Patent Document

BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This version of the invention is concerned with the field of bird suet dispensers. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with a bird suet dispenser allowing songbirds and woodpeckers access to suet stored therein while preventing unwanted birds access to suet stored therein.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     Bird feeders are available in a wide variety of designs, shapes, and configurations so as to provide bird food for numerous songbirds, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and the like. Generally, bird feeders hold and dispense three basic types of bird feed: 1) loose bird feed, such as black sunflower seeds; 2) solids or cakes, such as suet or seed cakes, available in various shapes, such as square blocks or cylinders; and 3) liquid bird feed, such as sugar or flavored water for hummingbirds. A basic design consideration of any bird feeder is how to make the bird food stored therein available for the intended birds while shielding the bird food from unwanted birds or other animals, such as squirrels, raccoons, or other unwanted animals. For instance, some bird feeders are designed or can be modified with shields, domes, and the like to prevent squirrels from reaching the bird feeder. Similarly, other bird feeders are constructed with a relatively small perch or perch area to prevent unwanted birds from using the bird feeder, such as jays, crows, grackles, starlings, or birds that travel in flocks.  
         [0003]     Starlings can present a particular problem when attempting to provide bird food to songbirds and woodpeckers. Starlings travel in large flocks and will descend upon a feeding area or bird feeder in great numbers, disturbing and chasing away feeding birds. In addition, starlings at smaller numbers are still problematic, as they possess an aggressive temperament and will intimidate the more docile songbirds and woodpeckers.  
         [0004]     The subject of the instant invention introduces a bird suet dispenser along with a training basket that stores suet and other feed cakes therein, making access to said bird food available to certain desired birds, such as songbirds and woodpeckers, while preventing access of said bird food to starlings and other pest birds. The bird suet dispenser overcomes the disadvantages of previous designs by introducing a novel suet dispenser that can be adapted to acclimate and train in conjunction with the training basket a variety of desired birds to feed from said dispenser while excluding unwanted and disruptive birds.  
       DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     Numerous designs for bird feeders have been provided in the prior art. Even though these designs may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present version of the invention as such designs are intended for use with loose bird seed, either with a conventional bird feeder or a bird feeder attempting to limit access to certain, desired birds. Furthermore, such designs, while limiting access of bird food to certain, desired birds, do so in a manner that makes the bird food difficult to obtain and do not provide adequate transition from completely open access to limited access. These designs are exemplified by the following patents:  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,842, Access Limiting Bird Feeder, issued to Schlising on 20 Mar. 1979;  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,337, Bird Feeder With Rotatable Cover, issued to Kilham on 31 Jul. 1984;  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,686, Selective Bird Feeder, issued to Furlani on 3 Mar. 1987;  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,382, Bird Feeder Apparatus, issued to Morrison on 17 Nov. 1992;  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,455, Bird Excluding Technique, issued to Johnson on 22 Mar. 1994;  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,503, Bird Feeder Protector, issued to Hibbard on 29 Mar. 1994; and  
         [0000]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,878, Bird Feeder, issued to Coulter on 2 Jan. 1996.  
         [0006]     As illustrated by the background art, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to develop bird feeders for various birds, especially bird feeders that limit access of bird food to certain, desired birds. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a new and improved bird suet dispenser that can be adapted over time from providing complete and open access to bird food stored therein to providing limited access, allowing only certain, desired birds to find and reach said bird food. As necessary, the bird suet dispenser also provides a transitional or training period for said desired birds to become acquainted with bird suet available in limited access. In doing so, the bird suet dispenser does not overly restrict or interfere with the ability of said birds to find and reach bird suet stored therein. In these respects, the present version of the invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus that substantially fulfills this need. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed herein.  
         [0007]     The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     The present version of the invention, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, relates to the field of bird suet dispensers. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with a bird suet dispenser allowing songbirds and woodpeckers access to suet stored therein while preventing unwanted birds access to suet stored therein. My version of the invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in addition to novel aspects that will be described in detail hereinafter.  
