Abstract:
A modular pole system for birding includes different modules to allow the birder to custom design their birding pole to include a variety of birding accessories such as bird feeders, bird houses, artificial and natural perches and bird baths. The modules include (i) pole modules to secure the modular pole system to the ground and/or increase the overall length of the modular pole system, (ii) attachment modules to removably attach accessories to the pole modules, and (iii) cap modules that can be removably attached to pole modules to inhibit rain water from entering the inside of the pole modules. In particular, an auger pole module of the modular pole system is used in conjunction with a stabilizing pole attachment module to resist the adverse effects of wind. The auger module has an auger member fixedly and spirally secured thereto that facilitates the insertion of the auger module into the ground. The stabilizing module has a plurality of arms which distribute the force from the wind over a wider area.

Description:
REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/140,891, filed Jun. 24, 1999. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a pole system and more particularly to a modular pole system that is especially well adapted for mounting modular components birding accessories such as feeders, houses, and perches thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For quite sometime, birding has been a very popular hobby. Many people find that watching birds is a pleasant, relaxing, and educational way to spend time and observe nature. Although some bird watching is performed in a nature preserve-like settings, such as at parks and forests, much bird watching also occurs in and around the homes and yards of the bird watchers. To help better attract birds to watch, many people erect various bird attracting devices such as bird houses, feeders and baths. Examples of bird houses, feeders and baths can be found in any number of department stores, hardware stores, or nature stores such as the franchise stores of WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED, INC., one of the Assignees of the instant application. Along with the bird houses, feeders and baths, mounting hardware must be employed in order to place the bird house or bird feeder at a desired location. This mounting hardware can be as simple as a rope or wire that ties the bird attracting device to the branch of a tree; or a plurality of nails that nail a bird house, feeder or bath to either a tree or a wall. 
     In addition to this above-described simple hardware, more elaborate hardware exists such as mounting brackets and poles onto which a bird attracting device may be hung. Examples of existing, prior art mounting hardware can be found in the following catalogs: 
     1. ERVA TOOL AND DIE COMPANY, 1998 catalog, produced by the Erva Tool and Die Company of 3100 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60622-4234; 
     2. THE GREEN ESTEEM® GARDENING ACCESSORIES, 1999 catalog, produced by Hiatt Manufacturing, Inc. of 4410 Theurer Boulevard, Winona, Minn. 55987 (Website www.greenesteem.com); 
     3. MARKERS, INC. HOLES ‘N’ POLES Family of Yard Products 1998 catalog, produced by Markers, Inc. of 33597 Penn Oak Parkway, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012; 
     4. THE 1998 BLACKSMITH SERIES CORELINE HANGERS catalog, produced by the Whiskeyville Planters Company of Indiana; and 
     5. THE HOLSCHER PRODUCTS, INC. 1998 catalog, that is produced by Holscher Products, Inc. of 407 West Main Street, Fowler, Ind. 47944, who is also one of the Assignees of the present invention. 
     Although a large number of various bird feeder and bird house hangers exist that perform their desired function(s) in a workmanlike manner, room for improvement still exits. In particular, room for improvement exists in producing a hanging system that permits the user to better customize the system to fit the desired application. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a device that is modularly constructed to provide the user with extreme flexibility in choosing the configuration of his mounting hardware, so that he or she may better customize the mounting hardware to fit their particular needs and desires, and compliment their preferred bird attracting device. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a modular pole system that is particularly well adapted for those who enjoy birding by providing a multitude of different modules to allow the birder to custom design her birding pole to include a variety of birding accessories such as bird feeders, bird houses, artificial and natural perches and bird bathes. 
     The different modules can be classified into three categories for ease of understanding. The first category is pole modules that are used to secure the modular pole system to the ground and/or increase the overall length of the modular pole system. Pole modules can also have accessories, such as shepherd&#39;s hooks, permanently attached to them. 
     The second category is pole attachment modules. Pole attachment modules are accessories that can be removably attached to pole modules. Examples include bird feeders, suet cages, squirrel baffles, banners or signs and representations of vegetation. 
     The third category is cap modules. Cap modules are accessories that can be removably attached to pole modules at the top of the pole modules. The main purpose of cap modules is to inhibit rain water from entering the inside of the pole modules. Additionally, the top of the birding pole is a place of distinction and can have a prominent feature placed thereon, such as a bird bath, bird house, bird feeder or statue, or a decorative item. 
     One feature of the present invention is that it provides a wind-resistant foot system. An auger pole module is used in conjunction with a stabilizing pole attachment module to accomplish this wind resistance. The auger module has a auger member fixedly and spirally secured thereto that facilitates the insertion of the auger module into the ground. Once in the ground, the auger resists the axially directed extraction of the auger module from the ground. The stabilizing module has a plurality of arms for distributing the force from the wind over a wider area to resist radial (tilting) movement of the pole, which helps to keep the modular birding pole from leaning, or from being blown over by the wind. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to provide an accessory mounting hook, such as a shepherd&#39;s hook, that is welded directly to the main pole of the modular birding pole. This is accomplished by the shepherd&#39;s hook pole module that acts like a pole extension module but has at least one shepherd&#39;s hook welded thereto. 
     A further feature of the present invention is to provide a dish module that allows for the easy extraction and installation of a bird food dish. The dish module of the present invention includes a dish holder member having support rods that hold a dish securely in place. Additionally, the support rods permit the easy extraction and installation of the dish by simply tilting the dish relative to the dish holder. 
