Abstract:
A squirrel baffler wherein the baffler consists of a conical shaped sheet member supported by a bracket assembly which prevents a squirrel or other unwanted animal from climbing a pole or post supporting a bird house or feeder. The conical shaped sheet member may be disassembled and assembled around the pole by use of interlocking members running the length of the sheet member such that the user does not have to remove the bird feeder from the pole or remove the pole from the ground first.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Thousands of people have some type of bird house or bird feeder in their yards. Bird feeders not only provide birds with a readily available food source during the colder months, but also provide an enjoyable pastime for bird watchers. What is often a relaxing and enjoyable pastime, however, can often become frustrating when a squirrel eats the food from the bird feeder. First, squirrels can eat many times more food than birds. The result is that the owner of the bird feeder must more frequently refill the bird food in order to attract birds and ensure that the birds have a sufficient amount of food. Second, this frequent replacement of bird food can become costly and inconvenient for the owner of the bird feeder. Third, a squirrel eating from a bird feeder will usually scare off the birds, thus defeating the purpose of having the feeder in the lust place. Finally, a bind feeder is not normally meant to withstand the extra weight of a squirrel and may therefore become damaged or broken. 
     Attempts at keeping squirrels off of bird feeders have been deficient since squirrels are by nature extremely agile and cunning animals. Strategies have included altering the pole the bird feeder sits on so that it is slippery and thereby more difficult for squirrels to climb. Squirrels often are still able to overcome this obstacle, however, and reach the bird feeder. 
     Another strategy consists of altering the bird feeder itself. An example is a bird feeder which tilts if too much weight is placed on one side, thus causing the squirrel or other predator to fall off. While this type of feeder is sometimes successful in keeping squirrels off, it also prevents larger birds from feeding on it as well. 
     Some owners of bird feeders even resort to placing an additional feeder in their yards, hoping that the squirrels will eat from this feeder and leave the food in the bird feeder alone. Instead, the result is usually that the squirrel ends up getting an additional source of food. 
     Finally, by the time the owner of a new bird feeder realizes that a problem exists, it becomes costly and inconvenient to change the structure of the feeder in an attempt to solve the problem. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for an effective means of preventing squirrels and other predatory animals from eating the food from bird feeders which can be added to a new or existing feeding system. 
     Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is a provision of an improved squirrel baffler. 
     Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved squirrel baffler which is easy to install and convenient to use, even on existing structures. 
     A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved squirrel baffler which does not prevent birds from eating from the bird feeder. 
     A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved squirrel baffler which is economical to manufacture and durable. 
     These and other objectives will be apparent from the following description of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The squirrel baffler of the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional bird houses and feeders which are mounted on a pole or post. The squirrel baffler is generally conical in shape with a single seam extending longitudinally along its outer surface when assembled. The longitudinal seam is formed by two interlocking members substantially running the length of the baffler which are used to engage and disengage the baffler around a pole. The interlocking members provide a means for attaching and removing the baffler from the pole with ease. The baffler is constructed from a material having some elasticity so that the user can operatively seal or unseal the baffler by interlocking or uninterlocking the two opposing ends of the longitudinal seam. The baffler tests upon a bracket assembly upon which is placed on the pole prior to the installation of the baffler. The bracket assembly serves to maintain the height of the baffler on the pole. 
     In practice, the bracket is first positioned on the bird feeder pole and is held in place on the pole by friction, the force provided by bolts or other equivalent means. The bracket is next placed on the pole above the bracket so as to slide down the pole until it engages the bracket which prevents further downward movement. The bracket and thus the baffler is adjustable to any height on the pole by disengaging the friction producing bolts or other means on the bracket. The above installment procedure can be accomplished without removing the bird feeder from the pole or removing the pole from the ground first. Once installed, a squirrel who would normally climb the pole in order to reach the bird food in the feeder is prevented from reaching the feeder due to the presence of the baffler blocking its path along the pole. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an improved squirrel baffler in accordance with the present invention as it is attached to a pole or post beneath a bird feeder. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the improved squirrel baffler removed from the pole. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the squirrel baffler in its closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the squirrel baffler with longitudinal seam disengaged. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the interlocking members of the longitudinal seam taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly as positioned on the pole. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the pole and the surrounding bracket assembly taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the squirrel baffler showing the optional hanging assembly. 
     Figure is a perspective view of the squirrel baffler with an optional hanging assembly as seen in a store display. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The squirrel baffler of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral  10  as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The squirrel baffler  10  is generally conical in shape when assembled as in FIGS. 1 and 3 with the body  11  comprising a single piece and including an outer surface  12  and a inner surface  14 . When the squirrel baffler  10  is disassembled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the body  11  forms edges  15  and  16  vertically running the length of body  11 . Edges  15  and  16  terminate into interlocking members  18  and  20  respectively. Each interlocking member  18  and  20  runs the length of or substantially the length of edges  15  and  16  respectively. Each interlocking member  18  and  20  curves inwardly to form an open-ended channel  19  which provides the means for securably connecting the interlocking members  18  and  20  when the squirrel baffler  10  is assembled as shown in FIG.  5 . When connected, the open-ended channels  19  are biased, thus creating a force which provides a secure connection. When assembled, the interlocking members  18  and  20  join to form a longitudinal seam  17 . 
