Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/789,809, filed Apr. 5, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the feeding and caring of birds, and more specifically, to a combination birdfeeder and fountain for providing food and water for drinking and bathing. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The benefits associated with birdfeeders and birdbaths or fountains are well known. Bathing is one of the essential needs birds have, alongside eating, drinking, shelter, and nesting. Bathing keeps the bird&#39;s feathers clean and flexible, and maintains the bird&#39;s skin and plumage in good order. Birds generally migrate to natural bodies of water such as streams, ponds, lakes, or puddles provided for in the wild. Many bird enthusiasts and bird watchers have encouraged birds to gather in the vicinity of their residential abode or home by providing the birds with food, water, and/or shelter. Many birdfeeders or birdbaths have been developed in the past for providing either food or water but typically not both in combination. The lack of providing both food and water in one convenient location often results in the birds traveling elsewhere to supplement one of the needed provisions. 
   The conventional birdfeeders or birdbaths have many drawbacks that make the use of such devices impractical. One drawback is that because of the fact that a bird feeder and a birdbath serve two different purposes, an intended user is forced to purchase and install two separate units thus increasing costs, and space. Another drawback is that many birdfeeders or birdbaths include complex integrated parts such as valves, floats, or level controls that makes assembly or disassembly difficult or frustrating. Convenient disassembly is desired because it permits a user to easily clean or maintain the birdfeeder or birdbath. Further, many devices are often exposed to the elements, such as rain or snow, subjecting the bird food to undue moisture making it less appealing and inedible to birds. Still other drawbacks include birdfeeders or birdbaths that are bulky, heavy, and provide no means of illumination for allowing the birds to easily locate food and water in the evening hours. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a compact combination birdfeeder and fountain that is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and maintenance, is inexpensive to manufacture and purchase by reducing the costs of having to purchase separate units, and provides pleasant ornamental features. There is also a need for a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly that can be easily transported and stored, includes a means of illumination for allowing birds to access the apparatus at night, and provides a single station for allowing birds to eat and bathe. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly that is easy to assemble or disassemble, provides nourishment to birds in the form of food and water for drinking and bathing, and includes a means for illuminating the assembly at night. Moreover, the overall construction of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly provides a single, compact unit that includes durable structural features designed to shield the bird food from moisture. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a birdfeeder and birdbath assembly, the birdfeeder and birdbath assembly comprising in combination a feeder unit including a base having at least one food receiving compartment, a dispenser including at least one dispensing orifice, where the base and the dispenser are attached together to form a reservoir for holding bird food. A top is detachably connected to the dispenser for sealing the food within the reservoir. A lighting cone housing a means for illuminating, and including a fountain dispensing plate is attached to the base. The combination birdfeeder and birdbath further includes a fountain unit including a basin reservoir for holding water, a fountain base, and a fountain cone housing a pump and tubing assembly, one end of the fountain cone is attached to an end of the lighting cone, and another end of the fountain cone is disposed within the basin reservoir so that the pump and tubing assembly is in fluid communication with the water. 
   Preferably, the at least one dispensing orifice includes a plurality of dispensing orifices, and the at least one food receiving compartment includes a plurality of food receiving compartment, each dispensing orifice being in communication with a corresponding food receiving compartment. In addition, the top extends outwards over the base to shield the food held within each food receiving compartment, and any birds perched on the base from rain, and snow. 
   Preferably, the lighting cone and the fountain cone each comprise an inverted funnel-shaped member, each funnel-shaped member comprising equal or different lengths and diameters. 
   Advantageously, the combination birdfeeder and birdbath includes a lighted ornamental device attached to the top, and the means for illuminating and the lighted ornamental device comprises any one of light bulbs, fiber optics, neon lights, solar powered lights, LEDS, or optical generators, having the same color or a variety of different colors. 
   In operation, the lighted ornament device, the means for illuminating and the pump are electrically connected to a power source to illuminate the birdfeeder and birdbath assembly at night. The pump is operated to circulate water upwards from the basin reservoir through the tubing assembly to direct water to drip from the dispensing plate into the basin reservoir by gravity. The power source includes any one of an AC source, a DC source such as one or more batteries, or one or more solar cells. 