     It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide an cap module that both inhibits rain water from entering the pole modules and provides a distinctive appearance to the modular pole system. Several cap modules are disclosed that accomplish both tasks. 
     An additional feature of the present invention is that is provides a bird bath holder for holding a bird bath and allowing the easy extraction of the bird bath for refilling or cleaning. This feature is achieved by a bird bath cap module that contains a bird bath holder. The bird bath holder has a support ring for supporting the periphery of the bird bath and horizontal support bars for supporting the underside central surface of the bird bath. The bird bath simply rests on top of the bird bath holder. The holder can also be designed to provide a positive snap-in engagement of the bird bath over the support ring for resisting dislodgement of the bird bath from the bird bath holder. 
     It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a complete modular system that allows the customer to custom design their birding pole. The modules disclosed allow the user to vary the height of their birding pole. The customer can also pick and choose the accessories they would like to mount to the pole, and can even choose some customized accessories such as a banner module or a sign module for varying the appearance of the pole. 
     Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of one example of the modular birding pole system; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the modular birding pole system shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the auger and support bracket of the modular birding pole system shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the operation of the auger and support bracket of the modular birding pole system with the ground shown in cross section; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the pole and pole sleeve taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the squirrel baffle module of the modular birding pole system along lines  6 — 6  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a single shepherd&#39;s hook module. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dual shepherd&#39;s hook module; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dish module of the modular birding pole system shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the dish module taken along line  10 — 10  in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the dish module taken along line  11 — 11  in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the dish module holder shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dish holder; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a modular birding pole system incorporating three dish modules. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a branch with leaves module; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a suet cage module attached to a pole module; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the suet cage module of FIG. 16 taken along lines  17 — 17  in FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view of a birdhouse module; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of a birdhouse module; 
     FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of a portion of a modular birding pole system incorporating a vertical branch module with showing a figure eight pole sleeve in partial section; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a banner module; 
     FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of a birding pole cap module; 
     FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of a cylindrical birding pole cap module with some elements shown in section; 
     FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of a statue cap module; 
     FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of a sign cap module; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a three leg bird bath cap module with the bird bath not shown; 
     FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the three leg bird bath holder module including a bird bath taken along lines  27 — 27  in FIG. 26; and 
     FIG. 28 is a side view of a birding pole module attached to a pole extension module; 
     FIG. 29 is a side view of a dish holder an alternative embodiment dish; 
     FIG. 30 is a side view of a dish holder and a suet cage; 
     FIG. 31 is a side view of an extended arm module; 
     FIG. 32 is a side view of a flanged arm module; 
     FIG. 33 is a side view of an adapter module; 
     FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a bird bath holder module; and 
     FIG. 35 is a side view of a decorative wall mount. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The modular birding pole  10  of the present invention allows the user to custom design her birding pole system. The user can pick from a multitude of different modules to provide her pole with a unique and distinctive look. The following disclosure details several different exemplary modules for teaching the present invention to the reader. However, the present invention should not be limited to only the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     The modular birding pole  10  of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as including an auger pole module  12 , a dual shepherd&#39;s hook module  14  having two poles  16   a ,  16   b  attached thereto, a squirrel baffle module  18 , a pole extension module  20 , a dish module  22 , a branch with leaves module  24 ; a statue cap module  26  and a stabilizing module  72 . FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the modules of FIG.  1 . The various modules can be classified into three different categories: (1) pole modules; (2) pole attachment modules; and (3) cap modules. The classifications are provided only to aid the reader in understanding the function of each module, and not to limit the structure or function of any module. 
     All of the disclosed components are made primarily of metal. However, each component could also be made of a molded or extruded plastic. If the components are plastic instead of metal, typical plastic bonding techniques should be used in place of welding. Examples are an adhesive, sonic welding, or snap features. 
     A. Pole Modules 
     Pole modules are used to vary the length of the birding pole and/or to secure the pole to the ground  44 . A first pole module is auger pole module  12  shown in FIG.  1  and in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 3, auger pole module  12  includes a hollow, cylindrical member  28  having an outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30 , an inwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  32  that defines a generally hollow interior; a top, axial surface  34  (shown in FIG. 2) and a bottom, axial surface  36 . The radial extent of cylindrical member  28  narrows or necks down toward top, axial surface  34  to provide a male neck portion  38  that can be interiorly slidably received in a snug relation by the female end  40  of cylindrical member  28  at bottom, axial surface  36 . 
     The diameter of the outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30  in its portion adjacent to the top, axial surface  34  is slightly less than the diameter of inwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  32  in its portion adjacent to the bottom axial surface  36 . The diameter of the outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30  is constant from the top axial surface  34  down cylindrical member  28  for approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches, which portion is the male portion  38  of cylindrical member  28 . The female portion  40  of cylindrical member  28  is adjacent to the bottom, axial surface  36 . As will be explained in more detail below, the arrangement of having both a male and female portion on cylindrical member  28  allows for pole modules to be coupled together. 
