that are each is connected to the second support member  44  and the second cross support member  52 . 
     The frame also includes a central support block  62  is supported by the first and second cross support members  50 ,  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 6-8  the central support block  62  defines a central block opening  64  that is sized to accommodate the second support pipe  32  therein, such that the second support pipe  32  is capable of passing through and extending beyond the central support block  62  until the support pipe washer  38  abuts against the second frame side  68 , and in particular the central support block  62 . The central support block  62  has opposed first and second central support block sides  63   a ,  63   b .  FIGS. 7 and 8  show the second support pipe  32  positioned in the central block opening and show the central support block  62  supported on the support pipe washer  38 . The locking collar  34  supports the support pipe washer  38 . In one of the preferred embodiments the above-described frame support  40  is made of wood and held in place with fasteners  49 , and in other preferred embodiments may be made of plastics, metals and combinations of all these materials. 
     It is pointed out that the frame may be made of wood, plastic, metals and combinations thereof and may be formed as a one piece body. 
     As he best shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 8 , the support pipe washer  38  and locking collar  34  are sized so that they are incapable of passing through the central block opening  64 . This thus allows the support pipe washer  38  to support the load imposed on it from the bird feeder assembly  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , the frame  40  further includes first, second, third and fourth support posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  that are mounted on the frame and extend in a direction away from the first frame side  67 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first and second support posts  70 ,  72  are connected or mounted on the first support member  42 , and the third and fourth support posts  74 ,  76  are connected to or mounted on the second support member  44 . The connections may be with fasteners  49 , for example screws, bolts, nails or other suitable fasteners  49 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , extending from each of the first, second, third and fourth support posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  are perches, commonly designated  78  for birds. As shown in  FIG. 10  the second support pipe  32  extends through the central block opening  64 , and as shown in  FIG. 11  there is a bird feeder cover  80  that defines a bird feeder cover opening  82 . The bird feeder cover opening  82  is sized such that the second support pipe  32  is capable of passing through the bird feeder cover  80 . The bird feeder cover  80  is for providing a surface for supporting spilled birdseed  81 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 12 , there is a screen  88  that is supported on and connected to the first frame side  67  of the frame  40 . It is pointed out that the screen extends under the bird feeder cover  80  such that it is sandwiched between the frame  40  and the bird feeder cover  80 . In addition, the screen  88  defines a screen opening  89  such that the second support pipe  32  is capable of passing through the screen  88 .  FIG. 12  also shows a bird feeder  90  supported on the bird feeder cover  80 . In particular, a portion of the second support pipe  32  extends into a bird feeder pipe recess  92  defined in the bird feeder  90 . In one of the preferred embodiments the bird feeder pipe recess  92  is defined by a bird feeder pipe  93  that has an internal diameter greater than the diameter of the second support pipe  32 , such that the second support pipe  32  can be received therein. The second support pipe  32  holds the bird feeder  90  in place and the bird feeder  90  can be manually lifted on and off the second support pipe  32 . The bird feeder  90  can be filled with birdseed  81  and any excess birdseed  81  will fall on the bird feeder cover  80  and not on the ground  100 . The screen  88  allows the birds a place to walk and keeps animals, for example squirrels from accessing the birdseed  81 . The screen  88  is embodied has heavy gauge wire mesh with small openings in one of the preferred embodiments, such that animals are unable to through the openings in the screen  88  nor are they able to bite or scratch their way through the screen  88 . The screen  88  may also be made of hard durable plastic materials, fiberglass and combinations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 13-14 and 17A , there are hinges, commonly designated  120 , and the hinges  120  are connected to the frame  40  with fasteners  49 , for example screws. In particular, at least one hinge  120  is connected to the opposed first and second support members  42 ,  44  and the opposed third and fourth support members  46 ,  48  of the frame  40 . The at least one hinge  120  numbers three in one of the preferred embodiments. In one of the preferred embodiments, the hinges  120  are also connected to opposed first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 13 ), and opposed third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   c  and  110   d  ( FIG. 13 ), such that the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  can be moved on the hinges  120 . In particular, the hinges  120  connect the first support member  42  to the first feeder sidewall  110   a , and hinges  120  connect the second support member  44  to the second feeder sidewall  110   b , and the hinges  120  connect the third support member  46  to the third feeder sidewall  110   c , and the hinges  120  connect the fourth support member  48  to the fourth feeder sidewall  110   d  in one of the preferred embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first feeder sidewall  110   a  is in an up position  124 , and as shown in  FIG. 2  the first feeder sidewall  110   a  has been moved to a down position  122 , with the arrow designated A showing the movement of the first feeder sidewall  110   a  to the down position  122 . The second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  may be moved in an identical manner between up and down positions  124 ,  122 , and each of the opposed third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   c ,  110   d  and opposed first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a  and  110   b  are substantially structurally the identical in one of the preferred embodiments.  FIG. 2  also shows the second feeder sidewall  110   b  in the up position  124 . The arrows designated B in  FIGS. 2 and 13  indicate the movement of the first feeder sidewall  110   a  to the up position  124 . It is pointed out the down position  122  allows a user access, such that bird seed may be added to the bird feeder  90  or for cleaning the bird feeder assembly  12 . 
