US20140076239A1 - Two-in-one finch bird feeder - Google Patents
Two-in-one finch bird feeder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140076239A1 US20140076239A1 US13/619,008 US201213619008A US2014076239A1 US 20140076239 A1 US20140076239 A1 US 20140076239A1 US 201213619008 A US201213619008 A US 201213619008A US 2014076239 A1 US2014076239 A1 US 2014076239A1
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- Prior art keywords
- insert
- base
- perch
- bird feeder
- set forth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 241000287227 Fringillidae Species 0.000 title description 5
- 241000269799 Perca fluviatilis Species 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 25
- 241000271566 Aves Species 0.000 description 26
- 241000132536 Cirsium Species 0.000 description 5
- 241001504466 Carduelis Species 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 208000028804 PERCHING syndrome Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000287509 Piciformes Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000489526 Sittidae Species 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
- A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
- A01K39/012—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders filling automatically, e.g. by gravity from a reserve
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K31/00—Housing birds
- A01K31/12—Perches for poultry or birds, e.g. roosts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
- A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to bird feeders for attracting and feeding wild birds. More particularly, the present invention concerns a bird feeder having a feed port assembly with a base mounted adjacent a seed reservoir opening in a fixed position and a rotatable insert having a perch fixed thereto that can be locked to the base in two positions. In a first position, the perch is positioned below the seed reservoir opening to allow birds to feed right side up. In a second position, the perch is positioned above the feed port, limiting access to those birds that can feed upside down, such as gold finches.
- Seed dispensing birdfeeders are perhaps the easiest and most popular way of attracting a myriad of wild birds to a particular location for viewing. This is especially so in the winter months when food is scarce.
- seed feeders are suspended from or supported by a pole or post or hung from a tree branch so as to elevate the feeder above the ground and are built to hold and protect the seed from the elements.
- Tube feeders are hollow, cylindrical tubes, often made of plastic, and have multiple feeding stations spaced along the length of the tube.
- feeding stations include a feed port and an adjacent perch, such as a radially extending post, positioned below the feed port to provide the feeding bird with a place to alight and then obtain seed through the port while the bird stands on the perch.
- Feeders intended for gold finches, however, who like to feed while in an upside down position, are made with the perch positioned above the feed port.
- Other birds such as nuthatches, and some varieties of woodpeckers, also like to eat upside down and will do so if a suitable bird supporting structure is available to them.
- Thistle seed is attractive to finches and can be effectively dispensed with a tube feeder having a plurality of feeding stations. However, thistle seed is also attractive to other birds as well. Since thistle seed is one of the more expensive seeds on the market, when a consumer wants to attract gold finches using thistle seed it would be advantageous if other birds could be prevented from also consuming the seed. At other times, however, the consumer may want to use the feeder to dispense other types of seeds without concern for the type of birds that are able to feed. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to the consumer to have a feeder with an adjustable feed port assembly that can be configured to allow birds to feed in either an upright position or an upside-down position.
- the present invention is directed to a bird feeder having a reservoir with a sidewall for holding seed.
- the sidewall includes at least one opening through which birds can access seed held in the reservoir.
- a feed port assembly Connected to the reservoir sidewall within the opening is a feed port assembly that includes a stationary base having a central opening into which is fitted a rotatable insert.
- the central opening in the stationary base is generally about the size of the sidewall opening in the reservoir.
- the insert has a body that largely covers the base central opening to retain seed in the reservoir, while having a plurality of small openings therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed through the openings.
- the insert also has a perch connected thereto that extends from the insert body and is movable therewith as a unit.
- the insert body may also be provided with ornamental features to enhance the appearance of the feed port assembly, such as simulated flower petals or the like.
- the insert When connected to the base, the insert may be adjusted between one of two positions. In a first position, referred to herein as the upright position, the insert is oriented in the base so that the perch is below the sidewall opening in the reservoir. In a second position, referred to herein as the upside down position, the insert is oriented in the base so that the perch is above the sidewall opening. Hence, when the insert is in the upright position, birds access seed through the small openings while standing on the perch. Conversely, when the insert is in the upside down position, birds can access seed through the openings in the body by hanging upside down from the same perch. The consumer is free to position the insert in either position, depending upon which type or types of birds the consumer wants to attract to the feeder for feeding.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding object in which both upright and upside down feeding positions are provided by a single perch that is part of the same feed port assembly.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects in which the feed port assembly includes a stationary base fitted with a movable insert that is integral with or coupled to the perch, the insert with perch being rotatable within the base to move between two positions, an upright position enabling birds to feed standing on the perch and an upside down position requiring the birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects that provides finches with two orientations for feeding, effectively making the feeder a two-in-one finch feeder.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects that is not complex in structure and which can be manufactured at low cost but yet efficiently enables the consumer to change the configuration of the feeder to best attract the type or types of birds desired.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable port bird feeder in accordance with the present invention in which the components of one of the feed port assemblies are shown in an exploded view.
- FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the base for the feed port assemblies shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2B is a side view of the base shown in FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 2C is a front view of the base shown in FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 2D is a rear view of the base shown in FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the insert for the feed port assemblies shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3B is a side view of the insert shown in FIG. 3A .
- FIG. 3C is a rear view of the insert shown in FIG. 3A .
- FIG. 3D is a front view of the insert shown in FIG. 3A .
- FIG. 4A illustrates a feed port assembly as shown in FIG. 1 with a bird feeding thereon in the upright position in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4B illustrates a bird feeding on the same feed port assembly as that shown in FIG. 4A , but now in the upside down position in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable feed port assembly in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5B is a side view of the feed port assembly shown in FIG. 5A .
- FIG. 5C is an exploded perspective view of the components of the feed port assembly shown in FIG. 5A , including a base, an insert and a connecting member.
- FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the base shown in FIGS. 5A-5C .
- FIG. 6B is a side view of the base shown in FIG. 6A .
- FIG. 6C is a rear view of the base shown in FIG. 6A .
- FIG. 6D is a front view of the base shown in FIG. 6A .
- FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the insert shown in FIGS. 5A-5C .
- FIG. 7B is a side view of the insert shown in FIG. 7A .
- FIG. 7C is a top view of the insert shown in FIG. 7A .
- FIG. 7D is a front view of the insert shown in FIG. 7A .
- FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the connecting member shown in FIGS. 5A-C .
- FIG. 8B is a side view of the connecting member shown in FIG. 8A .
- FIG. 8C is a front view of the connecting member shown in FIG. 8A .
- FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member shown in FIG. 8C .
- FIG. 8E is an enlarged view of Detail B shown in FIG. 8D .
- front refers to the side of a component that faces outwardly from the bird feeder when the feed port assembly is assembled onto the reservoir.
- rear refers to the opposite side, namely the side of the component that faces the interior of the reservoir of the bird feeder when assembled.
- the present invention is directed to a bird feeder generally designated by reference numeral 10 .
- the bird feeder has a reservoir generally designated by reference numeral 12 with a side wall 14 for holding seed, a cover 16 and a feeder base 18 .
- the reservoir side wall 14 has at least one reservoir side wall opening 20 that allows for seed access through the side wall of the reservoir. Fitted within the opening is a feed port assembly generally designated by reference numeral 22 .
- the feed port assembly 22 includes a base generally designated by reference numeral 24 with a central opening 26 and a rotatable insert generally designated by reference numeral 28 .
- both the base 24 and the insert 28 are made of a plastic material such as polypropylene, although other suitable plastics could be used.
- the base 24 has a mounting body 30 that is curved to match the generally cylindrical side wall of the reservoir 12 ; such curvature is not required, however, depending upon the shaping of the reservoir.
- the mounting body 30 attaches to the reservoir side wall opening 20 by securing tabs 32 on the base 24 into corresponding notch 34 and opening 35 formed in the sidewall 14 .
- Other means of attachment could also be used as would be known by persons of skill in the art.
- the base 24 thus remains connected in a fixed position with respect to the reservoir sidewall opening 20 both in use and when changing the orientation of the insert relative to the base.
- the base 24 includes a collar generally designated by reference numeral 36 , which projects outwardly and rearwardly from the mounting body 30 .
- the collar 36 has a generally cylindrical sidewall 38 , with the inner diameter of the collar 36 being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the base central opening 26 to form a generally circular lip 40 that is used to secure the insert 28 in the base 24 .
- a plurality of lugs 65 Positioned adjacent and inwardly of the circumference of the lip are a plurality of lugs 65 spaced approximately equidistantly from one another around the lip. In the illustrated embodiment, four lugs are provided.
- the inner surface 42 of the collar is generally cylindrical and has two positioning grooves 44 on opposing sides of the collar sidewall 38 that extend generally perpendicular to the mounting body 30 .