         [0009]     Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment, the invention presents a selective bird suet dispenser that is comprised in part of a hollow cylindrical member having first and second opposed ends. First and second opposed apertures are located within the cylindrical member proximate to the first or top end thereof, and eight indentations are located within said cylindrical member at the second or bottom end thereof. A conically-shaped bottom cap is attached to the bottom end of the cylindrical member, said bottom cap having a central aperture and eight rods extending angularly from the a bottom rim of the bottom cap. The rods terminate at attachment to the cylindrical member within cooperating indentations, said rods forming a circular pattern commensurate with the diameter of the bottom end of the cylindrical member. Eight spaces or open areas are located between the rods, allowing access to the interior of the cylindrical member. A threaded fastener is disposed within the central aperture of the bottom cap and extends therefrom for some distance below said bottom cap.  
         [0010]     First and second spacers are disposed within said first and second apertures of the cylindrical member, and first and second pins are disposed in respective first and second spacers. A portion of the shank of each pin extends beyond a cooperating fastener away from exterior sidewall of said cylindrical member, and an aperture is located within said portion of shank of each pin extending beyond cooperating fastener.  
         [0011]     A cylindrical top cap is located on the first or top end of the cylindrical member. First and second projections are located on opposed sides of the top cap, said projections each having a central aperture therein. An elongate, looped handle with first and second ends is attached to the top cap and pins located within cooperating spacers and apertures of the cylindrical member. First and second ends of the handle are disposed within apertures of cooperating projections of the top cap and apertures of cooperating pins located within the cylindrical member. In this manner, the top cap can be detached from the cylindrical member, sliding along opposed ends of the handle and rotated with respect to the cylindrical member by means of the handle pivoting in response to said pins rotating within respective fasteners located within respective apertures of the cylindrical member.  
         [0012]     A conically-shaped hood is slidingly attached to the exterior of the cylindrical member. A flange is located at the first or top end of the hood and makes direct contact with the cylindrical member. A clamp with opposed ends that receive a threaded fastener is fitted over the flange. The clamp can be tightened or loosened as necessary by the threaded fastener to exert or release pressure upon the flange so as to allow repositioning of the hood upon the cylindrical member.  
         [0013]     An elongate, cylindrical perch is attached to the under side of the bottom cap. The perch at one end thereof contains a bore, which receives the threaded fastener extending below the bottom cap. A series of rings is located upon the exterior of the perch, each ring separated by a groove.  
         [0014]     The cylindrical member, caps, hood, and clamp are comprised of material that is light weight, rigid, and impervious to corrosion and oxidation, such as various non-ferrous metals, plastics, fiberglass, composite materials, and the like. The perch is comprised of material appropriate for birds to land and perch thereon, such as various hardwoods configured with either a natural, textured surface or one that is machined smooth.  
         [0015]     To use the selective bird suet dispenser, the top cap is removed from the cylindrical member as described previously, and a cylindrically-shaped section of bird suet or seed cake is inserted into the interior of said cylindrical member. The bird suet rests upon the conically-shaped bottom cap of the cylindrical member, and access to the bird suet is provided by the eight open areas or spaces between said eight rods extending from bottom cap and attached to second or bottom end of the cylindrical member. The bird suet dispenser is then hung upon a tree branch, bird feeder post, or the like. During initial use of the bird suet dispenser, the hood is located proximate to the first or top end of the cylindrical member so as to provide maximum exposure of the suet cake located between the bottom end of the cylindrical member and bottom cap and between eight rods extending from said bottom cap. As desired songbirds and woodpeckers become acclimated with the bird suet dispenser, the hood can be lowered upon the cylindrical member until the suet is completely shielded from view of starlings and pest birds. The songbirds and woodpeckers, trained to recall that suet is available through the openings of the bottom cap of the cylindrical member, will land upon the perch and climb up the perch until reaching the suet. In the meantime, the suet will be completely shielded from view of starlings and other pest birds.  
         [0016]     If necessary, a training basket is used to train songbirds and woodpeckers to use the bird suet dispenser or to assist in the transition from complete access to the suet to limited access to said suet. The training basket is comprised of a basket proper with openings, a handle pivotally attached at the top side of said basket proper, and a perch attached to the bottom side of said basket proper. A section of bird suet or feed cake is inserted into the basket proper, and the training basket is hung by the handle upon a tree branch, bird feeder post, or the like. The basket with openings reveals the bird suet or feed cake to a greater degree than the cylindrical member, attracting desired songbirds and woodpeckers to land upon the perch and climb up the perch to reach exposed bird suet or feed cake.  
         [0017]     My invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.  
         [0018]     In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0019]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0020]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.  
         [0021]     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0022]     Accordingly, it is an object of my version of the invention to provide a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture, and easy-to-market selective bird suet dispenser.  
