IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CAGES AND IN SEED RESERVOIRS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BIRD CAGES AND IN SEED RESERVOIRS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS FOR THE
SAME."
A communication from abroad by Owen. W. Taft, of the City, County,
and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 19th August 1879, and dated the 6th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th March 1879.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CAGES AND IN SEED RESERVOIRS, AND
OTHER ATTACHMENTS FOR THE SAME.' [A communication from abroad by Owen
W. Taft, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to a bird cage adapted primarily to being taken to pieces
and packed in smaller compass for facility of transportation, and constructed so
that it is held in its complete integral form by a tension exerted either individually
or collectively upon the several wires constituting the same.
The Invention further consists in the construction and means of attachment of
the bath tub, feeding dishes, &c., which are attached at the bottom of the cage
instead of the side as heretofore.
According to this Invention the base of the cage is formed with closed and
nearly straight sides and a flat bottom, the upper part of the cage consisting of a
sheet metal ring formed with or connected to an ornamental top. Four vertical
standards are placed equidistant in the circumference of the cage, each standard
having its end slotted to set over the upper rim of the base and the lower edge
of the ring, but having no rigid or permanent connection. To hold the base and
upper ring together as well as to form the cage body, I attach a series of vertical
tension wires, which wires are formed at their lower ends, each with a spiral coil
that are separately connected to the base by pins, hooks, or perforations, the upper
ends of the wires being also connected to the ring in a similar manner.
fastening these wires they are each first hooked to the top ring and then strained
and fastened to the base. The function of the wires is double as will be scen,
In

page_text: they close in and form the cage body, and also exert a tension which holds the
base, and ring, and the standards rigidly together to form a complete cage body,
the several parts of which may be quickly separated or put together and adjusted.
It will be seen that each wire exerts a separate and individual tension which not
only acts to hold the cage body together, but prevents each and every wire from
becoming bent or misplaced, the elasticity or spring of each wire allowing it to
yield to pressure or blows and afterwards assume its former position.
The upper part of the base where the wires are connected is preferably made as
a separate ring to which the base is removably attached as hereafter described.
The pins, hooks, or perforations that connect the wires may be made in any desired
form from the material of the ring during the process of manufacture. The base is
attached to this ring by hooks and lugs, keys, springs, or other suitable fastenings
that permit its detachment, and it may set within the upper edge of the base and
be connected thereto by pins entering slots in the same, the parts being put
together by springing the metal, but I do not limit myself to this construction.
There are openings in the vertical sides of the base to receive the seed or water
cups that enter the openings, and are retained in place by spiral springs attached
to the base at opposite sides of the openings and passing around the cups. The
cups are formed with an annular groove to receive the springs and prevent their
displacement. The springs will contract when the cups are removed and bar the
openings sufficient to prevent the escape of a bird.
In the bottom of the base there is a large central opening for introducing the
bird, and below this opening and covering the same is attached the bathing cup
held by lugs on the base that take under the flanged rin of the cup; or the cup
may be secured by stud pins and clips similar to a bayonet fastening, or by any
other contrivance, so that the parts may be detached at pleasure. The lower part
of the cup has formed with or attached to it by a screw a flaring bottom forming
a stand on which the cage rests when set upon a table or other support. This cup
it is preferred to construct of glass, porcelain, or similar material as being more
ornamental and cleanly. The cup forms a convenient bath in the bottom of the
cage, and can be attached to the cage much better than a cup can be inserted
through a side door, and the case may be cleaned out without detaching the bottom
as is usually required. The sides of the base serve to prevent the bird from
throwing gravel or food that may be on the bottom of the cage, or scattering water
outside the cage, and by placing the seed cups in the sides of the closed base, the
bird is compelled to go into the bottom to eat and drink. The cup and stand may
also be formed of metal, and connected to a base of ordinary character. The cup
fits around the opening closely and is secured by stud pins and clips. If preferred
the cup may extend up into the cage so that the base closes the opening. A ring
fits in the opening of the cage bottom and projects upward a short distance to
prevent the seed and other matters dropping on the bottom from falling into the
bath, and a removable cover to the cup is provided on which to make a sand bed
in the bottom of the cage if desired, said bottom being supported on an offset made
in the cup for that purpose. This cover may be stored away in the stand when
not in use, and secured therein by a spring.
To preserve the seed used for food, save it from waste, and protect it from rats
and mice, and also hold it at all times in readiness for supplying the feed cups,
I make use of a seed reservoir or supply receptacle attached or connected with the
cage. The reservoir may be of any suitable shape, dimensions, or material, and
either plain or ornamental as desired. It is preferably made of sheet metal as being
less liable to break than glass, and of such dimensions as to be connected with a
cage either by suspension above it, or interposition below it between the cage and
base without being out of proper proportion with relation to the size of the cage.