- the rotatable insert 28 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3A-3D .
- the insert 28 includes a body generally designated by reference numeral 50 and a perch 52 .
- the insert may also optionally include ornamental features 54 such as simulated flower petals as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A-3D .
- ornamental features 54 such as simulated flower petals as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A-3D .
- Other ornamental features could be utilized as known to those skilled in the art.
- the body 50 of the insert 28 has an insertion part 56 and a face plate 60 .
- the insertion part 56 includes sidewall 68 which is sized to be at least partly received within the base central collar 36 .
- the front end 58 of the sidewall 68 is covered by the face plate 60 , but the rear end is left open to provide open area (see FIG. 3C ), having direct communication with the central opening 26 in the base 24 and thereby with seed in the reservoir.
- seed in the reservoir can fill the open area 63 inside sidewall 68 through central opening 26 .
- the face plate 60 in the illustrated embodiment is generally circular and includes a plurality of seed accessing holes 64 therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed through the openings 64 .
- the insertion part 56 is generally cylindrical to correspond with the generally cylindrical sidewall of the collar 36 .
- the side wall 68 has a radial channel 66 adjacent its rear end 62 that, in conjunction with the lip, is used to engage the insert 28 with the base 24 . More particularly, the lugs 65 on the inner surface 42 of the collar side wall 38 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C ) are received within the channel 66 and ride therein when the insert is rotated.
- the sidewall 68 of the insertion part 56 is further provided with two detents 72 on opposing sides of the insertion part 56 . The detents 72 are received within the positioning grooves 44 formed on the inner surface 42 of the collar sidewall 38 when the insert is connected to the base.
- the perch 52 is coupled in a fixed relationship to the body 50 or is molded therewith so as to provide a single unitary unit. While shown as a curved member, the perch may be made in a variety of shapes suitable for use by a bird in perching upright or hanging upside down in the manner described herein.
- the insert 28 is adjustable between two positions when coupled to the base 24 : an upright position and an upside down position.
- the perch 52 When the insert is in the upright position, the perch 52 is below the face plate 60 and the seed accessing holes 64 therein as shown in FIG. 4A .
- the perch 52 is above the face plate and seed accessing holes 64 so that birds hang upside down from the perch as shown in FIG. 4B .
- These two positions are essentially 180 degrees apart as defined by the positioning grooves 44 in the collar 36 and the detents 72 on the insertion part 56 .
- the positioning grooves 44 may be defined as including a first positioning groove and an opposing positioning groove for purposes of description; there is no difference between the grooves and either groove can be designated the first positioning groove in which case the other groove is necessarily designated the opposing positioning groove.
- the detents 72 may be defined as including a first detent and an opposing detent for purposes of description; there is no difference between the detents and either detent can be designated the first detent in which case the other detent is necessarily designated the opposing detent.
- the insert 28 is in the upright position when the first detent is aligned with the first positioning groove and the opposing detent is aligned with the opposing positioning groove, and the insert 28 is in the upside position when the first detent is aligned with the opposing positioning groove and the opposing detent is aligned with the first positioning groove.
- the detents 72 while having sufficient engagement within the positioning grooves to hold the insert in either one of the two positions while the feeder is in use, are flexible enough to be pressed inwardly out of the grooves and against the inner surface of the collar when rotational force is applied by the user to rotate the insert 180 degrees to the other of the two positions.
- FIGS. 5A-5C A feed port assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5A-5C .
- the second embodiment of the feed port assembly generally designated by reference numeral 100 , includes a base, generally designated by reference numeral 124 , with a central opening 126 , a rotatable insert generally designated by reference numeral 128 , and a connecting member generally designated by reference numeral 129 .
- both the base 124 and the insert 128 are made of metal, such as zinc, while the connecting member 129 is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene.
- the base 124 has a mounting body 130 that is curved to match the generally cylindrical side wall of the reservoir; such curvature is not required however, depending upon the shaping of the reservoir.
- the mounting body 130 attaches to the reservoir side wall opening 20 by securing tabs 132 on the base into corresponding notch 34 and opening 35 formed in the top of the reservoir sidewall opening and below the opening, respectively. Other means of attachment could also be used as would be known by persons of skill in the art.
- the base remains fixed as mounted on the reservoir sidewall both in use and when the insert is being adjusted.
- the mounting body 130 includes a central collar 136 having a generally cylindrical sidewall 138 .
