Abstract:
The nectar bird feeder, which has improved stabilization, includes a base with a bottom surface, a central portion, and a trough-shaped reservoir positioned about the central portion for containing nectar therein. A hanger is connected to the central portion of the base and extends upwardly therefrom. An extension stabilizing member is connected to the base and downwardly depends therefrom, such as from the bottom surface of the base. An annular-shaped cover, having a top surface and lower edges, is releasably attached to the base and co-extensive with the trough of the base with an aperture therein. The center of gravity of the feeder, with the stabilizing member, is located below the bottom surface of the base for improved stabilization thereof during filling and use of the feeder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to animal feeders and, in particular, bird feeders. More specifically, the present invention relates to bird feeders of the nectar feed type, such as hummingbird, oriole and butterfly bird feeders and methods of stabilizing and filling such feeders.  
         [0002]     Nectar bird feeders are available in three basic designs. The basin or saucer-type feeder is exemplified in the Kilham U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,527, the basin bottle is exemplified by the Williams U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,589, and the tube bottle feeder is exemplified by the Fowler U.S. Pat. Number 3,125,069. The tube bottle has certain disadvantages as it is hard to clean, tends to drip in warm weather and is messy to refill, particularly if it is not completely empty. The basin bottle holds more liquid than a straight basin feeder but it too drips due to the downward pressure of the nectar and if jarred by the wind or larger birds. Also, basin bottle feeders are also very messy to refill.  
         [0003]     The basin feeder is a vast improvement and as it holds the nectar out of reach of most insects and larger birds, is much easier to clean than other types of nectar feeders and does not leak. It is sometimes thought that its small capacity is a disadvantage because of its typical capacity in the range of 8-16 ounces. However, less nectar in the feeder can be an advantage because the possibility of dangerous nectar fermentation and mold formation after a couple of days is reduced thereby preventing harm to butterflies, hummingbirds and orioles.  
         [0004]     In view of the foregoing, the basin type feeder has many advantages over other types of feeders. However, the saucer shape has a larger surface area than other nectar feeders because it must also hold the nectar therein. As a result, the basin feeder is more likely to move about from the effects of weather, particularly, wind. This can cause the nectar to spill and splash out of the feed ports causing undesirable results. This instability is also possible when the feeder is being filled outside in certain weather conditions.  
         [0005]     Further details of a prior art basin type feeder is shown and described below in connection with  FIG. 1 . A typical prior art basin nectar feeder  10  includes a saucer-shaped base  12  that includes flat bottom surface  14  that serves as a floor for a reservoir trough  16  that is typically annular-shaped. A hanger  18  is typically connected, which can be removably connected, to a center area  20  in the middle of the ring-shaped reservoir  16 . A cover  22  includes a center aperture  24  so that it can be easily placed over the hanger  18  into releasable engagement with the top open end  26  of the reservoir trough  16  of the base  12 . Typically, the cover  22  is frictionally engaged with the base  12  so it can be easily removed when desired.  
         [0006]     The cover  22  includes a number of feed ports  28  about the periphery thereof to permit a bird, such as a hummingbird, to access the nectar feed  30  therethrough. The feed ports  28  are commonly configured to appear as flowers and the cover  22  is typically of different colors depending on which type of birds are to be attracted to the feeder  10 . Such configuration can be modified to attract different types of birds, as desired.  
         [0007]     As can be understood, when the nectar  30  within the feeder  10  has been consumed, it must be re-filled so that more birds can feed. In accordance with the prior art feeder  10  of  FIG. 1 , the feeder  10  must be first placed on a support surface  32  with the flat bottom surface  14  of the base  12  in communication with the support surface  32 , which can be a table, for example. The cover  22  is then typically removed from the base  12  and routed over the hanger  18  to reveal the annular-shaped nectar feed trough  16 . The hanger  18  can be removed before removal of the cover  22 , if desired. Further details of the prior art feeder  10  of  FIG. 1  need not be provided as this construction is well-know in the art.  
         [0008]     Once the nectar feed trough  16  is exposed, nectar feed  30  can be poured therein in the amount desired, all while the base  12  of the feeder is lying flat on a support surface  32 . When the feed trough  16  is preferably filled, the cover  22  is attached back onto the base  12 . The cover  22  is routed over the hanger  18  if the hanger  18  was left connected to the base  12  or attached directly to the base  12  after which the hanger  18  can be re-attached. The entire feeder  10  can now be hung from a tree or post (not shown) via the hook  18   a.    