         [0023]     A further object of my version of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use and versatile selective bird suet dispenser.  
         [0024]     A significant object of the invention is to provide a selective bird suet dispenser that is comprised of a hollow cylindrical member having first and second opposed ends; an elongate, looped handle pivotally attached to the cylindrical member at the first or top end thereof; a top cap slidingly attached to said handle and located upon first or top end of said cylindrical member; a bottom cap with openings, said bottom cap attached to the cylindrical member at the second or bottom end thereof; an elongate cylindrical perch secured to the under side of said bottom cap; and a hollow cone slidingly attached to exterior of said cylindrical member, said cone able to be repositioned at various locations upon said cylindrical member to adjust access to suet stored within said cylindrical member and exposed though openings of said bottom cap.  
         [0025]     A final but very significant object of the invention is to provide a selective bird suet dispenser that stores suet bird food and provides access to said bird suet for certain, desired songbirds and woodpeckers while preventing access of said bird suet to certain pest birds without restricting the ability of said desired birds to find and reach bird suet stored therein and, as necessary, allowing said desired birds to be trained and acquainted with bird suet available in limited access.  
         [0026]     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a bird suet dispenser in accordance with the present version of the invention, illustrating the constituent components thereof.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bird perch for use with said bird suet dispenser in accordance with the present version of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bird suet dispenser assembled for use in accordance with the present version of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a training basket in accordance with the present version of the invention.  
     
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0000]    
       
           10  Selective Bird Suet Dispenser  
           12  Cylindrical Member  
           14  Top End  
           16  Bottom End  
           18  Sidewall  
           20  Interior Area  
           22   a  Aperture  
           22   b  Aperture  
           24  Indentation  
           26   a  Spacer  
           26   b  Spacer  
           28   a  Pin  
           28   b  Pin  
           30   a  Aperture  
           30   b  Aperture  
           32  Bottom Cap  
           34  Aperture  
           36  Rod  
           38  Opening  
           40  Fastener  
           42  Threaded Shank  
           44  Fastener Top  
           46  Top Cap  
           48   a  Projection  
           48   b  Projection  
           50   a  Aperture  
           50   b  Aperture  
           52  Handle  
           54   a  First End  
           54   b  Second End  
           56   a  Bent Section  
           56   b  Bent Section  
           58  Hood  
           60  Top End  
           62  Bottom End  
           64  Flange  
           66  Interior Area  
           68  Clamp  
           70  First End  
           72  Second End  
           74  Aperture  
           76  Threaded Fastener  
           78  Nut  
           80  Perch  
           82  Top End  
           84  Bottom End  
           86  Projection  
           88  Bore  
           90  Ring  
           92  Training Basket  
           94  Basket  
           96  Top End  
           98  Bottom End  
           100  Opening  
           102  Rim  
           104   a  Projection  
           104   b  Projection  
           106   a  Aperture  
           106   b  Aperture  
           108  Handle  
           110   a  First End  
           110   b  Second End  
           112   a  Bent Section  
           112   b  Bent Section  
           114  Bottom Sidewall  
           116  Washer  
           118  Fastener  
           120  Threaded Shank  
           122  Fastener Top  
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Description  
       [0101]     Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIG. 1  wherein there is illustrated a typical embodiment of the selective bird suet dispenser  10 . The present version of the invention  10  consists of a hollow, cylindrical member  12  having a top end  14 , an opposed bottom end  16 , and a continuous sidewall  18  located between said top  14  and bottom  16  ends. The top end  14 , bottom end  16 , and sidewall  18  enclose a hollow or interior space or area  20 . A first aperture  22   a  is located within the sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12  proximate to the first end  14  thereof, and a second aperture  22   b  is located within the sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12  proximate to the first end  14  thereof and opposite to the first aperture  22   a . Eight indentations  24  are located at the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12 , said indentations  24  spaced in equidistant sequence. In this version of the invention, the cylindrical member  12  is approximately 9 inches in length between top  14  and bottom  16  ends thereof and has an outside diameter of approximately 2 inches.  
         [0102]     A first spacer  26   a  is aligned for insertion into the first aperture  22   a  of the cylindrical member  12 , and a second spacer  26   b  is aligned for insertion into the second aperture  22   b  of the cylindrical member  12 . Similarly, a first pin  28   a  is aligned for insertion into the first spacer  26   a , and a second pin  28   b  is aligned for insertion into the second spacer  26   b . An aperture  30   a  is located within the shank of the first pin  28   a , and an aperture  30   b  is located within the shank of the second pin  28   b.    