- the inner surface 142 of the collar 136 is provided with two positioning grooves 144 on opposing sides of the inner surface 142 of the collar sidewall 138 that extend generally perpendicularly to the mounting body. These positioning grooves 144 serve to guide positioning tabs 226 of the connecting member 129 so as to engage the connecting member as coupled to the insert in the desired orientation within the opening 126 of the base 124 .
- the rotatable insert 128 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7A-7D .
- the insert 128 includes a body generally designated by reference numeral 150 and a perch generally designated by reference numeral 152 .
- the insert may also optionally include ornamental features 154 such as simulated flower petals.
- the mounting body 130 of the insert 128 has an insertion part 156 and a face plate 160 .
- the insertion part 156 has a generally cylindrical sidewall 168 and is sized to be received within the base collar 136 .
- the outer end 158 of the insertion part 156 is covered by the face plate 160 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally circular.
- the inner end 162 of the generally cylindrical insertion part 156 is not covered, leaving open area 163 which is in direct communication with the central opening 126 in the base 124 and thereby with seed in the reservoir.
- the face plate 160 includes a plurality of seed accessing holes 164 therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed in the open area 163 through the openings 164 .
- the sidewall 168 of the insertion part 156 is provided with slots 200 on two opposing sides to receive locking tabs on the connecting member 129 (see FIGS. 8A-8E ), as will be described hereinafter.
- the sidewall 168 of the insertion part 156 is also provided with two notches 202 on a second set of opposing sides of the sidewall; the opposing sides of the sidewall having the slots 200 are approximately 90 degrees offset from the second set of opposing sidewalls having the notches 202 .
- the notches 202 provide clearance for the positioning tabs 226 when the feed port assembly is being assembled.
- the perch 152 is coupled to the body 150 in a fixed relationship or formed therewith so as to be movable as a single unit.
- the perch 152 may be made in a variety of shapes suitable for use by a bird in perching upright or hanging upside down in the manner described herein.
- the base 124 and the insert 128 are coupled to one another by the connecting member generally designated by reference numeral 129 which is shown in FIGS. 8A-8E .
- the connecting member 129 has an annular body 210 , a generally flat front surface 212 , a generally flat rear surface 214 , a cylindrical inner wall 216 and a substantially cylindrical outer wall 218 .
- the outer wall 218 includes four cutouts spaced approximately 90 degrees from one another around the circumference of the outer wall 218 . Hence, there are two sets of opposing cutouts, a first set referred to herein as insert positioning tab cutouts generally designated by reference numeral 220 , and a second set referred to herein as locking tab slots generally designated by reference numeral 222 .
- Each of the locking tab slots 222 includes a locking tab generally designated by reference numeral 224 positioned therein and projecting outwardly from the front surface of the body 210 .
- Each locking tab 224 includes an arm 225 and an outwardly directed lip 228 at the end of the arm.
- the arm 225 is generally perpendicular to the body 210
- the lip 228 is generally parallel with the annular body 210 and spaced therefrom by the arm 225 .
- the radial width of the arm 225 is less than the radial width of the annular body 210 so that, even with the locking tabs 224 inserted in the locking tab slots 222 , the arm 225 is inset from the outer circumference of the annular body so that the outermost part of the slot 222 remains as a notch 219 , albeit shallower than the insert positioning tab cutouts 220 .
- the notch 219 is aligned with the outer diameter of the insert surface 170 .
- the insert 128 may be adjusted to be in one of two positions when connected to the base 124 , the two positions being essentially 180 degrees apart so that if the insert is connected to the base in the upright position the perch is below the face plate and the seed accessing holes (see FIG. 4A ) while if the insert is connected to the base in the upside down position, the perch is above the face plate and seed accessing holes (see FIG. 4B ).
- These two positions are defined by the insert positioning tabs 226 in the connecting member 129 which, in cooperation with the notches 202 on the insertion part 156 , are engaged with the grooves 144 in the inner surface 142 of the collar sidewall.
- the feed port assembly 100 is assembled as follows.
- the base 124 is mounted to the seed reservoir by inserting the collar 136 of the base 124 into the reservoir side wall opening 20 , aligning the tabs 132 on the mounting body 30 with the notch 34 and opening 35 in the reservoir side wall and securing the mounting body 130 against the outer surface of the side wall opening by inserting the tabs into the notch and opening.