     Auger pole module  12  further includes a circular rod  42  wrapped around and welded to outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30  near bottom, axial surface  36 . Circular rod  42  is wrapped in a right-hand thread fashion and extends slightly below bottom, axial surface  36 . Circular rod  42  functions as an auger to facilitate the securing of auger pole module  12  to the ground  44  as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Cylindrical member  28  of auger pole module  12  includes an tightening aperture  46  formed in outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30  and extending completely through cylindrical member  28 . Tightening aperture  46  is preferably disposed approximately one foot below the top axial surface  34  of the cylindrical member  28  of auger pole module  12 . Tightening aperture  46  allows for a lever member such as a screwdriver (not shown) to be coupled to auger module  12 . 
     Auger module  12  is inserted into the ground  44  in the following fashion. A screwdriver (not shown) is inserted into tightening aperture  46 . Next, the bottom axial surface  36  is positioned next to the upper surface  48  of the ground  44  and an axially downward pressure is applied by the user. The user then uses the screw driver as a handle, turning the screwdriver about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, to rotate cylindrical member  28  about the cylindrical member&#39;s  28  longitudinal axis and thereby engaging circular rod  42  with ground  44 . As cylindrical member  28  rotates, circular rod  42  facilitates the movement of cylindrical member  28  into ground  44  in an auger-like manner. Once, auger module  12  is inserted at the appropriate depth into the ground  44 , the screwdriver is removed from tightening aperture  46 . 
     Pole extension module  20  is used to increase the axial extent of modular birding pole  10 . As best shown in FIG. 2, pole extension module  20  contains a hollow, cylindrical member  50  having the same diameter as cylindrical member  28  of auger module  12 . Cylindrical member  50  includes a relatively reduced diameter male portion  52  and a relatively enlarged (when compared to the male portion  52 ) female portion  54 . The definition of both male portion  52  and female portion  54  are identical to the definition provided for male portion  38  and female portion  40  of auger module  12 . 
     Female portion  54  is employed to couple pole extension module  20  to either: (1) male portion  38  of auger module  12 ; (2) male portion  52  of another piece of pole extension module  20 ; or (3) the male portion of another type of pole module. Therefore, male portion  52  can be slidably received into, and accepted by female portion  54  of another identical pole extension module  20 ; the female portion of a different type of pole module; or the female portion  304  (see FIG. 24) of a cap module such as statue cap module  26  in FIG.  1 . One feature of the present invention is that the relatively upwardly positioned, downwardly opening female portion accepts the upwardly opening male portion of the module that is positioned below it. Through this arrangement, water seepage into the interior of the cylindrical pole modules is minimized. 
     Once two pole modules, such as pole extension module  20  and auger module  12 , are coupled together they appear, to the casual observer, to be one continuous module. Therefore, the length of modular pole member  10  can be adjusted without detracting from the aesthetic quality of the product. 
     A wall mount module  900  which is an alternative to using the auger module  12  for anchoring the modular birding pole  10  is shown in FIG.  35 . The wall mount module  900  includes a mounting plate  902  having holes  904  which enable fixedly attaching the mounting plate  902  to a structure such as the side of a home or a wooden deck via fasteners such as screws or nails. The wall mount module  900  further includes an arm  906  welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the mounting plate  902  such that the arm  906  extends outwardly from a structure to which the mounting plate  902  is fixedly attached. The wall mount module  900  also includes a brace member  908  welded to the mounting plate  902  and the arm  906  so as to provide the arm  906  with additional structural support. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the brace member  908  is implemented with a generally circular rod formed to have hook portions  910  and  912  at the distal ends of the brace member  908  in order to provide a decorative look to the wall mount module  902 . It should be appreciated that the wall mount module  900  may be implemented without the decorative elements  910 ,  912  or may be implement to include further decorative elements such has leaf and scroll elements. Finally, the wall mount module  900  includes a male portion  914  welded to or otherwise fixedly attached to the distal end of the arm  906  so that female portions of other pole modules may be slideably engaged therewith. 
     In addition, pole modules can have accessories permanently secured thereto, such as the case of dual shepherd&#39;s hook module  14 . Pole modules can also have accessories secured thereto that are removable. Removable modules are classified as pole attachment modules and will be discussed after pole modules. 
     One example of a pole module with a permanent accessory is dual shepherd&#39;s hook  14  shown in FIG.  1  and in FIG.  8 . Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that dual shepherd&#39;s hook  14  is simply a pole extension module  20  with two shepherd&#39;s hooks  56   a ,  56   b  welded or otherwise fixedly attached thereto. Shepherd&#39;s hooks  56   a ,  56   b  have a circular rod member formed in a generally arcuate portion  58   a ,  58   b  and a upward oriented hook portion  60   a ,  60   b  at the distal end of hooks  56   a ,  56   b . Shepherd&#39;s hooks  56   a ,  56   b  are oriented 180° from each other. Hooks  60   a ,  60   b  are usually used to hold other accessories such as the birding poles  16   a ,  16   b  shown in FIG. 1 or a hanging plant. 
     The number of shepherd&#39;s hooks  56  can be varied. FIG. 7 shows a single shepherd hook module  62  having one shepherd&#39;s hook  56   a . The number of shepherd&#39;s hooks  56  and the angular and vertical relationships of shepherd&#39;s hooks  56  can be adjusted from that shown in FIGS. 7-8. 
     Another example of a pole module is an extended arm module  800  shown in FIG.  31 . Referring to FIG. 31, it can be seen that the extended arm module  800  simply comprises a pole extension module  20  with an arm  802  welded or otherwise fixedly attached thereto. In particular, the arm  802  of the exemplary embodiment is fixedly attached to the pole extension module  20  such that the arm  802  extends radial outward and upward from the pole extension module  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, the arm  802  is essentially implemented with a circular rod member formed to have a mounting portion  804 , a generally strait portion  806 , and a upwardly oriented hook portion  808  at the distal end of the arm  802 . 