     The first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  are substantially structurally the same in one of the preferred embodiments, thus only the structure of the first feeder sidewall  110   a  is described in detail herein. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the first feeder sidewall  110   a  also includes a wall sheet  132  that is made of a durable and stiff plastic in other preferred embodiments, and in other preferred embodiments is made of wood, clear plastic, metal, Plexiglas®, or may be made of dark materials. As best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , first and second hinge strips  130   a  and  130   b  are disposed on opposed interior and exterior sheet sides  133 ,  135  of the wall sheet  132  along a hinged edge portion  131  of the wall sheet  132 . The hinges  120  are connected to the first feeder sidewall  110   a  with fasteners  139 , such as screws or bolts, that extend through the first and second hinge strips  130   a ,  130   b  and the wall sheet  132 , thus securing the first and second hinge strips  130   a ,  130   b  to the wall sheet  132 . The hinges  120  are also connected to the first support member  42  of the frame  40  thus allowing the first feeder sidewall  110  to swing relative to the frame  40 . The first and second hinge strips  130   a  and  130   b  are made of metal in one of the preferred embodiments, but may also be made of plastic, fiberglass and other suitable materials. 
     The wall sheet  132  also has opposed interior and exterior wall sheet sides  133 ,  135 . The wall sheet  132  supports interior and exterior panels  134   a ,  134   b  ( FIG. 14 ) that are supported on the interior and exterior wall sheet sides  133 ,  135 , respectively. Fasteners  49  such as bolts and screws may be used to connect the interior and exterior panels  134   a ,  134   b  to the wall sheet  132 , and in another preferred embodiment a waterproof adhesive may be used. The wall sheet  132  also has an edge member portion  143 . A first edge member  138  is connected to the interior wall sheet side  133  along the edge member portions  143 , and an opposed second edge member  144  is connected to the exterior wall sheet side  135  along the edge member portion  143 , and bolts, screws and waterproof adhesives may be used for connecting purposed. A bead of silicone  136  extends along the joint where the wall sheet  132  and the interior panel  134   b  meet. 
     The wall sheet  132  also supports a pair of latch couplers  140  that define latch openings  142 , and the latch openings  142  extend through the latch couplers  140 .  FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the first feeder sidewall  110   a  taken along line T-T of  FIG. 13 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a thumb screw  150  is shown having a threaded portion  152  and a head portion  154 . There is also a nut  156  threaded to the threaded portion  152 . Surrounding the threaded portion  152  is a coil spring  158 . As the nut  156  is tightened the coil spring  158  compresses (as indicated by arrow E) and as it is loosened the coil spring  158  expands (as indicated by arrow D). As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 17-17B , the first and second posts  70 ,  72  each has a first thumb screw opening  160 , and the threaded portion  152  of the thumb screw  150  extends through the thumb screw opening  160 . A post washer  164  abuts against the first post  70  and the threaded portion  152  of the thumb screw  150  extends through the post washer  164 . The other previously described third and fourth posts  74 ,  76  also have first thumb screw openings  160 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  the first post  70  also has a second thumb screw opening  161  that does meet or cross the first thumb screw opening  161 . The other previously described second, third and fourth posts  72 ,  74 ,  76  also have second thumb screw openings  161 . The second thumb screw opening  161  is perpendicular to the first thumb screw opening  160 . The second thumb screw openings  161  are called for because each of the first, second, third and fourth posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  secures in place two feeder sidewalls when the feeder sidewalls are in the up position  124 , thus each of the first, second, third and fourth posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  supports two thumb screws  150 . In particular and as shown in  FIG. 17A , the first post  70  is utilized to hold the first and third feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   c  in the up position  124  by use of two of the thumbscrews  150 , the second post  72  is utilized to hold the first and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   d  in the up position  124  by use of two of the thumbscrews  150 , the third post  74  is utilized to hold the second and third feeder sidewalls  110   b ,  110   c  in the up position  124  by use of two of the thumbscrews  150 , and the fourth post  76  it utilized to hold the second and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   b ,  110   d  in the up position  124  by use of two of the thumbscrews  150 . 