     The squirrel baffler  10  further includes a perimeter edge  22  which surrounds a pole or post  52  used to support a bird house or bird feeder  50  when the squirrel baffler  10  is installed, as best shown in FIG.  1 . The squirrel baffler  10  is held securely in place on pole  52  by bracket assembly  30 . 
     The bracket assembly  30  comprises a pair of substantially T-shaped cross bars  32  having center section  36  with legs  34  extending outwardly from center section  36  as shown in FIG.  7 . In a preferred embodiment, center section  36  is recessed to matingly engage pole  52 . Cross bars  32  are designed to receive a pair of nut and bolt assemblies each generally designated as  37  and each including a nut  38  and a bolt  39  or other connecting means to link T-shaped cross bars  32  so as to form a continuous means of support encircling pole  52  for squirrel baffler  10 . The present invention contemplates that other connecting means may be used to link T-shaped cross bars, such as rivets, nails, screws, etc. which may be readily ascertained by those of ordinary skill in the art. The legs  34  extend outwardly to form flaps  40  which further prevent squirrel baker  10  from sliding down pole  32 . In a preferred embodiment, flaps  40  gradually become wider to further extend outwardly from pole  52  so that they are generally rudder-shaped as best illustrated by FIG.  6 . 
     The squirrel baffler  10  may be constructed from a variety of materials, the only requirement being that the material be sturdy but flexible so that the user is able to bend the body  11  inwardly to connect interlocking members  18  and  20 . Such materials include plastic and metals having the required elasticity with the preferred material being metal. 
     The squirrel baffler  10  may optionally include a hanging assembly  60  useful for displaying squirrel baker  10 , such as on a rack (not shown). A hole  62  is placed in body  11  through the inner surface  14  and outer surface  12  of squirrel baffler  10 . A piece of leather, plastic, or other threadable material  63  is then threaded through hole  62 to form a continuous loop  64  , thus providing a means for hanging squirrel baffler  10  from a rack or other displaying means. The loop  64  may also be used to secure bracket assembly  30  to squirrel baffler  10  by threading material  63  through a portion of bracket assembly  30  to form a continuous loop  64 . In this manner, squirrel baffler  10  may then be displayed and sold in one interconnected piece. The user simply cuts loop  64  to free bracket assembly  30  prior to installing squirrel baffler  10 .  If hanging assembly  60  is placed on squirrel baffler  10 , the squirrel baffler  10  may also require a balancing piece  66  placed on the same side of body  11  as hole  62  to offset the material displaced by hole  62 . The only requirements of balancing piece  66  are that it be of a size sufficient and placed in such a manner such that squirrel baffler  10  is evenly balanced when placed on bracket assembly  30 . In a preferred embodiment, balancing piece  66  is oblong-shaped and is placed proximate to hole  62 . 
     Furthermore, the bracket assembly  30  may also be constructed of various materials, the only requirement being that the materials are sturdy enough to support the squirrel baffler  10  when placed on top of bracket assembly  30 . 
     Furthermore, other fastening devices besides a nut and bolt assembly  37  may be utilized in order to serve the purpose of connecting the T-shaped cross bars  32 . Such acceptable fastening devices are well known and readily ascertained by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     During the installation process, the user first connects the bracket assembly  30  to pole or post  52 . This is accomplished by placing each T-shaped cross bar  32  on either side of pole  52 . The nut and bolt assembly  37  or other fastening means is then connected to T-shaped cross bars  32  so that the bracket assembly  30  is frictionally attached to pole  52 . 
     Next, the user disassembles squirrel baffler  10  by squeezing interlocking means  18  and  20  inwardly so as to disengage open-ended channels  19 . The squirrel baffler  10  is then ready to be placed around pole  52  above bracket assembly  30 . The squirrel baffler  10  is reconnected by pushing edges  15  and  16  inwardly and sliding interlocking means  18  and  20  together so as to engage open-ended channels  19 . The squirrel baffler  10  is then slid into place downwardly on pole  52  so that it rests securely on top of bracket assembly  30 . 
     In practice, a squirrel  54  or other animal trying to reach the food in the bird house or bird feeder  50  will attempt to do so by climbing pole a post  52 . Squirrel baffler  10 , however, presents an obstruction in the path of the squirrel  54  on pole  52  so that it will be unable to climb the pole  52 , thus making it impossible for the squirrel  54  to reach the food in bird feeder or bird house  50 . 
     As previously mentioned, the squirrel baffler  10  is extremely convenient for the bird feeder owner to use since it may be installed without removing the bird feeder  50  from the pole  52  and without removing pole  52  from the ground first. Since the squirrel baffler  10  consists of very few pieces and may be made of relatively inexpensive materials, it is also easy and economical to manufacture. 
     The invention has been shown and described above in connection with the preferred embodiment, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended broad scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all the stated objectives.