     Yet another example of a pole module is a flanged arm module  850  shown in FIG.  32 . Referring to FIG. 32, it can be seen that the flanged arm module  850  simply comprises a pole extension module  20  with an arm  852  welded or otherwise fixedly attached thereto and a flange  860  at a distal end of the arm  852 . In particular, the arm  852  of the exemplary embodiment is fixedly attached to the pole extension module  20  such that the arm  852  extends radial outward and upward from the pole extension module  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, the arm  852  essentially comprises a circular rod member formed to have a mounting portion  854 , a generally strait portion  856 , and a flange mounting portion  858  at the distal end of the arm  852 . Moreover, the flange  860  is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the flange mounting portion  858 . The arm  852  is generally formed such that when the flanged arm module  850  is in use the flange  860  provides a generally horizontal surface  862  and holes  864  which enable birding accessories such as a bird house or bird feeder to be attached thereto. 
     A further example of a pole module is an adapter module  870  shown in FIG.  33 . 
     Referring to FIG. 33, it can be seen that the adapter module  870  simply comprises a pole extension module  20  that provides two or more a male neck portions  872 ′,  872 ″,  872 ′″ that can be interiorly slidably received in a snug relation by a female end portion of other pole modules. The exemplary adapter module  870  includes three male neck portions  872 ′,  872 ″,  872 ′″ that are fixedly attached to a single female end portion  874 . More specifically, the female end portion  874  is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to a first pole portion  876  extending radially outward from the female end portion  874 , a second pole portion  878  extending radially outward from the female end portion  874 , and the second male neck portion  872 ″ extending from the female end portion  874  in a coaxial manner. Furthermore, the first male neck portion  872 ′ is fixedly attached to a distal end of the first pole portion  876  and the second male neck portion  872 ″ is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second pole portion  878 . The adapter module  870  generally enables the splitting of the modular pole into multiple branches in order to extend the number of accessories which may be mounted thereto. Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that the adapter module  870  is preferably radially symmetrical about an axis  880  that is coaxial with the female end portion  874 . 
     It is within the scope of the present invention to have additional types of pole modules. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to modify the pole attachment modules to be a permanent pole module such as dual shepherd&#39;s hook  14 . It is also within the scope of the present invention to convert dual shepherd&#39;s hook  14  to a pole attachment module. 
     B. Pole Attachment Modules 
     Pole attachment modules can serve either a functional or aesthetic purpose or both. The basic component of all pole attachment modules is the pole sleeve  70 . The structure and function of pole sleeve  70  will be discussed in conjunction with the stabilizing module  72 . It should be understood that the pole sleeve of every module is generally identical to pole sleeve  70  of stabilizing module  72  unless otherwise stated. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, stabilizing module  72  contains a pole sleeve  70  and a plurality of stabilizing arms  73   a-d . Stabilizing module  72  is used to stabilize modular birding pole  10  with respect to ground  44 . Typically, in the absence of stabilizing module  72 , the wind may work auger module  12  loose in the ground. This might result in modular birding pole  10  leaning from vertical or falling over. Stabilizing arms  73   a-d  solve this problem by spreading the force from the wind over a larger area, to import additional radial stability to the pole. 
     Pole sleeve  70  of stabilizing module  72  is cylindrical in shape and has an outwardly-facing cylindrical surface  74  (FIG.  4 ), an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface  76  (FIG.  17 ), a top axial surface  78  (FIG. 17) and a bottom axially facing surface  80  (FIG.  3 ). The diameter of radially inwardly-facing cylindrical surface  76  is slightly greater than that of outwardly-facing cylindrical surface  30  of auger module  12 , as shown in FIG. 5, to allow stabilizing module  72  to slide over auger module  12 . Pole sleeve  70  will also slide over pole extension modules  20 . Pole sleeve  70  has a radially extending threaded aperture  82  (see FIG. 17) that is formed in radially, outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  74  which extends through to inwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  76 . Threaded aperture  82  accepts a thumb screw  84 , although other types of screws could be used in place of thumb screw  84 . Examples include flat head screws, set screws, or machine screws. Alternatively, a cam member with a lever or any other commonly available tightening means can be used as the tightening mechanism. 
     To secure pole sleeve  70  to auger member  12 , thumb screw  84  is threaded radially inwardly into threaded aperture  82  until it presses against outwardly-facing cylindrical surface  30  of auger module  12 . To loosen or slide pole sleeve  70  relative to auger member  12  or other pole module, thumb screw  84  should be threaded radially outwardly until thumb screw  84  is out of contact with outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  30 . 
     Stabilizing member  72  has four stabilizing arms  73   a-d  welded to outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  74 . Each stabilizing arm  73  has a L-shaped circular rod  86 . A first end  88  of rod  86  is welded to pole sleeve  70 . The second end  90  of rod  86  extends downwardly toward ground  44 . When stabilizing member  72  is in its correct placement, second end  90  extends below ground surface  48 . 