     Each of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  can be raised and locked in place by moving the head portions  154  of the thumb screws  150  through the latch openings  142  defined in the latch couplers  140 , then rotating the head portion  154  ninety degrees such that it cannot pass through the latch opening  142 . The degree to which the sidewalls first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  force against the first second and fourth posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the above-described nuts  156 . It is pointed out that the latch couplers  140  mounted on the third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   c ,  110   d  such that they are offset relative to the latch couplers  140  mounted on the first and second feed sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b , such that there is clearance for the thumb screws  150 . 
     It is pointed out that the bird screen  10  can be variously embodied and that not all of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  need be movable between the up and down positions  124 ,  122 . That is, the bird screen  10  can be embodied such that only the above-described first feeder sidewall  110   a  is movable on the hinges  120 , while the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  are fixed in place with fasteners  49 . For example, the second feeder sidewall  110   b  may be connected to the third and fourth support posts  74 ,  76  and connected to the second support member  44  of the frame  40  with fasteners  49  such that it is not moveable and no hinges  120  are present. The third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   c  and  110   d  may be fixed in place in a like manner. Or, the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  may be movable on hinges  120  as described above, while the third feeder sidewall  110   c  is connected to the first and third support posts  70 ,  74  and the third support member  46  of the frame  40 , and the fourth feed sidewall  110   d  is connected to the second and forth support posts  72 ,  76  and the fourth support member  48  of the frame  40 . Thus, the bird screen  10  may be embodied such one or more of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  is movable between the up and down positions  124 ,  122 . 
     In another preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 15  the first, second, third and fourth support posts  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  are connected to feeder sidewalls and are movable with the sidewalls. That is, the first feeder sidewall  110   a  is connected to and supports the first and second support posts  70 ,  72  and the opposed second feeder sidewall  110   b  is connected to and supports the third and fourth support posts  74 ,  76 . In this embodiment the first and second support posts  70 ,  72  and third and fourth support posts  74 ,  76  are connected to the sheets  132  with screws and move with the third feeder sidewall to which they are connected. In this embodiment, it is to be understood that although not show, the second feed sidewall  110   b  is structurally the same as the first feed sidewall  110   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , in one of the preferred embodiments there is shield assembly  200  that is formed of plastic, for example clear Plexiglas® in one of the preferred embodiments. There are first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 . The first shield  202  is connected to the first feeder sidewall  110   a , the second  204  is connected to the second feeder sidewall  110   b , the third shield  206  is connected to the third feeder sidewall  110   c , and the fourth shield  208  is connected to the fourth feeder sidewall  110   d . Each of the first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  is also supported on pair of support brackets  210  that are connected to each of the first, second, third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d , or the support brackets  210  may be supported by the first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  in another preferred embodiment. There may be more than two support brackets  210 . The first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  move with their respective feeder sidewalls when the sidewalls are raised and lowered as described above. It is pointed out because the first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  flare outwardly as they extend from the frame  40 , thus not all of the shields can be lowered at the same time as they would interfere with one another, but opposed shields may be moved at the same time. The first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  are for preventing animals from gaining access to the birdseed and shedding water. The first, second, third and fourth shields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be described as having a trapezoidal shape. 
     In another preferred embodiment the bird screen  10  also includes a barrier assembly  300 . In this embodiment the above-described first feeder sidewall  110   a  is connected with hinges  120  to the first support member  42 , and the opposed second feeder sidewall  110   b  is connected with hinges  120  to the second support member  44  (see  FIG. 13 ). However, in this embodiment the third and fourth feeder sidewalls  110   c ,  110   d  are not hinged, but rather are connected and secured to the third and fourth support members  46 ,  48 , respectively, such that they remain in a fixed position. Thus, only the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a  and  110   b  are hinged to first and second support members  42 ,  44 , respectively, of the frame  40 . 