         [0009]     Prior art basin type nectar bird feeders  10  can be easily filled because the bottom surface  14  of the base  12  is substantially flat which enables it to be placed level on a support surface  32 . However, as stated above, the flat saucer shape of the feeder of  FIG. 1  acts as a wind foil and can easily become unstable during windy weather or when numerous birds are feeding at the same time.  
         [0010]     Also, the feeder  10  can be filled while it is hanging from a support. The cover  22  can be removed and then the nectar can be poured into the base  102 . However, wind and other environmental conditions can de-stabilize the feeder  10  during the filling process.  
         [0011]     Therefore, the prior art basin type nectar feeders, while they are highly desirable for their cleanliness compared to other types of feeders and are attractive in appearance, they suffer from the disadvantages of being unstable in certain conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a basin type nectar bird feeder that is extremely stable, even during adverse weather conditions. There is further need for a basin type nectar bird feeder that is stable during filling with little or no mess. There is yet a further need for a basin type nectar bird feeder that the stabilizing member can also be ornamental to improve the overall performance, appearance and enjoyment of the feeder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art bird feeders and structures and configurations used to stabilize them. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available feeders and stabilization structures and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available feeders and stabilization configurations.  
         [0013]     The invention is generally directed to a novel and unique basin nectar bird feeder that has improved stabilization over prior art basin feeders.  
         [0014]     The basin nectar bird feeder, which has improved stabilization, includes a base with a bottom surface, a central portion, and a trough-shaped reservoir positioned about the central portion for containing nectar therein. A hanger is connected to the central portion of the base and extends upwardly therefrom. An extension stabilizing member is connected to the base and downwardly depends therefrom, such as from the bottom surface of the base. An annular-shaped cover, having a top surface and lower edges, is releasably attached to the base and co-extensive with the trough of the base with an aperture therein. The center of gravity of the feeder, with the stabilizing member, is located below the bottom surface of the base for improved stabilization thereof during filling and use of the feeder.  
         [0015]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is more stable than prior art basin nectar bird feeders.  
         [0016]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is stable during filling.  
         [0017]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is stable during feeding.  
         [0018]     It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is less susceptible to spilling in adverse weather conditions than prior art basin nectar bird feeders.  
         [0019]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is more stabile during filling to reduce mess and cleanup and to facilitate such filling.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a prior art basin nectar feeder;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a basin nectar bird feeder of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the basin nectar bird feeder of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the basin nectar feeder of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the feeder of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the feeder of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a first alternative embodiment of the basin nectar bird feeder in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is second alternative embodiment of the basin nectar bird feeder in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is third alternative embodiment of the basin nectar bird feeder in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is fourth alternative embodiment of the basin nectar bird feeder in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     In  FIGS. 2-6 , the bird feeder  100  of the present invention is shown. The feeder  100  includes a base  102  with a hanger  104  detachably connected to a central region  106  thereof. For example, the hanger  104  can be threadably secured to the base  102 . The base  102  includes a top open end  108  to form an annular-shaped trough  110 , as best seen in  FIGS. 7-9 , for containing nectar feed  112 .  
         [0032]     A cover  114  is releasably secured to the base  102  at its top open end  108  to cover the trough  110  and protect the nectar feed  112  contained therein. A number of feed ports  116  are provided through the cover  114  to permit access to the nectar feed by the appropriate birds, such as hummingbird, orioles and butterflies, for example. The feed ports  116  are preferably configured to appear as flowers, or other structures, to further attract birds to the feeder  100 . Further, the cover  114  can be of different colors, such as red, to attract the desired type of bird. As can be understood, the feed ports  116  are positioned over the nectar trough  110  so that feeding birds are aligned thereover for optimum access to the nectar  112  therein.  
         [0033]     The feeder  100  of  FIGS. 2-6  is unique in that, unlike the prior art feeder of  FIG. 1 , the bottom surface, generally referred to as  118 , of the base  102  includes, for example, a downwardly depending structure, generally referred to as  120 , and, optionally, a sloped portion  122 . The downwardly depending structure  120  is a stabilizing member in accordance with the present invention. The stabilizing member  120  can also be decorated so it may serve as an ornamental member to provide additional aesthetic appeal of the feeder  100  while it is stabilizing the feeder.  
         [0034]     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the stabilizing member  120  member serves as an additional centering weight below the bottom surface  118  of the feeder  100  to lower the overall center of gravity of the enter feeder to make it more stable in adverse weather, such as windy conditions, for example. Also, the lower center of gravity makes the overall handling of the feeder more stable, such as during filling of the feeder.  
