An Improved Apparatus for Feeding Birds.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1893-Accepted. 28th Oct., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Feeding Birds.
I, JOSEF KLEIN, of No. 13 Martinstrasse, Cologne Germany, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an apparatus used for feeding birds, and reference is
made to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the apparatus,
Fig. 2 is also a vertical section through the lower part of a slightly modified
apparatus, and
Fig. 3 is a plan view with the top removed.
In these drawings, a cylindrical body a is supplied with a suitable lid b, and a
conically formed base d, its apex being raised in the centre. The space between
the lid and the base is made of a suitable capacity to contain a desired amount of
food. The base d extends outwardly from the bottom of the conical part in a
curve rising slightly at the circumference so as to form a circular channel around
the base of the apparatus, and the bottom a' of the body a is beaded and supported
clear above the circular channel by radial ribs d² which at intervals connect the
upturned outer edge of the base with the bottom a' of the body a.
Consequently, any grain or other food placed within the body a on the conical
base d, will automatically flow outwardly into the circular channel, from which it
is picked up by the birds feeding. Around the outside of the upturned edge
are several wire rings, soldered or otherwise connected to the base; and on these
wires the birds settle while feeding. By this means dirt is prevented from entering
the circular channel and mixing with the food, as would occur if the birds were
allowed to scratch the adjoining earth with their claws.
The raised apex of the base d is adapted to receive a screws, which engages
with a nut in the centre of a ring a² secured to the body a. The lower part of the
screws is adapted to carry a similar ring a² but moveable and combined with an
inverted conical bottom e, having a hole in its centre large enough to surround the
upper portion of the conical based, and to leave a space between the two sufficient
to pass food. By turning the screw s, the inverted conical bottom c adjustable
up or down, thus enlarging or reducing the space between the central hole of e and
the conical base d, to regulate the automatic outflow of food. Radial supporting
ribs connect the centre with the circumferential rim of the upper ring a³, and the
lower one attached to the inverted cone c, respectively.
The lid is hinged or otherwise fitted to the body a, and on opening the lid, the
apparatus can be filled with corn or other food. The grain Hows between the
before mentioned openings into the circular channel, and continues to supply
the said channel automatically as the birds feed therefrom. The apparatus may
be fixed in the centre of a pigeon house, fowl house, or other place for birds, and
once adjusted, the food flows automatically until it is exhausted; and if of sufficient
capacity, it need not be replenished for months, thus avoiding unnecessary disturbance
to the birds. Or the apparatus may be so placed or arranged that it can be supplied
from outside; and it is desirable to hang the apparatus above the ground or floor to
avoid mice reaching the grain. A hood a³ is sometimes combined with the body a
to shelter the grain and the feeding birds from rain; and arms are likewise added
when the apparatus is to be hung up.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is ;-
An automatic food supplying apparatus for birds consisting of body a, conical
based with circular feeding channel surrounding the same, outer rings e, combined
with an adjustable regulating device for controlling the outflow of food, substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1893.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.