         [0103]     A bottom cap  32 , aligned for attachment to the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12 , is conical in shape and possesses an aperture  34  located at the top or apex thereof. Eight rods  36  are connected at first ends thereof to the bottom cap  32  at the bottom rim thereof and extend therefrom for some distance at X angle. A space  38  is located between any two rods  36 , resulting in eight spaces  38  between the eight rods  36 . The second, unattached ends of the rods  36  form a circular pattern, commensurate with the diameter of the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12 . The bottom cap  34  is attached to the cylindrical member  12  at the bottom end  16  thereof by inserting the unattached ends of the rods  36  into cooperating indentations  24  at the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12 . The unattached ends of the rods  36  can be secured within cooperating indentations  24  by various means, such as welding, soldering, frictional engagement, and the like. In this version of the invention, the bottom cap  34  at the bottom rim thereof has a diameter of approximately 1.25 inches.  
         [0104]     A cylindrical fastener  40  with threaded shank  42  and round top  44  is aligned for insertion into the aperture  34  of the bottom cap  32 . When the fastener  40  is fully inserted though the aperture  34 , the fastener  40  rests upon the top  44  thereof over the aperture  34  with the threaded shank  42  thereof extending for some distance below said bottom cap  32 .  
         [0105]     A cylindrical top cap  46  is aligned for releasable attachment to the cylindrical member  12  over the top end  14  thereof. First  48   a  and second  48   b  opposed projections are located on opposed sides of the top cap  46 . The first projection  48   a  contains an aperture  50   a , and the second projection  48   b  contains an aperture  50   b.    
         [0106]     An elongate, looped handle  52  is aligned above the top cap  46 . The handle  52  consists in part of a first end  54   a , and a second opposed end  54   b . The first end  54   a  terminates with a bent section  56   a  that extends at X angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the first end  54   a , and the second end  54   b  terminates with a bent section  56   b  that extends at X angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the second end  54   b . The handle  52  is secured to the top cap  46  by inserting first  54   a  and second ends  54   b  thereof into cooperating apertures  50   a ,  50   b  of respective projections  48   a ,  48   b  of said cap  46 . First  56   a  and second  56   b  bent sections impinging against respective projections  48   a ,  48   b  prevent respective first  54   a  and second  54   b  ends of the handle  52  from completely sliding out of respective apertures  50   a ,  50   b , thus retaining the handle  52  to the top cap  46 .  
         [0107]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a conically-shaped hood  58  is aligned for sliding attachment to the cylindrical member  12  over the continuous sidewall  18  thereof. The hood  58  is comprised of a narrower top end  60  and an opposed, wider bottom end  62 . A circular flange  64  is located at the top end  60  and extends therefrom from approximately one-half inch. The hood  58  encloses a hollow, interior space  66  extending from the top of the flange  64  to the bottom end  62  of said hood  58 . In this version of the invention, the hood  58  traverses a distance of approximately 5.75 inches between top  60  and bottom  62  ends thereof and has a diameter of approximately 5.75 inches at the bottom end  62  thereof. The flange  64  has an inside diameter of approximately 2 inches.  
         [0108]     A clamp  68 , aligned over the flange  64 , terminates with first  70  and second  72  ends. Each end  70 ,  72  of the clamp  68  has a centrally-located aperture  74  therein. A threaded fastener  76  is aligned for insertion through said apertures  74  to receive a nut  78 . When the clamp  68  is positioned over the flange  64 , the clamp  68  can be tightened by the threaded fastener  76  and nut  78  to constrict the flange  64  over the continuous sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12 , thus retaining the hood  58  at a particular location upon the sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12 .  
         [0109]     The cylindrical member  12 , caps  32 ,  46 , hood  58 , and clamp  68  are comprised of material that is light weight, rigid, and impervious to corrosion and oxidation, such as various non-ferrous metals, plastics, fiberglass, composite materials, and the like.  