     The distance from second end  90  to pole sleeve  70  is chosen to provide sufficient resistance to wind forces. When the wind blows, stabilizing arms  73  and auger module  12  absorb the force of the wind. Stabilizing arms  73  reduce the force on auger module  12 , thereby reducing the chances that auger module  12  will work loose relative to ground  44 . If auger module  12  does work loose relative to ground  44 , stabilizing arms  73  will help to keep modular birding pole  10  from leaning. 
     Another pole attachment module is squirrel baffle  18  shown in FIG.  1  and in section in FIG.  6 . Squirrel baffle  18  includes a barrel member  92 , a cap  94 , a pole sleeve  70  with a flange  96  and a thumb screw  84 . Squirrel baffle  18  is usually placed below the location of any birding feeder, such as tube feeders  16   a ,  16   b  in FIG. 1, and is used to hinder the advancement of squirrels or other climbing animals up modular birding pole  10  to the feeders and eating the contents of the feeders  16   a ,  16   b.    
     Referring to FIG. 6, barrel member  92  has an inwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  98 , an outwardly-facing cylindrical surface  100 , a top axial surface  102  and a bottom axial surface  104 . 
     Cap  94  has an outwardly-facing top axial surface  106 , a top axial surface  108 , an outwardly-facing cylindrical surface  110 , an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface  112  and a top, inwardly-facing axial surface  114 . Cap  94  is disposed and coupled to the top end of barrel member  92  such that cylindrical, inwardly-facing surface  112  is adjacent to cylindrical outwardly-facing surface  100  of barrel member  92  and top axial inwardly-facing surface  114  is facing top, axial surface  102  of barrel member  92 . Cap  94  has an axially centered clearance aperture  116  formed in the top, outwardly-facing axial surface  106  and extending through to top, inwardly-facing axial surface  114 . It is within the scope of the present invention, to combine barrel member  92  and cap  94  into one component. 
     Pole sleeve  70  has a flange  96  disposed at and extending downward from top-axial surface  78  of sleeve  70 . Flange  96  provides a seating surface for cap  94 . When assembled, top-inwardly-facing, axial surface  114  of cap  94  rests against top, axial surface  78  of pole sleeve  70  as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Squirrel baffle  18  is assembled to modular birding pole  10  as follows. Pole sleeve  70  is slid over the pole modules of modular birding pole  10  and positioned at the desired height. It should be noted that pole sleeve  70  cannot slide past the shepherd&#39;s hooks  56  on a shepherd hook module such as dual shepherd hooks  14 . Thumb screw  84  is tightened to secure pole sleeve  70  at the desired height. Next the assembled cap  94  and barrel  92  are slid over the pole modules of modular birding pole  10  such that the pole modules pass through clearance aperture  116  formed in cap  94 . The squirrel baffle is completely assembled when top-inwardly-facing, axial surface  114  of cap  94  rests against top, axial surface  78  of pole sleeve  70  as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The barrel  92  and cap  94  are free to rock on top of flange  96 . Therefore, when a squirrel attempts to grasp cylindrical, outwardly-facing barrel surface  100 , the barrel  92  and cap  94  rock to impede the progress of the squirrel. 
     FIGS. 9-12 show dish module  22  as seen in FIG.  1 . Dish module  22  includes a pole sleeve  70 , a dish  120  and a dish holder  122 . Dish  120  is often used to hold water or food for birds. 
     Dish  120  is a generally rectangular structure with two tiers. The exterior of the lower tier  124  includes four generally vertical outwardly-facing surfaces  126 ,  128 ,  130  and  132  and an outwardly-facing generally horizontally disposed, planar bottom surface  134 . The interior of lower tier  124  includes four generally vertically disposed, inwardly-facing surfaces  136 ,  138 ,  140  and  142  and an inwardly-facing generally horizontally disposed planar bottom surface  144 . The intersections of the respective vertical and horizontal surfaces in lower tier  124  are rounded. The exterior of the upper tier  146  includes four generally vertical outwardly-facing surfaces  148 ,  150 ,  152  and  154  and an outwardly-facing generally horizontal bottom surface  156 . The interior of upper tier  146  includes four generally vertical inwardly-facing surfaces  158 ,  160 ,  162  and  164  and an inwardly-facing generally horizontal bottom surface  166 . The intersections of the respective vertical and horizontal surfaces in upper tier  146  are rounded. Upper tier  146  has a rounded lip  168  at its top edge. The interior surfaces of upper tier  146  are contiguous with the interior surfaces of lower tier  124  and thereby form one interior cavity. Likewise, the exterior surfaces of lower tier  124  are contiguous with the exterior surfaces of upper tier  146 , thereby forming one external surface set. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, dish holder  122  includes a planar bar  180  and two cylindrical, wire-like support rods  182   a ,  182   b . Surface  184  of bar  180  is welded to outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  74  of pole sleeve  70 . Support rods  182   a ,  182   b  are welded to surface  185  of bar  180 . The horizontal length of bar  180 , defined as the distance between end surface  186  and end surface  188 , is sufficient to permit support rods  182   a ,  182   b  to pass outboard of exterior, vertical surfaces  128  and  132  of dish lower tier  124  to interiorly receive the vertical surfaces  128  in a snug, gripping relation. 