   Optionally, the combination birdfeeder and birdbath includes a heating device that is electrically connected to the power source for generating heat to warm the birdfeeder and birdbath assembly. 
   The invention includes a method of providing food and water to birds. In one embodiment the first step is constructing a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly, the assembly comprising a feeder unit including a base having at least one food receiving compartment, a dispenser including at least one dispensing orifice, the base and the dispenser being attached together to form a reservoir for holding bird food, and a top including a lighted device where the top detachably connected to the dispenser for sealing the food within the reservoir. A lighting cone housing a means for illuminating, and including a fountain dispensing plate is attached to a one end of the lighting cone. 
   A fountain unit is also constructed and includes a basin reservoir for holding water, a fountain base, and a fountain cone housing a pump and tube assembly. 
   The invention includes a method of assembling the combination birdfeeder and birdbath. In assembly, another end of said lighting cone is attached to the base, and the one end to a first end of the fountain cone, and wherein a second end of the fountain cone is disposed within the basin reservoir so that the pump and tubing assembly is in fluid communication with the water wherein the feeder unit, the cones and the fountain base are assembled together in vertical orientation. 
   The method of providing food and water to birds also includes the step of securing the combination birdfeeder and birdbath on a planar surface, via, the fountain base, or alternatively hanging the combination birdfeeder and birdbath from a hanger. A further step includes placing bird food within the reservoir such that the food passes through the at least one dispensing orifice to rest within the at least one food receiving compartment, and detachably connecting the top to the dispenser, and then filling the basin reservoir with water. 
   The method of providing food and water to birds further includes the step of electrically connecting the lighted device, the means for illuminating and the pump to a power source to illuminate the birdfeeder and birdbath assembly at night, and to circulate water upwards from the basin reservoir through the tubing assembly to direct water to drip from the dispensing plate into the basin reservoir by gravity. 
   Regarding the embodiments described herein, as well as those covered by the claims, the elements of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath may be fabricated from any one of glass, plastic, ceramic, cement, wood, fiberglass or any combination thereof. The dispenser may or may not be transparent for allowing a user to view the contents stored therein. The cones may or may not also be transparent. In addition, the combination birdfeeder and birdbath may be configured to include a variety of shapes and sizes and may or may not be permanently assembled. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 . shows a perspective view of a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2 . shows a perspective view of a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows an elevation view of a combination birdfeeder and birdbath assembly, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, introducing internally located functional features. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The appended figures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular embodiments, features, or elements. Specific structural and functional details, dimensions, shapes, or configurations disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention. 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are represented by like numerals throughout, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a combination birdfeeder and birdbath or fountain  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  comprises a feeding unit  200 , an illuminating unit  300 , and a fountain unit  400 . The units  200 ,  300 ,  400 , are detachably assembled together to form the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100 . 
   The feeding unit, generally denoted at  200 , includes a food dispenser  210  that is releasably attached to a feeder base  212 . The feeder base  212  and food dispenser  210  couple together to define a storage reservoir for holding food  800  for birds. The feeder base  212  includes at least one food receiving compartment  220  for receiving food  800  that is dispensed from the storage reservoir of the food dispenser  210 , by gravity. The at least one food receiving compartment  220  may comprises a single annular food compartment having a predefined depth, or a plurality of individual food compartments each compartment having a predefined depth and separated from each other by dividers. The feeder base  212  further includes a feeding surface  230  forming the outside perimeter of feeder base  212  for allowing birds to perch themselves on the feeder base  212  while eating or resting. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , food dispenser  210  includes a plurality of dispensing openings  214  where each dispensing opening  214  is in communication with a corresponding food compartment  220 . Each dispensing opening  214  is shaped and sized to provide a controlled release of bird food  800  into each food receiving compartment  220 . The food dispenser  210  is sized to provide a predetermined storage capacity to hold a desired amount of bird food  800  to reduce the need of constant replenishment. It will be noted that the food dispenser  210  may or may not be transparent for allowing a person to see the contents therein. 