         [0110]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , therein illustrated is a perch  80  for attachment to the bird suet dispenser  10  at the bottom cap thereof  32 . The perch  80  is cylindrical in shape and is defined by a top end  82  and an opposed bottom end  84 . A disc-shaped projection  86  is located at the top end  82  and extends therefrom for some distance. A cylindrical bore  88  is located centrally within the projection  86  and top end  82  of the perch  80 . The length and diameter of the bore  88  is commensurate with the length and diameter of the threaded shank  42  of the fastener  40  disposed within the aperture  34  of the bottom cap  32  of the cylindrical member  12 . A series of rings  90  is formed onto the exterior surface of the perch  80 , said rings  90  extending downward from the top end  82  of the perch  80 . Each ring  90  is separated by a groove of approximately 0.25 inch. In this version of the invention, the perch  80  is approximately 16-17 inches in length traversing the distance from the top end  82  to the bottom end  84  thereof and having a diameter of approximately 1.5 to 1.75 inches. The number of rings  90  can vary; in this version of the invention, 19 rings  90  are located on the perch  80 . The perch  80  is comprised of material appropriate for birds to land and perch thereon, such as various hardwoods configured with either a natural, textured surface or one that is machined smooth.  
         [0111]     In  FIG. 3 , the bird suet dispenser  10  is illustrated as fully assembled and ready for use. The bottom cap  32  (shown in phantom line) is attached to the cylindrical member  12  at the bottom end  16  thereof in the manner described previously with ends of the rods  36  of the bottom cap  32  secured within cooperating indentations  24  at the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12 . As a result, eight spaces or openings  38  are located between the bottom end  16  of the cylindrical member  12  and bottom rim of the bottom cap  32 . The perch  80  is attached to the underside of the bottom cap  32  by inserting the threaded shank  42  of the fastener  40  ( FIG. 1 ) through the aperture  34  of the bottom cap  32  and into the bore  88  of the perch  80  wherein said shank  42  engages the sidewall of the bore  80 .  
         [0112]     The top cap  46  is fitted over the top end  14  of the cylindrical member  12  with first  54   a  and second  54   b  opposed ends of the handle  52  disposed through cooperating apertures  50   a ,  50   b  of respective projections  48   a ,  48   b  of the cap  46 . The top cap  46  is secured to the top end  14  of the cylindrical member  12  by first  54   a  and second  54   b  opposed ends of the handle  52  extending through cooperating apertures  30   a ,  30   b  of respective pins  28   a ,  28   b , said pins  28   a ,  28   b  disposed within respective spacers  26   a ,  26   b  located within respective apertures  22   a ,  22   b  of the cylindrical member  12 . With the handle  52  secured to the pins  28   a ,  28   b  as such, the top cap  46  can be disengaged from the top end  14  of the cylindrical member  12  by pulling the top cap  46  off the cylindrical member  12  and sliding the projections  48   a ,  48   b  of the top cap  46  over respective ends  54   a ,  54   b  of the handle  52  until top cap  46  clears the top end  14  of the cylindrical member  12 . At this point, the top cap  46  and handle  52  can be pivoted upon the pins  28   a ,  28   b  away from the top end  14  of the cylindrical member  12 , said movement made possible by the pins  28   a ,  28   b  rotating within respective spacers  26   a ,  26   b  disposed within respective apertures  22   a ,  22   b  of the cylindrical member  12 . Removing the top cap  46  and rotating the top cap  46  and handle  52  will provide unobstructed access to the interior area  20  of the cylindrical member  12  as needed to insert or replace a suet cake (not shown). When a suet cake is inserted within the interior area  20  of the cylindrical member  12 , said cake rests upon the top or apex of the bottom cap  32 , and access to said suet cake is provided by the eight spaces  38  separated by eight rods  36  of the bottom cap  32 .  
         [0113]     The hood  58  is slidingly attached to the continuous sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12  at various locations thereon. The clamp  68  is fitted over the flange  64  of the hood  58  and tightened as described previously to constrict the flange  64 , thereby causing the flange  64  to frictionally engage cooperating section of the sidewall  18  of the cylindrical member  12 . The hood  58  can be raised or lowered upon the cylindrical member  12  by loosening the threaded fastener  76  and nut  78 , thereby releasing clamp pressure exerted upon the flange  64 , and sliding the hood  58  up or down upon the cylindrical member  12  as desired.  
         [0114]     A training basket  92  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The training basket  92  is designed to acclimate birds to the bird suet dispenser  10 . The training basket  92  is comprised of a basket  94  proper, said basket  94  defined in part by a top end  96  and a bottom end  98 . The basket  94  has an opening  100  at the top end thereof  96 , said opening  100  providing access to the interior of said basket  94 . A rim  102  is located at the top end of the basket  94  and contains on opposed sides thereof a first projection  104   a  and a second projection  104   b . The first projection  104   a  has a central aperture  106   a , and the second projection  104   b  has a central aperture  106   b.    