- the connecting member 129 is coupled to the insert 128 by pressing the front side of the connecting member into the back of the insert until the locking tabs 224 on the connecting member snap into the slots 200 in the opposing sides of the insert, thereby securing the connecting member to the insert.
- the insert positioning tabs 226 extend through the notches 202 on the insert and into the positioning grooves 144 on the base collar 136 .
- the engagement between the insert positioning tabs 226 on the connecting member and the positioning grooves 144 on the base collar 136 holds the insert in the desired right side up or upside down orientation in use.
- the user has only to rotate the insert 180 degrees.
- the positioning tabs 226 while having sufficient engagement within the insert positioning grooves 144 to hold the insert in either one of the two positions while in use, are flexible enough to be pressed inwardly out of the grooves and against the inner surface of the collar when rotational force is applied by the user to rotate the insert 180 degrees to the other of the two positions.
- the consumer is able to use the feeder as strictly a thistle seed gold finch feeder, i.e., with the feed port assembly in the upside down position so that the perch is above the seed access openings and, when and if desired, can easily convert the same feeder into a general access, regular seed type bird feeder in which the perch is positioned below the seed access opening to accommodate not only finches but also birds who feed only from an upright position.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract
A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and an adjustable feed port assembly. The feed port assembly includes a base mounted to the side wall in a fixed relationship thereto and having a central opening in communication with the seed in the reservoir. Fitted to the base is a rotatable insert having a perch coupled thereto in fixed relationship so that the perch and insert rotate as a unit. The insert is rotatable between two positions, an upright position in which the perch is below the base central opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch, and an upside down position in which the perch is above the base central opening, requiring birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.
Description
- The present invention generally relates to bird feeders for attracting and feeding wild birds. More particularly, the present invention concerns a bird feeder having a feed port assembly with a base mounted adjacent a seed reservoir opening in a fixed position and a rotatable insert having a perch fixed thereto that can be locked to the base in two positions. In a first position, the perch is positioned below the seed reservoir opening to allow birds to feed right side up. In a second position, the perch is positioned above the feed port, limiting access to those birds that can feed upside down, such as gold finches.
- Persons have long used bird feeders, birdbaths, and the like to attract birds of various types to their homes, both to view the birds and to feed the birds out of concern for their welfare in the event that food is scarce, as in winter. Different types of feeders have been developed, which each dispense foodstuffs that are preferred by a selected variety of bird that a person might desire to attract. For example, seeds, grains, suets, and nectars are common foodstuffs that can be dispensed by a selected type of feeder.
- Seed dispensing birdfeeders are perhaps the easiest and most popular way of attracting a myriad of wild birds to a particular location for viewing. This is especially so in the winter months when food is scarce. Typically, seed feeders are suspended from or supported by a pole or post or hung from a tree branch so as to elevate the feeder above the ground and are built to hold and protect the seed from the elements.
- There are a variety of seed feeders that have been constructed to attract various species of wild birds. One popular type is the tube feeder. Tube feeders are hollow, cylindrical tubes, often made of plastic, and have multiple feeding stations spaced along the length of the tube. Typically, feeding stations include a feed port and an adjacent perch, such as a radially extending post, positioned below the feed port to provide the feeding bird with a place to alight and then obtain seed through the port while the bird stands on the perch. Feeders intended for gold finches, however, who like to feed while in an upside down position, are made with the perch positioned above the feed port. Other birds such as nuthatches, and some varieties of woodpeckers, also like to eat upside down and will do so if a suitable bird supporting structure is available to them.
- Thistle seed is attractive to finches and can be effectively dispensed with a tube feeder having a plurality of feeding stations. However, thistle seed is also attractive to other birds as well. Since thistle seed is one of the more expensive seeds on the market, when a consumer wants to attract gold finches using thistle seed it would be advantageous if other birds could be prevented from also consuming the seed. At other times, however, the consumer may want to use the feeder to dispense other types of seeds without concern for the type of birds that are able to feed. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to the consumer to have a feeder with an adjustable feed port assembly that can be configured to allow birds to feed in either an upright position or an upside-down position.
- Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a bird feeder having a reservoir with a sidewall for holding seed. The sidewall includes at least one opening through which birds can access seed held in the reservoir. Connected to the reservoir sidewall within the opening is a feed port assembly that includes a stationary base having a central opening into which is fitted a rotatable insert. The central opening in the stationary base is generally about the size of the sidewall opening in the reservoir. The insert has a body that largely covers the base central opening to retain seed in the reservoir, while having a plurality of small openings therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed through the openings. The insert also has a perch connected thereto that extends from the insert body and is movable therewith as a unit. The insert body may also be provided with ornamental features to enhance the appearance of the feed port assembly, such as simulated flower petals or the like.