   A feeder top  216 , overhang or awning is releasably attached to the food dispenser  210  for sealing the bird food  800  within the storage reservoir of the food dispenser  210 . The feeder top  216  has a sloped superior surface  218  that extends outwards over the feeder surface  230  of the feeder base  212  for sheltering birds that perch on the feeder surface  230  of the feeder base  212 , and/or the food  800  that is disposed within each food compartment  220 , from the elements such as rain or snow. The feeder top  216  is releasably attached to food dispenser  210  by any means known in the art including, but not limited to, threads, screws, snap-like features, a bayonet connection, magnets, hinges, clamps, clips, nuts and bolts, or the like. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the illuminating unit  300  includes a lighting cone  310  including a hollow central opening for housing a means for illuminating the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  at night or in the early morning hours where there is limited daylight. The lighting cone  310  comprises an inverted funnel-like member that includes a first end, and a second end having a larger diameter than the first end. The lighting cone  310  further includes a fountain dispensing plate  312  for water  700  to cascade down into a basin reservoir  428 . The dispensing plate  312  may be molded integrally with the lighting cone  310  or attached separately to the second end of the lighting cone  310 . To further enhance the ornamental features of the combination birdfeeder and fountain  100 , the lighting cone  310  may or may not be transparent or alternatively include a variety of different colors. 
   The means for illuminating may include any suitable lighting devices known in the art including, but not limited to, light bulbs, fiber optics, solar powered lights, LEDS, or neon lights. Alternatively, the means for illuminating may comprise a non-electrical means of illuminating such as optical reflectors, magnifiers, chemiluscent sticks, or glow sticks, or any other suitable lighting device. In addition, the means for illuminating may or may not comprise a variety of different colors for enhancing the ornamental design of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fountain unit  400  includes a fountain base  420 , and a basin  422  having an annular sidewall  430  integrally formed with a basin bottom  432  for defining a basin reservoir  428 . The basin reservoir  428  is dimensionally configured to hold a predetermined amount of water  700  for allowing one or more birds  600  to drink from or bathe in. The basin  422  may be molded integrally with the fountain base  420  or alternatively, the basin  422  may be detachably coupled to the fountain base  420  as a separate unit to form the fountain unit  400 . The fountain base  420  provides structural stability for supporting the feeding unit  200 , cones  310 ,  410 , basin  422 , water  700  and any birds  600  thereabout. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the fountain unit  400  also includes a fountain cone  410  comprising an inverted funnel-like member having a first end and a second end having a diameter that is larger than the first end. The fountain cone  410  houses a pump  440  and tubing assembly  442 . A first end of fountain cone  410  is attached to dispensing plate  312 , and a second end of the fountain cone  410  is affixed within the center of the basin  422  so that the pump  440  and tubing assembly  442  are in fluid communication with the basin reservoir  428  for pumping or cycling water  700  from the basin reservoir  428  through the fountain cone  410 , via, the tubing assembly  442 . The water  700  cascades from the fountain dispensing plate  312  and drips into basin reservoir  428 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structural elements of the fountain cone  410  preferably utilizes the standard method of recycling water in fountains. In the preferred embodiment, the means for pumping includes a small water pump that may pump on a continuously or intermittent basis over predetermined timed intervals. 