In one form the reservoir is of oval or oblong spheroidal shape, and is provided
with a flaring mouth or neck resembling the neck of a bottle. It is suspended by
pivots in a frame of elliptical form, which may be of cast or wrought metal or other
suitable material. By this arrangement of the roservoir in the frame its upright

page_text: position will be maintained by gravity, while at the same time it is capable of
being tipped when desired in order to pour out the contents. The frame may be
provided with means for suspending it or for supporting it upon a table or other
surface either alone or in connection with a cage. The frame is suspended by a
chain passing over a hook or other projection, its lower end being provided with a
hook by means of which the cage is suspended from it. The frame may also have
screw caps or ferrules by which it can be interposed between the bottom of a cage
and the supporting stand or foot. In the latter case the cage has a bathing cup at
the bottom as before described. When used in this connection the reservoir is
interposed between the cup and the stand, and attached thereto by connecting the
screw caps or ferrules to the screwthreaded parts of the cut and stand respectively,
If desired the frame may be provided with a permanent foot or stand, and also be
permanently attached to the bottom of the cage. In whatever manner the
reservoir is used it may be readily tipped or tilted in order to pour out the
contents.
When it is desired to use the reservoir alone or suspend a cage from it, the frame
may be dispensed with and a chain attached to the neck on the reservoir, so that
the latter may be suspended like an ordinary gold fish globe, and the cage
suspended from a hook on the bottom of the reservoir. The reservoir may be
arranged to be held in place in the frame by various means other than pivots, as
for example, by springs or by engaging with a socket in the frame or stand. When
the seed supply box or reservoir is rigidly connected to the base, the reservoir is
made in the form of a sphere having its upper side formed as a screw neck that
enters a screw socket formed on the bottom of the base, so that the reservoir is held
rigidly in place but may be removed for filling. At the lower side of the reservoir
is an opening covered by a spring valve that may be opened by a knob. When
the reservoir is attached to the cage so as to be removed at will, it may be filled
through the neck, and the seed cups filled by the same opening, but when the
reservoir is permanently attached to the cage, the opening therein serves as a con-
venient means for filling the seed cups. In place of the socket in the base of the
cage there may be a nut, pin, framework, or projection that will permit the
attachment of the bird cage to an ornamental stand, and the reservoir may be
formed with a flat bottom or flaring edge to support the cage and prevent it from
tipping over. If the neck of the reservoir is made of irregular form, it could be
attached to the cage by slipping into or over a socket, or over or into a projection
on the cage bottom, and be made fast with springs, buttons, set screws, or other
simple devices, but it is preferred to use the screw socket on the cage bottom as
described, which construction permits the removal of the reservoir when desired,
and the attachment of the cage to an ornamental or other stand or support. The
perches are supported by a wire that passes length wise through the perch, and
projects into the standards in line of the perch; or the wires may be bent upward
in the form of a compound curve at each end of the perch. In this last named case
the point of attachment of the wire to the standards is above the perch, and the
bird will not be able to stand on the perch near enough to force the wires forming
the cage body apart in endeavouring to escape between them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
August 1879.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CAGES AND IN SEED RESERVOIRS, AND
OTHER ATTACHMENTS FOR THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Owen
W. Taft, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to a bird cage adapted primarily to be taken to pieces, and
packed in smaller compass for facility of transportation, and constructed so that it
is held in its complete integral form by a tension exerted either individually or
collectively upon the several wires constituting the same.
The Invention further relates to the construction and means of attachment of the
bath tub, feeding dishes, &c., which are attached at the bottom of the cage instead
of at the side as heretofore.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved bird
cage; Figure 2 is a partial elevation and section showing a modified form of base
and the manner of its attachment; Figure 3 is an elevation showing the seed
reservoir attached to the base; Figure 4 shows the cage suspended below the seed
reservoir Figure 5 is a sectional elevation showing a cage with a seed reservoir
rigidly connected to the base; Figure 6 is a section on line y, y, of Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 1, A is the base of the cage formed with closed and nearly
straight sides and a flat bottom. The upper part of the cage consists of a sheet
metal ring B formed with or connected to the ornamental top b; c, c, are vertical
standards, of which there are four, placed equidistant in the circumference of the
cage. Each standard c has its ends slotted to set over the upper rim of base A,
and the lower edge of ring B, but have no rigid or permanent connection. To hold
the parts A, B, together as well as to form the cage body I attach the series of
vertical tension wires d, which wires are formed at their lower ends, each with a
spiral coil e that is separately connected to the base A by pins, hooks, or
perforations.
The upper ends of wires d are connected to the upper ring B in a similar manner. ;
In fastening these wires they are each first hooked to the top ring B, and then
strained and fastened to the base. The function of the wires d is double, as will be
seen; they close in and form the cage body, and also exert a tension which holds
base A, ring B, and standards c rigidly together to form a complete cage body,
the several parts of which may be quickly separated or put together and
adjusted.