- When connected to the base, the insert may be adjusted between one of two positions. In a first position, referred to herein as the upright position, the insert is oriented in the base so that the perch is below the sidewall opening in the reservoir. In a second position, referred to herein as the upside down position, the insert is oriented in the base so that the perch is above the sidewall opening. Hence, when the insert is in the upright position, birds access seed through the small openings while standing on the perch. Conversely, when the insert is in the upside down position, birds can access seed through the openings in the body by hanging upside down from the same perch. The consumer is free to position the insert in either position, depending upon which type or types of birds the consumer wants to attract to the feeder for feeding.
- In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful bird feeder having a feed port assembly that is adjustable by the consumer to allow birds to feed in either an upright position or an upside down position.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding object in which both upright and upside down feeding positions are provided by a single perch that is part of the same feed port assembly.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects in which the feed port assembly includes a stationary base fitted with a movable insert that is integral with or coupled to the perch, the insert with perch being rotatable within the base to move between two positions, an upright position enabling birds to feed standing on the perch and an upside down position requiring the birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects that provides finches with two orientations for feeding, effectively making the feeder a two-in-one finch feeder.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects that is not complex in structure and which can be manufactured at low cost but yet efficiently enables the consumer to change the configuration of the feeder to best attract the type or types of birds desired.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable port bird feeder in accordance with the present invention in which the components of one of the feed port assemblies are shown in an exploded view. -
FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the base for the feed port assemblies shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2B is a side view of the base shown inFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 2C is a front view of the base shown inFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 2D is a rear view of the base shown inFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the insert for the feed port assemblies shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3B is a side view of the insert shown inFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 3C is a rear view of the insert shown inFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 3D is a front view of the insert shown inFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 4A illustrates a feed port assembly as shown inFIG. 1 with a bird feeding thereon in the upright position in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 4B illustrates a bird feeding on the same feed port assembly as that shown inFIG. 4A , but now in the upside down position in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable feed port assembly in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5B is a side view of the feed port assembly shown inFIG. 5A . -
FIG. 5C is an exploded perspective view of the components of the feed port assembly shown inFIG. 5A , including a base, an insert and a connecting member. -
FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the base shown inFIGS. 5A-5C . -
FIG. 6B is a side view of the base shown inFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 6C is a rear view of the base shown inFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 6D is a front view of the base shown inFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the insert shown inFIGS. 5A-5C . -
FIG. 7B is a side view of the insert shown inFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 7C is a top view of the insert shown inFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 7D is a front view of the insert shown inFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the connecting member shown inFIGS. 5A-C . -
FIG. 8B is a side view of the connecting member shown inFIG. 8A . -
FIG. 8C is a front view of the connecting member shown inFIG. 8A . -
FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member shown inFIG. 8C . -
FIG. 8E is an enlarged view of Detail B shown inFIG. 8D . - In describing preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
- As used herein, “front” refers to the side of a component that faces outwardly from the bird feeder when the feed port assembly is assembled onto the reservoir. Conversely, “rear” refers to the opposite side, namely the side of the component that faces the interior of the reservoir of the bird feeder when assembled.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , according to a first embodiment the present invention is directed to a bird feeder generally designated byreference numeral 10. The bird feeder has a reservoir generally designated byreference numeral 12 with aside wall 14 for holding seed, acover 16 and afeeder base 18. Thereservoir side wall 14 has at least one reservoir side wall opening 20 that allows for seed access through the side wall of the reservoir. Fitted within the opening is a feed port assembly generally designated byreference numeral 22. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thefeed port assembly 22 includes a base generally designated byreference numeral 24 with acentral opening 26 and a rotatable insert generally designated byreference numeral 28. According to the first embodiment, both thebase 24 and theinsert 28 are made of a plastic material such as polypropylene, although other suitable plastics could be used. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