       FIG. 20  shows the barrier assembly  300  that includes first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 , and first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  and shows the arrangement of these components.  FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing a portion of the barrier assembly  300 . The remainder bird screen  10  components are not shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  for the sake of clarity.  FIG. 26  is a top view of the first barrier plate  314  and  FIG. 27  is a top view of the second barrier plate  316 . The first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  are substantially structurally identical and shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , and the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  are substantially structurally identical and shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . The first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  and the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  may be made of aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, and other metals and metal alloys and other suitable materials. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , 5he first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  they are planar and have each has a rectangular shape and the first barrier plate  314  defines first and second edge cutouts  315   a ,  315   b , and the second barrier plate  316  defines first and second edge cutouts  317   a ,  317   b , and these provide for clearance for the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  as they are raised and lowered. 
     The first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  may be formed from a sheet of aluminum or other metal. As shown in  FIG. 28 , there is a stamped metal blank  318  having first and second fold lines  320 ,  322 , and third and fourth fold lines  324 ,  326 . The stamped metal blank  318  is folded along the first and second fold line  320 ,  322  as indicated by the arrows designated L and N. Similarly, the stamped metal blank  318  is folded along the third and fourth fold lines  324 ,  326  as indicated by the arrows designated M and  0 . When folding is complete the first wrap around barrier wall  310  has thus been formed.  FIG. 30  is a front view of the first wrap around barrier wall  310  after folding. It is pointed our that stamping metal and aluminum blanks and folding blanks is well know to those having ordinary skill in the art and is therefore not described in greater detail herein. The second wrap around barrier wall  312  is formed from a stamped aluminum blank  318  in the same manner and is structurally identical to the first wrap around barrier wall  310 . In other embodiments the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  may be formed from plastic, fiber glass and other metals and metal alloys and may be formed from molding processes.  FIG. 29  shows a front view of the first wrap around barrier wall  310 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 29 , the first wrap around barrier wall  310  thus has a central portion  330  from which extend first and second end portions  332 ,  334 , and first and second tab portions  336 ,  338  extend from the first and second end portions  332 ,  334 , respectively. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 23  the second barrier wall  312  thus has a central portion  340  from which extend first and second end portions  342 ,  344 , and first and second tab portions  346 ,  348  extend from the first and second end portions  342 ,  344 , respectively. It is pointed out that the first and second end portions  332 ,  334 ,  342 ,  344  of the first and second wrap around wall barriers  310 ,  312 , respectively, have a generally triangular shape as shown. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  are supported on the opposed third and fourth support members  46 ,  48 , respectively, of the frame  40 . In particular, barrier hinges, commonly designated by reference number  350 , are mounted so as to connect the third support member  46  and the first barrier plate  314 , and barrier hinges  350  are used to connect the fourth support member  48  and the second barrier plate  316 . Screws or other fasteners  49  may be used secure the barrier hinges  350  to the frame  40  and first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316 , 
     In addition, the pitch of the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  relative to the frame  40  can be adjusted as shown in  FIG. 31 . There are provided turnbuckle mounts, commonly designated by reference number  360 , that are mounted on the third and fourth support members  46 ,  48 , and there are barrier turnbuckle mounts  362  mounted on the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316 . Turnbuckles  364  are connected to the turnbuckle mounts  360  and the barrier turnbuckle mounts  362  with, for example, turnbuckle pins  363 . By rotating the turnbuckle  364  clockwise or counter clockwise (in the directions of the arrows designated G and H) the pitch angle, designated PA in  FIG. 31  that the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  make relative to the frame  40  can be adjusted by the user. And, at the same time the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  can be raised and lowed as indicated by the arrows designated J and K as they rotate on the barrier hinges  350 . It is to be understood that there may be more than one turnbuckle  364  and more than one barrier hinge  350  utilized in connection with each of the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316 . It is also to be understood that only the first barrier plate  314  is shown, and barrier hinges  350 , turnbuckle mounts  360 , barrier turnbuckle mounts  362 , turnbuckle pins  363  and turnbuckles  364  are also utilized in connection with the second barrier plate  316  such that it can be adjusted relative to the frame  40 . Turnbuckles and the use, operation and construction thereof and mounting and securing turnbuckles is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and therefore will not be described in greater detail herein. As shown in  FIGS. 31 a -31 c    in one embodiment and to facilitate the mounting of the barrier hinges  350  and turnbuckle mounts  360 , a barrier support plate  361  is provided that has extending from it a portion of the barrier hinge  350  and the turnbuckle mount  360 . Barrier hinge openings  367  are defined in the support plate  361  such that it can be secured to the frame  40  with fasteners  49 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 32-34 , mounted on the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  are the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . The first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  have mounting panels commonly designated  355  (best shown in  FIG. 33 a   ) that are used for supporting the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . The mounting panels  355  of the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  have mounted thereon barrier hinges  350  and turnbuckle mounts  360  as shown in  FIG. 33 a   , so as to be able to connect to the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . The barrier hinges  350  are mounted so as to connect the first support member  42  of the frame  40  and the first wrap around barrier wall  310 , and barrier hinges  350  are used to connect the second support member  48  of the frame  40  and the second wrap around barrier wall  312 , thus securing the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  to the mounting panels  355  of the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b , respectively. The mounting panels  355  are aluminum in one embodiment and extend to a Plexiglas® sheet or plastic sheet  357 . Thus the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  have mounting panels  355  and plastic sheets  357  in this embodiment. 