It will be seen that each wire exerts a separate and individual tension, which not
only acts to hold the cage body together, but prevents each and every wire from
becoming bent or misplaced, the elasticity or spring of each wire allowing it to
yield to pressure or blows, and afterwards assume its former position. The upper
part of the base A where the wires d are connected is preferably made as a
separate ring g, to which the base is removably attached as hereafter described.
The pins, books, or perforations that connect the wires d may be made in any
desired form from the material of the ring during the process of manufacture. The
base A is attached to ring g by hooks and lugs, keys, springs, or other suitable
fastenings that permit its detachment. In Figure 5 the ring g is shown as setting
within the upper edge of A, and connected thereto by pins entering slots in A, the
parts being put together by springing the metal, but I do not limit myself to that
construction.
In the vertical sides of base A are openings & to receive the seed or water cups เ
that enter the openings k, and are retained in place by spiral springs m attached to
base A at opposite sides of openings k, and passing around cups l. The cups / are

page_text: formed with an annular groove, as shown in Figure 5, to receive the springs m and
prevent their displacement. The springs m will contract when the cups are
removed, and bar the openings k sufficiently to prevent the escape of a bird. In
the bottom of base A there is a large central opening for introducing the bird.
Below this opening and covering the same is attached the bathing cup C that is
held by lugs n on A that take under the flanged rim of C, or the cup may be
secured by stud pins and clips similar to a bayonet fastening, or by any other
contrivance, so that the parts may be detached at pleasure.
The lower part of C has formed with or attached to it by a screw w a flaring
bottom o on which the cage rests when set upon a table or other support. The
cup C I prefer to construct of glass, porcelain, or similar material, as being more
ornamental and cleanly. The cup forms a convenient bath in the bottom of the
cage, and can be attached to the cage much better than a cup can be inserted
through a side door, and the cage may be cleaned out without detaching the
bottom, as is usually required.
The sides of base A. serve to prevent the bird from throwing gravel or food that
may be on the bottom of the cage, or scattering water outside the cage, and by
placing the seed cups in the sides of the closed base the bird is compelled to go into
the bottom to eat and drink. In Figure 2 the cup C and stand o are shown as
formed of metal, and connected to a base A of ordinary character. The cup C fits
around the opening closely, and is secured by stud pins p and clips q, Figure 2.
If preferred the cup may extend up into the cage, so that the base closes the
opening; is a ring fitting in the opening of the cage bottom, and projecting
upward a short distance to prevent the seed and other matters dropping on the
bottom from falling into the bath; and s is a removable cover to the cup on which
to make a sand bag in the bottom of the cage if desired, said bottom being supported
on an offset s' made in the cup for that purpose. This cover a may be stored away
in base o as shown when not in use, in which position it may be secured by a
spring o¹. To preserve the seed used for food, save it from waste, and protect it
from rats and mice, and also hold it at all times in readiness for supplying the
feed cups, I make use of a seed reservoir or supply receptacle attached or con-
nected with the cage. In Figures 3 and 4 the reservoirs is shown connected to the
cage.
8
D is the reservoir, which may be of any suitable shape, dimensions, and material,
either plain or ornamental as desired. It is preferably made of sheet metal as being
less liable to break than glass, and of such dimensions as to be connected with a cage
either by suspension above it or interposition below it between the cage and base
without being out of proper proportion with relation to the size of the cage. The
reservoir D is shown of oval or oblong spheroidal shape, and is provided with a
flaring mouth or neck a¹ resembling the neck of a bottle. It is suspended by
pivots b¹, b', in a frame E of elliptical form which may be of cast or wrought metal
or other suitable material. By this arrangement of the reservoir in the frame its
upright position will be maintained by gravity, while at the same time it is capable
of being tipped when desired in order to pour out the contents as shown in
Figure 3.
The frame E may be provided with means for suspending it from a hook or for
supporting it upon a table or other surface, either alone or in connection with a
cage, or it may be provided with means for securing it between the bottom of a
cage and the stand or foot which supports the same. As here shown it is provided
with a chain c by which it may be supported from a hook or other projection, and
also provided at its lower end with a hook d' by means of which the cage is
suspended from it as shown in Figure 4. It is also shown as provided with screw
caps or ferrules 1, 2, by which it can be interposed between the bottom of a cage
and the supporting stand or foot. In Figure 3 the cage is shown as provided with
a bathing cup C attached to the bottom as before described, and with a supporting
stand or foot 2, which two parts are shown as attached and detachable by means
of screw threaded collars or caps.

page_text: When used in this connection the reservoir D is interposed between the cup C
and stand i¹, and attached thereto by connecting the screw caps or ferrules 1, 1³,
to the screw threaded parts of the cup and stand respectively.