     Support rods  182   a ,  182   b  are generally identical. Therefore, the structure and function of support rods  182   a  will be discussed with the understanding that the structure and function of support rod  182   b  is identical. Support rod  182   a  has a generally horizontal portion  190   a , a generally vertical portion  192   a  and a hook portion  194   a  disposed at the top of vertical portion  192   a . Vertical portion  192   a  is the part of support rod  182   a  that is welded to bar surface  185 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, the relationship between dish  120  and dish holder  122  will be explained. Horizontal portion  190   a  of dish holder  122  supports dish  120  and is located adjacent to outwardly-facing bottom surface  156  of the upper tier  146  of dish  120 . Hook portion  194   a  wraps over rounded lip  168  of dish  120  and is adjacent to vertical, interior surface  158  of the upper tier  146 . Hook portion  194   a  secures dish  120  in the (in-and-out) horizontal plane while horizontal portion  190   a  secures dish  120  in the vertical and (side-to-side) horizontal planes. 
     Dish  120  is assembled to dish holder  122  by introducing dish  120  to dish holder  122  at an angle so that rounded lip  168  of dish  120  clears the lower end  196 a of hook portion  194   a . Lower tier  124  is then positioned generally between horizontal portions  190   a ,  190   b  of support rods  182   a ,  182   b . Once rounded lip  168  clears hook lower end  196   a , dish  120  is tilted such that outwardly-facing horizontal surface  156  rests upon horizontal portion  190   a . The design of dish holder  122  securely holds dish  120  and allows for the easy removal and installation of dish  120 . 
     The configuration of the dish holder  122  also serves well to hold a single tier dish  700 , such as the single tier dish  700  shown in FIG.  29 . When used with a single tier dish  700  having a horizontally disposed bottom surface  702 , and a generally vertically disposed side surface  704  that terminates at its upper edge in an upwardly facing lip  706 , the horizontal portions  190   a ,  190   b  of the dish holder  122  are disposed in a spaced parallel relation to engage and support the downwardly facing bottom surface  702  of dish  700 . The vertical portions  192   a ,  192   b  engage the exteriorly facing vertically disposed side surface  704 . In addition, the hook portions  194   a ,  194   b  overlay the upwardly facing lip  706  and extend downwardly to engage the interiorly facing vertically disposed side surface  708  of the single tier dish  700 . In this manner, the dish holder  122  can securely hold the single tier dish  700 , while permitting the user to engage and disengage the single tier dish  700  with the dish holder  122  in a manner generally similar to the two tier dish  120 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 30, the dish holder  122  is also capable of holding a suet cage  730  that is comprised of a series of perpendicularly and parallelly disposed thin bars. Similar to the single tier dish  700 , the suet cage  730  has a bottom surface  732 , a top surface  734  and four generally vertically disposed side surfaces  736 . Each of the bottom  732 , top  734  and side  736  surfaces comprise an array of cross-hatched bars disposed in a planar array that define an array of apertures between the adjacent bars, through which the birds can feed on the suet cake (not shown) contained within the suet cage  730 . In place of a lip, the suet cage  730  contains a series of generally horizontally disposed corner bars (e.g.  740 ) disposed at the intersection of one of the side surfaces (e.g.  736 ) and one edge of the top surface  734 . 
     To engage a suet dish  730 , the horizontal portions  190   a ,  190   b  of the dish holder  122  engage the bars of the bottom surface  732  of the suet cage  730 ; the vertical portions  192   a ,  192   b  engage the exteriorly facing vertically disposed side surface  736 ; and the hook portions  194   a ,  194   b  overlay one of the corner bars  740 , pass through an adjacent aperture  744 , and extend downwardly to engage the interiorly facing vertically disposed side surface  736  array of bars of the suet cage  730 . In this manner, the dish holder  122  can securely hold the suet cage  730 , and while permitting the user to engage and disengage the suet cage  730  with the dish holder  122  in a manner generally similar to the two tier dish  120 . 
     Dish holder  122  can be modified to attach to a generally planar surface such as a piece of lumber, for example, a wooden pole or a side surface of a wooden bird feeder or birdhouse. FIG. 13 shows a modified dish holder  122 ′. Pole sleeve  70  has been deleted and bar  180  has two apertures  197   a ,  197   b  formed in surface  184  and extending through to surface  185 . Apertures  197   a ,  197   b  accept two coupling members, such as two wood screws  198   a ,  198   b . Wood screws  198   a ,  198   b  secure bar  180  and hence dish holder  122  to the piece of wood (not shown). Aside from the differences pointed out, dish holder  122 ′ is identical in structure and function to dish holder  122 . 
     FIG. 14 shows an example of a pole extension module  20  with three dish modules  22  attached thereto. The three dish modules  22  are angularly and vertically staggered about pole extension module  20 . 
     FIG. 15 shows an example of a “branch with leaves” module  24 . Branch with leaves module  24  includes a pole sleeve  70 , a main branch  200 , made out of a circular rod, a plurality of finger branches  202   a-c  connected to main branch  200  and a plurality of leaves  204   a-c  connected to finger branches  202   a-c . Branch with leaves module  24  assists modular birding pole  10  to blend into its natural surroundings, and more importantly, provides a perch for birds that is adjacent to their feeding source, such as bird feeders  16   a  and  16   b  (FIG.  1 ). 
     Main branch  200  has a generally vertical portion  206  which is welded to outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  74  of pole sleeve  70 . Main branch  200  also has an outward-extending portion  208  which extends outward from vertical portion  206 . Finger branches  202  are welded to main branch  200 . Leaves  204  are welded to finger branches  202 . 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 show a suet cage module  220 . Suet is an animal fat or peanut based bird food sold in cake form for use as an animal feed, and particularly as a bird food. Examples of suet cakes that can function in the present invention can be found at most establishments that sell bird food. Suet cage module  220  includes a cage  222  to hold a suet cake  223  (FIG.  16 ), a pole sleeve  70  and a coupling member  224 . 