     In addition, the pitch of the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  relative to the frame  40  and relative to the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  can be adjusted as shown in  FIG. 33 . There are provided turnbuckle mounts  360  that are mounted on the mounting panels  355  of the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b , and there are barrier turnbuckle mounts  362  mounted on the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . Turnbuckles  364  are connected to the turnbuckle mounts  360  and the barrier turnbuckle mounts  362 , and by rotating the turnbuckle  364  clockwise or counter clockwise (in the directions of the arrows designated G and H) the pitch angle, designated PA in  FIG. 33 , that the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  make relative to the frame  40  and relative to the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  can be adjusted by the user. At the same time the first and second barrier walls  310 ,  312  can be raised and lowed as indicated by the arrows designated J and K as the turnbuckle  364  rotates. It is to be understood that there may be more than one turnbuckle  364  utilized in connection with each of the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . It is also to be understood that only the first wrap around barrier walls  310  is shown, but the second wrap around barrier wall  312  utilizes the identical components as those described above such that it can be adjusted in the same manner. 
     In use, the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  are raised and lowered in the manner described above on the hinges  120 . The raising and lowing process also raises and lowers the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 . In this manner the user can gain access to the bird feeder  90 . In addition, the above described first and second edge cutouts  315   a ,  315   b , defined in the first barrier plate  314 , and the first and second edge cutouts  317   a ,  317   b  defined in the second barrier plate  316  provide for clearance for the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  as they are raised and lowered. Thus, as the first and second feeder sidewalls  110   a ,  110   b  are raised the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  will not contact the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316 . In addition, the first and second tab portions  336 ,  338  of the first wrap around barrier wall  310  overlap the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  (as shown in  FIG. 20 ). Similarly, the first and second tab portions  346 ,  348  of the second wrap around barrier wall  312  overlap the first and wrap around second barrier plates  314 ,  316 . This provides for complete coverage to prevent animals from gaining access to the bird feeder  90 , and this also serves to cover and serves to eliminate any sharp edges that the barrier assembly  300  might have that might otherwise injure the user, for example while the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  are raised an lowered. In addition, each of the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312 , and the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  extend outwardly due to the use of the turnbuckles  364 . The turnbuckles  364  also allow the first and second wrap around barrier walls  310 ,  312  and the first and second barrier plates  314 ,  316  to all be adjustable relative to one another such that virtually and desired configuration of these components can be achieved by the user. Thus, due to its construction and capabilities the barrier assembly makes it substantially impossible for an animal (not shown) to crawl up the pipe assembly  14  and gain access to the bird feeder  90 . 
     In another embodiment, a second screen  88   a  is mounted on the second frame side  68  as shown in  FIG. 30 , and the second screen  88   a  may be in the form of wire mesh made of metal or plastic. 
     In another embodiment there is an edge plate  380  that is supported on and extends from the frame in a direction away from pipe support assembly  14  (see  FIG. 34 ) that serves as a wall to prevent birdseed from falling out of the bird screen  10 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the a bird screen  10  has been described in detail herein, the invention is not necessarily so limited and other examples, embodiments, uses, modifications, and departures from the embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications may be made without departing from the bird screen  10  and all such embodiments are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.