If desired the frame E may be provided with a permanent foot or stand, and also
be permanently attached to the bottom of the cage. In whatever manner the
reservoir be used in connection with the frame as described it may be readily tipped
or tilted in order to pour out the contents.
When it is desired to use the reservoir alone or suspend a cage from it, the
frame E may be dispensed with and a chain attached to neck a³, so that the
reservoir may be suspended like an ordinary gold fish globe, and the cage suspended
from a hook 13 attached to the bottom of D.
The reservoir may be arranged to be held in place in the frame by various means
other than pivots, as, for example, by springs or by engaging with a socket in the
frame or stand.
In Figure 5 the seed supply box or reservoir D is shown as rigidly connected
to base A. In this case the reservoir is made in the form of a sphere having
its upper side formed as a screw neck ¹, that enters a screw socket m² formed on
the bottom of base A, so that D is held rigidly in place, but may be removed for
filling. At the lower side of D is an opening n¹ covered by a spring valve p¹ that is
to be opened by a knob q¹. When the reservoir D is attached to the cage so as to be
removed at will it may be filled through the neck k¹, and the seed cups filled by
the same opening, and when the reservoir is rigidly attached to the cage, the
opening n¹ serves as a convenient means for filling the seed cups.
In place of the socket m¹ there may be a nut, pin, frame-work, or projection that
will permit the attachment of the bird cage to an ornamental stand, and the reservoir
may be formed with a flat bottom or flaring edge to support the cage and prevent
it from tipping over.
If the neck of the reservoir is made of irregular form it could be attached to the
cage by slipping into or over a socket, or over or into a projection on the cage
bottom, and be made fast with springs, buttons, set screws, or other simple devices,
but it is preferred to use the screw socket on the cage bottom as described, which
construction permits the removal of the reservoir when desired and the attachment
of the cage to an ornamental or other stand or support.
The perches t are supported by a wire u that passes lengthwise through the
perch and projects into the standards c in line of the perch, as shown in Figure 5,
or the wires may be bent upward, as in Figure 1, in the form of a compound
curve at each end of the perch. In this last named case the point of attachment of
wire u to standards c is above the perch and the bird will not be able to stand on
the perch near enough to force the wires d apart in endeavouring to escape between
them.
Having described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent, is,—
1st. A bird cage body made in detachable parts and arranged to be held in its
complete integral form by a tension exerted upon its wire substantially as and for
the purpose described.
2nd. The combination of the slotted standards c, c, base ring g, top ring B, and
tension wires d formed with spiral coils and arranged to hold the parts together.
3rd. The combination of the base A, ring g, and top ring B formed with pins,
hooks, or projections, the tension wire d formed with spiral coils and connected to
the pins, hooks, or projections of rings g and B, and the slotted standards c;
substantially as described and shown and for the purposes set forth.
4th. A bird cage having the openings for the bath, tub, and other cups, and
for the ingress and egress of the bird located in the bottom, and the said tub
or cup or its support contrived to fasten in and form the closing device of said
opening, substantially as specified.
5th. The combination with the base A of a bird cage having its bottom"

page_text: formed with an opening of the glass or metal cup C or 01 attached to the
bottom by lugs, pins, or similar fastenings, and so as to cover the opening,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6th. In a bird cage the base or bottom A formed with closed sides extending
upward, as set forth and for the purposes described.
7th. The base A for bird cages formed with openings to receive the feed cups L,
Bubstantially as set forth.
8th. In a bird cage the base or bottom A formed with closed sides extending
upward and connected to the base ring g by pins, lugs, or other devices that
permit detachment of the base, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9th. The combination and arrangement in connection with the base A, having
openings k, as described, of the spiral springs m, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
10th. A seed reservoir provided with means for suspending it and for suspending
a bird cage from it, substantially as described and shown.
11th. In combination with a seed reservoir a supporting frame provided with
means for attaching it to a bird cage, and to the stand or foot which supports the
frame, substantially as shown and described.
12th. In combination with a seed reservoir a supporting frame provided with
means for suspending it and suspending a bird cage from it, substantially as herein
described.
13th. The combination with a bird cage of a seed box or reservoir, the reservoir
being attached rigidly by a screw or other connection to the bottom of the cage,
substantially as set forth.
14th. The reservoir D adapted for rigid connection to a bird cage and
provided with an opening n¹ and valve, as set forth and for the purposes
described.
15th. In a bird cage the base or bottom A provided with a screw socket mor
equivalent device, whereby it may be connected to a seed reservoir, base, or stand,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
16th. The perch t and its bent supporting wire u in combination with a bird
cage, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
17th. The combination with the base or bottom A of a bird cage of a bathing
cup adapted for attachment to the cage bottoin, and for the connection to it of
the sub-base or stand o, substantially as described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.