     Cage  222  is generally a rectangular cuboid shape and includes a plurality of bars  226 . Bars  226  are generally equally spaced and run in two orthogonal directions on every side of cage  222 . Cage  222  also includes a door  228  with a latch  230 . Door  228  provides the user with access to the interior of the cage  222 . The user opens door  228 , inserts the suet cakes into cage  222 , closes door  228  and secures latch  230 . 
     Coupling member  224  is used to secure cage  222  to pole sleeve  70 . Coupling member  224  has a flange  232  welded to the outwardly-facing pole sleeve surface  74 . Flange  232  has an axially extending threaded aperture  234  formed therein that extends from flange mounting surface  236  through to inwardly-facing pole sleeve surface  76 . Coupling member  224  has a circular disk member  238  with an aperture  240  formed there through. The radial extent of disk member  238  is defined by radial surface  242  and is larger than the separation between two adjacent bars  226  on cage  222 . The same is true for the radial extent of flange  232 . 
     Suet cage module  220  is assembled in the following manner. Pole sleeve  70  along with flange  232  is positioned at the desired height on pole extension module  20 . Cage  222  is held up against flange  232  so that at least two adjacent bars  226  contact flange mounting surface  236 , and so that flange aperture  234  is centered vertically and horizontally between bars  226 . Disk member  238  is then inserted into cage  222  and positioned to align disk aperture  240  with flange aperture  234 . A bolt  242  is then passed through disk aperture  240  and threaded into flange aperture  234 . Once bolt  242  is tightened, suet cage module  220  is assembled. 
     FIG. 20 shows a vertical branch module  250 . Vertical branch module  250  is designed to enable the user to attach a small tree branch  254  to the birding pole  10  to provide a perch for birds on the pole. Vertical branch module  250  includes a figure-eight shaped pole sleeve  252  and a tree branch  254  that is received by one of the sleeves. Figure eight pole sleeve  252  is simply two pole sleeves welded together at their outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  74 , so that the axes of the two sleeves are parallel. This configuration allows one pole sleeve  70  to couple to pole extension module  20  and the other pole sleeve  70  to interiorly receive the tree branch  254 . Alternately, the two pole sleeves can be welded to each other such that their axes are not parallel, but rather angled with respect to each other, so that the branch  254  received by one of the sleeves is held at an angle relative to the vertical pole, such as an angle of between about 20° and 70°. Preferably, the branch receiving pole sleeve has a diameter of between about 0.375 and 1.25 inches so that it will be sized for receiving a branch of a size appropriate for functioning well with the modular birding pole  10 . 
     Preferably branch  254  divides into a plurality of finger branches  256   a ,  256   b  which then further divide into secondary finger branches  258   a-n  to provide a large number of perching surfaces having different diameters. The branch  254  may also further divide into tertiary finger branches,  260   a-e  for example. 
     FIG. 21 shows a banner module  270  that includes a pole sleeve  70 , a banner rod  272  and a banner  274 . The proximal end  276  of rod  272  is welded to the radially, outwardly-facing pole sleeve surface  74 . The distal end  278  of banner rod  272  has an upturned hook portion  280  to help prevent the banner  274  from becoming disengaged from the banner rod  272 . 
     Banner  274  is made of any material customarily used for signs. Examples are cloth, canvas, wood, plastic or metal. Banner  274  can be fixably secured to rod  272  such as to welding. Alternately, banner  274  can have a sleeve-like pocket at the top to accept rod  272  or a series of rings which slide over rod  272 . The front surface  282  and possibly back surface of banner  274  contain a text and/or graphic message  284 . 
     C. Cap Modules 
     The male portion  52  of the last pole extension module  20  should have a cap to prevent rain water from entering the interior of pole extension module  20 . Because the top of modular birding pole  10  is a place of distinction several different cap modules have been developed to cap the last pole extension module  20 . For example, FIGS. 18 and 19 show a bird house cap module  300 . 
     All cap modules share one common element, the cap  302 . Cap  302  has a female portion  304  for coupling to male portion  52  of pole extension module  20 . Female portion  304  is identical to female portion  54  of pole extension module  20 . Cap  302  is closed at its distal end  306  unless otherwise stated. It should be noted that cap  302  could be open at its distal end  306  if another member of bird house cap module  300  was positioned above cap  302 , as such an arrangement would still prohibit rain water from entering the interior of cap  302 . 
     Along with cap  302 , bird house module  300  includes a plate  304 , bird house  306 , (or alternately a bird feeder) and four screws  305   a-d  for fastening plate  304  to bird house  306 . Bird house  306  can be any standard or custom bird house. Surface  308  of plate  304  is welded to the outwardly-facing, cylindrical surface  307  of cap  302 . Plate  304  has four apertures (not shown) formed in surface  308  and extending entirely through plate  304 . The apertures (not shown) each receive one screw  305  for securing bird house  306  to plate  304 . 
     FIG. 22 shows an example of a birding pole module  320 . Birding pole module  320  includes cap  302 , bracket  322 , screws  324  and a house motif pole  326 . 
