GB2293082A

GB2293082A - Bird cage perch

Info

Publication number: GB2293082A
Application number: GB9418669A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Gardiner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1994-09-16
Publication date: 1996-03-20
Also published as: GB9418669D0

Abstract

A perch 2 for a bird cage 4 comprises a perching portion 14 and a mounting portion 16 for mounting the perch 2 on the horizontal bars 6 of the bird cage 4 at a position between the vertical bars 8, the mounting portion 16 having first and second spaced apart apertures 18, 20 which engage different ones of the horizontal bars 6 such that the perch 2 is able to be stably mounted on the bird cage without having to deform the bars and such that the perch is able to be positioned inside or outside the bird cage. Other mounting configurations are shown in Figs. 5, 10 and 11. <IMAGE>

Description

A PERCH FOR A BIRD CAGE This invention relates to a perch for a bird cage.

Bird cages are usually formed to have horizontal and vertical cage bars. Perches for such bird cages are traditionally in the form of a single pole which is mounted inside the bird cage and which extends from one side of the bird cage to the other side. Fitting of the pole to the bird cage usually involves bending and misshaping the bars of the bird cage. The single pole is only able to be mounted inside the bird cage and it cannot be mounted outside the bird cage.

Perches for bird cages are also known in which the perches are designed to fit specific sized cages. These perches do not usually lend themselves to being transferred to other types of cages.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a perch for a bird cage, which perch does not suffer from the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a perch for a bird cage, which bird cage has horizontal and vertical bars, and which perch comprises a perch portion for a bird, and a mounting portion for mounting the perch on the horizontal bars of the bird cage at a position between the vertical bars of the bird cage, the mounting portion having first and second spaced apart apertures which engage different ones of the horizontal bars such that the perch is able to be stably mounted on the bird cage without having to deform the horizontal bars or the vertical bars, and such that the perch is able to be positioned inside or outside the bird cage.

Generally, the perch of the present invention is able to fit all types of bird cages having horizontal and vertical cage bars, irrespective of the size of the bird cages. The perch is advantageous in that it can be used inside or outside the cage. When used inside the bird cage, the perch does not completely bisect the bird cage as in the case of the traditional pole perch, and thus the perch of the present invention does not take up excess space and restrict the freedom of a bird in the bird cage. Because the perch can be fitted to the outside of a bird cage, it can be used to provide a perching point for a bird which is let out of its cage.

The perch can easily be fitted on different types of cages so that it can be transferred from cage to cage if a bird cage is replaced with another one. If desired, several of the perches can be used together, for example inside and/or outside the bird cage. If desired, where several of the perches are employed, they can be employed in a step wise manner to form a stairway for a bird.

Usually, the perch will be one in which the first aperture is positioned higher than the second aperture when the perch is in use on the bird cage.

Preferably, the perch is one in which the first and the second spaced apart apertures are respectively positioned in first and second edge parts of the mounting portion, and in which the first and second edge parts are at right angles to each other.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the perch is one in which the first spaced apart aperture is one of a plurality of apertures in the first edge part, and in which the apertures are all open mouthed apertures.

The provision of the plurality of apertures enables uthe perch easily to be fitted at various desired vertical levels to the bird cage. Preferably there are three of the first spaced apart apertures but more or less of the first spaced apart apertures may be employed. The spaced apart apertures are preferably right angled apertures but other shaped apertures may be employed.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the perch is one in which the first spaced apart aperture is the only aperture in the first edge part, and in which the aperture is an open mouthed aperture. The aperture is preferably a right angled aperture but other shaped apertures may be employed.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the perch is one in which the first spaced apart aperture is the only aperture in the first edge part, and in which the aperture is a closed aperture formed by an apertured part of the mounting portion and an apertured part of the perch.

Usually, the second spaced apart aperture will be the only aperture in the second edge part. If desired however two or more of the second spaced apart apertures may be employed.

The second spaced apart aperture may be a recess.

Alternatively, the second spaced apart aperture may be a slot. Other shapes may be employed for the second spaced apart aperture.

The perch portion preferably has a curved upper surface. Preferably, the perch portion is substantially circular in cross section. Other cross sectional shapes for the perch portion may however be employed.

Preferably, the mounting portion is a flat sided mounted portion which is thinner than the perch portion.

The mounting portion may have a lower edge which extends upwardly from the second spaced apart aperture towards that end of the perch portion which is remote from the first aperture.

The perch portion may be separately formed from the mounting portion. Alternatively, the perch portion may be formed as a single member in which the perch portion and the mounting portion are integrally connected together. When the perch portion is separately formed from the mounting portion, then the perch portion is preferably a slide on fit to the mounting portion. The perch portion may however be fitted to the mounting portion by clipping or any other suitable and appropriate means.

The perch may be made of a plastics material, wood or a metal. Where a plastics materials is employed, the perch may be moulded to shape.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first perch being fitted to a bird cage; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the perch shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are respectfully side and top plan views of a mounting portion of the perch shown in Figure 2; FIgure 5 is a side view of a second perch; Figures 6 and 7 are respectively side and top plan views of a mounting portion of the perch shown in Figure 5; Figures 8 and 9 are respectively side and end views of a perch portion of the perch shown in Figure 5; Figure 10 is a side of a third perch; Figures 11 and 12 are respectively side and top plan views of a mounting portion of the perch as shown in Figure 10; and Figure 13 and 14 are respectively side and end views of a perch portion of the perch as shown in Figure 10.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown a perch 2 for a bird cage 4. The cage 4 has horizontal bars 6 and vertical bars 8. The cage 4 also has a top 10 and a bottom 12.