         [0115]     In this version of the invention, the basket  94  is approximately 9 inches in length from the top end  96  to the bottom end  98  and possesses a diameter of approximately 2 inches. It  94  is comprised of hardware cloth or similar material having a weave density of approximately one-half inch.  
         [0116]     A looped handle  108  is connected to the basket  94  at the top end  96  thereof, said handle  108  comprised in part of first  110   a  and second  110   b  opposed ends. The first end  110   a  terminates with a bent section  112   a  that extends at X angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the first end  110   a , and the second end  10   b  terminates with a bent section  112   b  that extends at X angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the second end  110   b . The handle  108  is secured to the top end of the basket  94  by inserting first  110   a  and second ends  110   b  thereof into cooperating apertures  106   a ,  106   b  of respective projections  104   a ,  104   b  located on said rim  102 . First  112   a  and second  112   b  bent sections impinging against respective projections  104   a ,  104   b  prevent respective first  110   a  and second  110   b  ends of the handle  108  from completely sliding out of respective apertures  106   a ,  106   b , thus retaining the handle  108  to the basket  94 .  
         [0117]     A bottom sidewall  114  is located at the bottom end  98  of the basket  94 , and a washer  116  is located centrally upon said sidewall  114 . A fastener  118  with threaded shank  120  and rounded top  122  is disposed centrally within said washer  116 . The threaded shank  120  of the fastener  118  extends for some distance below the bottom sidewall  114  of the basket  94 . The perch  80  can be attached to the underside of the bottom sidewall  114  of the basket  94  by inserting the threaded shank  120  of the fastener  118  into the bore  88  of the perch  80  wherein said shank  120  engages the sidewall of the bore  80 .  
         [0118]     During use of the training basket  92 , a perch  80  is secured at the bottom of the basket  94  proper upon the fastener as described previously, and a suet cake (not shown) is inserted into the interior of the basket  94  through the opening  100  thereof. The training basket  92  is hung upon the handle  108  from a tree branch, bird feeder post, or the like. Songbirds and woodpeckers will land and climb up or down the perch  80 , eventually pulling suet through the one-half inch openings of the basket  94  weave. This exercise will acclimate songbirds and woodpeckers to using the perch  80  and pulling suet from between a defined or enclosed area, not unlike the openings  38  between the rods  36  of the bottom cap  32  of the suet dispenser  10 .  
         [0119]     Before using the suet dispenser  10 , any suet dispensers or feeders existing in the feeding location intended for the suet dispenser  10  are removed. The suet dispenser  10  can be hung from a tree branch, bird feeder post, or the like before use of the training basket  92 , or feeding can begin with the training basket  92 , depending upon the birds&#39; initial reaction to the suet dispenser  10 .  
         [0120]     When the opportunity has arrived for using the suet dispenser  10 , said dispenser  10  is hung from the handle  52  thereof upon a tree branch, bird feeder post, or the like in a location suitable for attracting desired birds. Initially, the hood  58  is positioned high upon the cylindrical member  12  with the flange  64  and clamp  68  proximate to the pins  28   a ,  28   b  so as to allow most access to the suet exposed by openings  38  of the bottom cap  32 . As songbirds and woodpeckers become acclimated with the suet dispenser  10 , climbing up and down the perch  80 , the hood  58  can be lowered until bottom  62  of hood  58  is level with top of openings  38 . Over time the hood  58  can be lowered in increments until the bottom  62  of the hood  58  is level at the junction of bottom of cap  32  and top  82  of the perch  80 . The openings  38  (and suet exposed by said openings) are mostly obscured from view, and only the songbirds and woodpeckers that have become acclimated with use of the suet dispenser  10  will continue to use the suet dispenser  10  for feeding. Pest birds, such as starlings, will avoid the suet dispenser  10  as the openings  38  and suet available through said openings  38  are mostly obscured from view, the space under the hood  58  for retrieving the suet is relatively confined, and the only way for birds to reach said openings  38  and suet made available by said openings  38  is to climb up or down the perch  80 , all of which function to keep starlings from using the suet dispenser  10 .  
         [0121]     While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
       CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION  
       [0122]     From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved bird suet dispenser has been provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the version of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiment thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1