     Cap  302  has a female portion  304  at its proximal end, and is welded to surface  328  of bracket  322  at its distal end  306 . Bracket  322  has a plurality of apertures (not shown) formed in surface  328  and extending entirely through bracket  322 . Each of the bracket apertures receives a screw  324  for securing a lower surface  330  of birding pole  326  to bracket  322 . 
     FIG. 23 shows an example of a removable bird feeder module  350 . Removable bird feeder module  350  includes a cap  302 , a threaded lock washer  352  and a bird feeder  354 . Cap  302  has a female portion  304  for receiving male portion  52  of pole extension module  20 . The distal end  306  of cap  302  has a threaded surface  356 . 
     Bird feeder  354  has a threaded aperture  358  formed in its bottom surface  360 . Threaded aperture  358  can accept threaded male end portion surface  356  to secure bird feeder  354  to cap  302 . Threaded lock washer  352  should be threaded onto threaded surface  356  before threaded aperture  358 . Washer  352  is then positioned such that it rests against bottom surface  360  of feeder  354  when assembled to help prevent the feeder  354  from becoming un-threaded and thereby fall off. 
     FIG. 24 shows an example of a statue cap module  26 . Statue module  26  includes a cap  302  and a statue member  400 . Cap  302  has a female portion  304  to receive male portion  52  of pole extension module  20 . Distal end  306  of cap  302  is closed and includes a mounting surface  402 . Statue member  400  is fixedly secured to mounting surface  402 . In FIG. 24, statue member  400  is a bird whose feet  404  are secured to mounting surface  402 . 
     Statue member  400  can be any aesthetically pleasing shape and is not limited to the bird shown in FIG.  24 . For example, statue member  400  could comprise a mechanical assembly with moving components, such as a pinwheel. 
     FIG. 25 shows a sign module  420 , that is a specialized example of a statue module  26 . Sign module  420  is identical to statue module  26  except that statue member  400  has been replaced by sign member  422 . Sign member  422  is shown in FIG. 25 as a house silhouette  424  with a text message  426 . Sign member  422  can be any conceivable shape and contain any graphics or text desired. Sign member  422  in FIG. 25 has a post  428  extending from house silhouette  424  that is fixedly secured, by welding to cap mounting surface  402 . 
     FIGS. 26 and 27 show an example of a bird bath module  500 . Bird bath module  500  includes a cap  302 , a bath holder  502  and a bird bath  504 . Cap  302  has a female portion  304  to receive male portion  52  of pole extension module  20 . The distal end  306  of cap  302  is open. 
     Bath holder  502  has three circular bars  506   a-c  extending outward from cap surface  508  near distal end  306  of cap  302 . Bars  506  are equally spaced around cap  302  (i.e. 120° apart). The number of bars can be as low as two or greater than three as well. The distal ends  510   a-c  of bars  506   a-c  are generally vertical while the proximal ends  512   a-c  are generally horizontal. This gives bars  506   a-c  an L-shaped appearance. 
     A support ring  514  is fixedly secured (welded) to distal ends  510   a-c  of bars  506   a-c . Support ring  514  has a circular cross section and is used to support the outer portion of bath  504 . 
     Each bar  506  has a decorative bar  516  disposed below bar  506  and welded to cap  302  and to bar  506 . Decorative bar  516  increases the aesthetic appeal of bird bath module  500  and provides additional support for distal ends  510   a-c  of bars  506   a-c.    
     Bath  504  has a pie pan shape and includes a bottom portion  520 , a wall portion  522  and a rolled edge portion  524 . Bottom portion  520  includes a downwardly-facing surface  526  having ribs  528  and an upwardly-facing surface  530 . Wall portion  522  has an inwardly-facing surface  532  and an outwardly-facing surface  533 . Rolled edge  524  has a downwardly-facing surface  534  and an upwardly-facing surface  536 . 
     Bath  504  is held in place by bath holder  502 . Ribs  528  rests on the horizontal proximal ends  512   a-c  of bars  506   a-c . Downward-facing rolled edge surface  534  overlaps the support ring  514  with the lip of the rolled edge surface  534  being disposed radially outwardly of the support ring  514  to hold the bath  504  on the support ring  514  . Once in place, the interior of bath  504 , defined by upward-facing surface  530  and inwardly-facing surface  532  can be filled with water. It should be noted that the presence of bath  504  above cap  302  keeps rain water from entering the interior of cap  302 . 
     A simplified bird bath module  950  is shown in FIG.  34 . The bird bath module  950  of FIG. 34 is implemented as an attachment module. In particular, the bird bath module  950  includes a support ring  954  similar to support ring  514  of FIGS. 26 and 27 that is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to surface  74  of pole sleeve  70  via connection member  956 . In general, the support ring  954  has a circular cross section and is used to support the outer portion of bath  504 . 
     FIG. 28 shows an example of birding pole module  320  attached to pole extension module  20 . A dual linear hook module  600  is also shown attached to pole extension module  20 . Dual linear hook module  600  includes a pole sleeve  70  and two hooks  602   a,b , whose distal ends  604   a,b  are welded to surface  74  of pole sleeve  70 . 
     Hooks  602   a,b  have a generally linear portion  606   a,b  and a curved hook portion  608   a,b . The cross section of hooks  602   a,b  is circular. Different articles can be attached to hook portions  608   a,b . In FIG. 28, two poles  16   a,b  are attached to hook portions  608   a,b.    
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present invention.