The perch 2 comprises a perch portion 14 for receiving a bird, and a mounting portion 16 for mounting the perch 2 on the horizontal bars 6 of the bird cage 4 at a position between the vertical bars 8 of the bird cage 4. The mounting portion 16 has first apertures 18 and a second aperture 20. One of the first apertures 18 and the second aperture 20 are such as to engage in different ones of the horizontal bars 6 such that the perch 2 is able to be stably mounted on the bird cage 4 without having to deform the horizontal bars 6 or the vertical bars 8. The first and second spaced apart apertures 18, 20 are also such that the perch 2 is able to be positioned inside or outside the bird cage 4.

As can be seen, the first apertures 18 are all higher than the second aperture 20 when the perch 2 is in use on the bird cage 4. The first apertures 18 are positioned in a first edge part 22 of the mounting portion 16. The second aperture 20 is positioned in a second edge part 24 of the mounting portion 16. The first and the second edge parts 22, 24 are at right angles to each other.

As can be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 3 the first spaced apart apertures 18 are all open mounted apertures which extend at right angles to form open mouthed right angled apertures. As can also be seen, the second spaced apart aperture 20 is the only aperture in the second edge part 24, and the second aperture 20 is in the form of a recess.

The perch portion 14 is such that it has a curved upper surface 26. The perch portion 14 is substantially circular in cross section.

The mounting portion 16 has flat sides 28 and it is thinner than the perch portion 14. The mounting portion 16 has a lower edge 30 which extends upwardly as shown from the second spaced apart aperture 20 towards that end of the perch portion 14 which is remote from the first apertures 18.

The perch portion 14 is separately formed from the mounting portion 16. If desired however, the perch portion 14 and the mounting portion 16 can be integrally formed together, for example by moulding when the perch 2 is made of a plastics material.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 9, there is shown a second perch 2 in which similar parts as in Figures 1 to 4 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. It will be seen from Figures 5 to 9 that the mounting portion 16 only has one of the first apertures 18. In other respects the perch 2 shown in Figures 5 to 9 is generally the same as the perch 2 shown in Figures 1 to 4. The curved cross sectional shape of the perch portion 14 will be noticed from Figure 9. Figure 9 also shows how the perch portion 14 is provided with a slot 32 along its length for enabling the perch portion 14 to slide on top of the mounting portion 16 to occupy the position shown in Figure 5. In this position as shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that the perch portion 14 fits between upstanding parts 34, 36 of the mounting portion 16.

Referring now to Figures 10 - 14, there is shown a third perch 2 in which similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals. In the third perch 2 shown in Figures 10 - 14, it will be seen that the first aperture 18 is formed as a closed circular hole 38. The hole 38 is the only aperture in the first edge part 22. The hole 38 is formed by a recessed part 40 in the mounting portion 16 and a slot 42 in the perch portion 14. As can also be seen from Figures 10 and 11, the second aperture 20 is in the form of a slot.

All of the perches 2 shown in the drawings can be fitted inside or outside the bird cage 4. Two or more of the perches 2 can be fitted inside or outside of the bird cage 4 as may be desired. Where two or more of the perches 2 are employed, they can be positioned adjacent one another to make a stairway. The perches 2 can be changed from bird cage to bird cage and they can fit a wide variety of bird cages.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompany drawings have been given by way of example and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the cross sectional shape of the perch portion 14 may be different to that shown. Also, the shape of the mounting portion 16 may be different to that shown.

Claims

1. A perch for a bird cage, which bird cage has horizontal and vertical bars, and which perch comprises a perch portion for a bird, and a mounting portion for mounting the perch on the horizontal bars of the bird cage at a position between the vertical bars of the bird cage, the mounting portion having first and second spaced apart apertures which engage different ones of the horizontal bars such that the perch is able to be stably mounted on the bird cage without having to deform the horizontal bars or the vertical bars, and such that the perch is able to be positioned inside or outside the bird cage.

2. A perch according to claim 1 in which the first aperture is positioned higher than the second aperture when the perch is in use on the bird cage.

3. A perch according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the first and the second spaced apart apertures are respectively positioned in first and second edge parts of the mounting portion, and in which the first and second edge parts are at right angles to each other.

4. A perch according to claim 3 in which the first spaced apart aperture is one of a plurality of apertures in the first edge part, and in which the apertures are all open mouthed apertures.

5. A perch according to claim 4 in which there are three of the first spaced apart apertures.

6. A perch according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the spaced apart apertures are right angled apertures.

7. A perch according to claim 3 in which the first spaced apart aperture is the only aperture in the first edge part, and in which the aperture is an open mouthed aperture.

8. A perch according to claim 7 in which the aperture is a right angled aperture.

9. A perch according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first spaced apart aperture is the only aperture in the first edge part, and in which the aperture is a closed aperture formed by an apertured part of the mounting portion and an apertured part of the perch.

10. A perch according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second spaced apart aperture is the only aperture in the second edge part.

11. A perch according to claim 10 in which the second spaced apart aperture is a recess.

12. A perch according to claim 10 in which the second spaced apart aperture is a slot.

13. A perch according to any one of the preceding claims in which the perch portion has a curved upper surface.

14. A perch according to claim 13 in which the perch portion is substantially circular in cross section.

15. A perch according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting portion is a flat sided mounting portion which is thinner than the perch portion.

16. A perch according to claim 15 in which the mounting portion has a lower edge which extends upwardly from the second spaced apart aperture towards that end of the perch portion which is remote from the first aperture.

17. A perch according to any one of the preceding claims in which the perch portion is separately formed from the mounting portion.

18. A perch according to any one of claims 1 - 16 in which the perch portion is formed as a single member in which the perch portion and the mounting portion are integrally connected together.

19. A perch for a bird cage, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.