Patent ID: 7740216

Claim:
A support system for suspending a bird feeder, comprising: a first support member having an upper end and a lower end, a second support member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first support member being constructed and arranged to support the second support member; a clamping assembly disposed at the lower end of the first support member, the clamping assembly including an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member, each of the upper and lower clamp members being adjustably and independently spaced apart and further including corresponding apertures for receiving the first support member therein, both of the upper and lower clamp members further including a pair of spaced apart adjustable jaws positioned about the first support member for adjusting the tension on the first support member such that the first support member is moveable within the apertures from a first position to a second position; each pair of jaws defining an adjustable gap therebetween; a fastening mechanism for each pair of jaws and that connects between the pair of jaws across the gap and for securing the jaws in place about the first support member; said clamping assembly being constructed and arranged to be disposed on opposite sides of a support rail from which the clamping assembly is to be held; said upper and lower clamp members each having facing clamping surfaces for positioning at respective opposite sides of said support rail; and further including a tensioning device carried by one of said upper and lower clamp members at said facing surface; said tensioning device being adjustable relative to the clamp member by which it is carried and including a handle end and an opposite gripping end having a bearing surface that directly contacts one side of said support rail; the facing clamping surface of the other one of said upper and lower clamping members directly contacting an opposite side of said support rail.