         [0035]     More specifically, the stabilizing member  120  provides a downward force as represented by arrow referenced as D, as seen in  FIG. 4 , which lowers the center of gravity and makes the overall length of the feeder longer, from hook portion  104   a  of the hanger  104  to the bottom of the stabilizing member, thereby making the moment arm formed from support member  105 , which could be a support post, longer thereby requiring more force to rock the feeder laterally left and right as indicated by arrows referenced as L and R.  
         [0036]     The lower center of gravity of the feeder  100  helps to prevent the liquid nectar from undesirably splashing around inside the feeder  100 . The member  120  can serve a dual purpose and be aesthetically appealing as well. Furthermore, the bottom surface  118  of the base can be contoured, with sloped side walls  118 , to add further aesthetic appeal to the feeder  100 . In general, this unique feeder  100  of the present invention includes a base  102  that is equipped with a stabilizing weight member  120 .  
         [0037]     The stabilizing member  120 , in  FIG. 4 , preferably has the ornamental appearance of a finial-like member with appealing contours thereon. The weight of the stabilizing member  120 , regardless of its ornamentality, provides the desired stabilizing affect. For example, the stabilizing member preferably weighs in the range of 5 to 32 ounces but could be lower or higher depending on the size and configuration of the feeder  100 . The stabilizing member can be made of any heavy material, such as metals including brass, aluminum and steel. The finial style configuration of the stabilizing member  120  of the feeder  100  of  FIGS. 2-6  is just one of many different configurations that can be employed in accordance with the present invention. Many different types of ornamental configurations can be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , alternative embodiments of the present invention is shown. In  FIG. 7 , the stabilizing member  220  is provided in the configuration of a disk that could be made of metal, for example. The disk  220  is relatively low profile yet still provides the added weight below the bottom surface  118  of the base to improve stabilization of the feeder  100 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows a feeder  100  that is equipped with a stabilization member  320  that is in the shape of a sphere. Again, the weighting provided below the feeder adds stabilization yet provides an attractive appearance to the feeder  100 .  
         [0040]     Still further,  FIG. 9  shows an elongated stabilization member  420  in the form of a elongated rod. In this case, the elongation of the stabilization member  420  further lowers the center of gravity well below the bottom surface  118  of the base  102  to require even more lateral force to cause the feeder  100  to move about and disruption of the nectar  112  inside. The cross-section and size of the elongated stabilization member  420  can be adjusted to suit the size and configuration of the feeder  100  at hand.  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the feeder  100  is equipped with a stabilization member, generally referred to as  520 , that depends far below the bottom surface  118  of the base  102  of the feeder  100 . The stabilization member  520  includes a long downwardly depending member  522  which could be wire, string or a rigid or flexible rod that terminates with a weighting member  524  connected thereto. The weighting member  524  is shown as spherical but it could be of any aesthetic configuration. Thus, the center of gravity of the feeder  100  is effectively lowered well below the bottom surface  118  of the base of the feeder to stabilize it.  
         [0042]     The stabilization members  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420  and  520  of the respective embodiments can also help stabilize the feeder during filling thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the cover  114  is separated from the base  102 . The cover  102  can be routed over the hanger  104  if the hanger  104  is optionally left attached to the center portion  106  of the base  102 . The hanger  104  includes a hook portion  104   a  for attachment to a tree, post or the like, as referred to as  105  in  FIG. 4 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the width of the hanger  104 , which is largest at its hook  104   a , is less than the diameter D of the aperture  124  in the cover  114  to permit the cover  114  to be easily removed without first detaching the hanger  104 . However, the hanger  104  may be detached first, if desired. For example, the hanger  104  may be threadably connected to the center portion  106  of the base  102 .  
         [0043]     After the cover  114  is removed from the base  102 , the feeder  100  may be left hanging from support  105  with the cover  114  routed upwardly over the support  105 . The empty base  102  with nectar trough  110  is now exposed so that nectar can be poured therein. During the pouring process, the respective stabilization member  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420  or  520  assists in keeping the base stable during the filling process as it keeps the entire feeder more stable during use and feeding.  
         [0044]     The feeder  100  of the present invention can have many different types of configurations with different types of stabilizing members  120 . The feeder  100  itself is typically made of plastic but can be made of virtually any type of material. Further, the annular-shaped feeder  100  discussed herein is just one example of many configurations of feeders that can be accommodated by the method of filling of the present invention. For example, the center aperture  124  through the cover may be square instead of round. Also, the downwardly depending member  120  may be integrated into the molding of the base  102  or attached as a separate member.  
         [0045]     In general, the feeder  100  of the present invention includes an additional weighting member that acts as a stabilization member  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420  and  520  during filling and use of the feeder. As a result, the feeder  100  is more stable than prior art basin nectar feeders.  
         [0046]     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.