   To enhance both the ornamental features of the present invention and to provide additional illumination to the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100 , a lighted ornament  500  is disposed on the outer surface of feeder top  216 . The lighted ornament  500  comprises any configuration, figure, character, number, or letter, and houses a lighting device that may include any one of light bulbs, fiber optics, solar powered lights, LEDS, optical reflectors or magnifiers, chemiluscent sticks, glow sticks, neon lights or any other suitable lighting devices known in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the lighted ornamental device  500  comprises a lighted device in the shape of a bird so as to compliment the intended use of the combination birdfeeder and fountain  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a combination birdfeeder and fountain assembly  100 , according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The elements, features, dimensions, —and configurations defining the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  as described in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  above, are the same as the elements, features, dimensions, and configurations as illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , except for an alternative lighting ornament  605 . The combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  of  FIG. 2 , includes an alternative lighted ornament  605  that replaces the lighted ornament  500  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The lighted ornament  605  includes a stem  610  having a lighted element  612  disposed at a distal end of the stem  610  for providing more light to the feeding unit  200 , and fountain unit  400  of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100 . One end of stem  610 , opposite the end including lighted element  612 , is attached to the outer surface of feeder top  216 . The stem  610  may comprise a rigid or flexible member comprising any one of plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic or glass. 
   It should be noted to those skilled in the art that a variety of lighting sources may be provided for the lighted ornament  605 . 
   The combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  may further include a heating element (not pictured) for keeping the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  warm in the winter months. The heating element may be used to generate heat to warm the birds  600 , and/or to melt any ice that may build-up or accumulate on the surface of the birdfeeder and birdbath  100 . The heating element  446  may be disposed on any surface of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100 , and may comprise any one of electric resistance wire, carbon heater, resistors, heating tape, an electric heater, or the like. 
   The lighted ornament  500 ,  605 , means for illuminating, and water pump  440  are electrically coupled to a power source  444  that comprises an AC or DC power source such as a standard home AC outlet, or one or more batteries. An alternative power source may comprise one or more solar cells for converting light into electrical power. Further, the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  may also include electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the lighted ornament  500 ,  605 , means for illuminating and/or water pump  440 . The electronic circuitry may include timers, pulsing circuits, programmable features, converters, or the like. 
   The elements of the present invention may be fabricated from any strong, durable, material including a natural or synthetic material, fiberglass, acrylic, glass, plastic, hard rubber, ceramic, metal, cement, concrete, wood or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the combination birdfeeder and fountain  100  may comprise a lightweight material, and include a means for hanging the device from a tree or post where the means for hanging may include brackets, wires, rope, clips, clamps, hangers, or any other suitable means for securely hanging the birdfeeder and fountain  100 . 
   In assembly and use, the combination birdfeeder and fountain  100  is assembled such that the feeding unit  200 , illuminating cone  300 , and fountain unit  400  are releasably attached together using any one of threads, screws, clips, posts, nuts and bolts, snap-together features, clamps, lugs, adhesive, glue, cement, nails, or any combination thereof. The food dispenser  210  is attached to feeder base  212  so that each dispensing opening  214  formed within the food dispenser  210  is in communication with each food receiving compartment  220 . Bird food  800  is disposed within the storage reservoir  222  of the food dispenser  210  allowing the food  800  to flow through each dispensing opening  214  into each food compartment  220 . The feeder top  216  is releasably attached to the food dispenser  210  sealing the bird food  800  within the storage reservoir. The fountain base  420  of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  is placed on a planar surface, or alternatively, the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  is hung from a tree, the eaves of a house, a pole, or other suitable position where birds  600  are safe from predators in general. The basin reservoir  428  is filled with an appropriate amount of water  700 , and power is provided to the lighted ornament  500 ,  605 , means for illuminating and water pump  440  to light the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  during evening hours, and to circulate the water from the basin reservoir  428  up through the fountain cone  410  to cascade from the fountain dispensing plate  312  and into basin  422 . 
   One or more birds  600  stands on the feeding surface  230  to rest or to eat the dry food  800  that has been dispensed from the feed dispenser  210  into each food compartment  220 . The sloped superior surface  218  of feeder top  216  is configured to shield both the food  800  and any birds  600  present from the elements. Further, one or more birds  600  may optionally bathe within the basin reservoir  428  of the fountain unit  400  without having to leave the abode to seek water  700  elsewhere. Birds may fully enjoy the use of the combination birdfeeder and birdbath  100  during evening hours as a result of the lighted ornament  500 ,  605  and means for illuminating. 
   It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined and intended by the following claims.

Technology Category: 1