base 24 has a mountingbody 30 that is curved to match the generally cylindrical side wall of thereservoir 12; such curvature is not required, however, depending upon the shaping of the reservoir. The mountingbody 30 attaches to the reservoir side wall opening 20 by securingtabs 32 on the base 24 into correspondingnotch 34 andopening 35 formed in thesidewall 14. Other means of attachment could also be used as would be known by persons of skill in the art. The base 24 thus remains connected in a fixed position with respect to the reservoir sidewall opening 20 both in use and when changing the orientation of the insert relative to the base. - As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 2A-2D , thebase 24 includes a collar generally designated byreference numeral 36, which projects outwardly and rearwardly from the mountingbody 30. In the illustrated embodiment, thecollar 36 has a generallycylindrical sidewall 38, with the inner diameter of thecollar 36 being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the basecentral opening 26 to form a generallycircular lip 40 that is used to secure theinsert 28 in thebase 24. Positioned adjacent and inwardly of the circumference of the lip are a plurality oflugs 65 spaced approximately equidistantly from one another around the lip. In the illustrated embodiment, four lugs are provided. Theinner surface 42 of the collar is generally cylindrical and has twopositioning grooves 44 on opposing sides of thecollar sidewall 38 that extend generally perpendicular to the mountingbody 30. - The
rotatable insert 28 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 3A-3D . Theinsert 28 includes a body generally designated byreference numeral 50 and aperch 52. The insert may also optionally includeornamental features 54 such as simulated flower petals as shown inFIG. 1 andFIGS. 3A-3D . Other ornamental features could be utilized as known to those skilled in the art. - The
body 50 of theinsert 28 has aninsertion part 56 and aface plate 60. Theinsertion part 56 includessidewall 68 which is sized to be at least partly received within the basecentral collar 36. Thefront end 58 of thesidewall 68 is covered by theface plate 60, but the rear end is left open to provide open area (seeFIG. 3C ), having direct communication with thecentral opening 26 in thebase 24 and thereby with seed in the reservoir. Thus seed in the reservoir can fill theopen area 63 insidesidewall 68 throughcentral opening 26. Theface plate 60 in the illustrated embodiment is generally circular and includes a plurality ofseed accessing holes 64 therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed through theopenings 64. Also in the illustrated embodiment, theinsertion part 56 is generally cylindrical to correspond with the generally cylindrical sidewall of thecollar 36. - The
side wall 68 has aradial channel 66 adjacent itsrear end 62 that, in conjunction with the lip, is used to engage theinsert 28 with thebase 24. More particularly, thelugs 65 on theinner surface 42 of the collar side wall 38 (seeFIGS. 2A and 2C ) are received within thechannel 66 and ride therein when the insert is rotated. Thesidewall 68 of theinsertion part 56 is further provided with twodetents 72 on opposing sides of theinsertion part 56. Thedetents 72 are received within thepositioning grooves 44 formed on theinner surface 42 of thecollar sidewall 38 when the insert is connected to the base. - The
perch 52 is coupled in a fixed relationship to thebody 50 or is molded therewith so as to provide a single unitary unit. While shown as a curved member, the perch may be made in a variety of shapes suitable for use by a bird in perching upright or hanging upside down in the manner described herein. - As already noted, the
insert 28 is adjustable between two positions when coupled to the base 24: an upright position and an upside down position. When the insert is in the upright position, theperch 52 is below theface plate 60 and theseed accessing holes 64 therein as shown inFIG. 4A . Alternatively, when theinsert 28 is in the upside down position, theperch 52 is above the face plate andseed accessing holes 64 so that birds hang upside down from the perch as shown inFIG. 4B . These two positions are essentially 180 degrees apart as defined by thepositioning grooves 44 in thecollar 36 and thedetents 72 on theinsertion part 56. - In particular, the
positioning grooves 44 may be defined as including a first positioning groove and an opposing positioning groove for purposes of description; there is no difference between the grooves and either groove can be designated the first positioning groove in which case the other groove is necessarily designated the opposing positioning groove. Similarly, thedetents 72 may be defined as including a first detent and an opposing detent for purposes of description; there is no difference between the detents and either detent can be designated the first detent in which case the other detent is necessarily designated the opposing detent. Theinsert 28 is in the upright position when the first detent is aligned with the first positioning groove and the opposing detent is aligned with the opposing positioning groove, and theinsert 28 is in the upside position when the first detent is aligned with the opposing positioning groove and the opposing detent is aligned with the first positioning groove. - To change the orientation of the insert from the upright position to the upside position or vice versa, the user has only to rotate the insert 180 degrees. The
detents 72, while having sufficient engagement within the positioning grooves to hold the insert in either one of the two positions while the feeder is in use, are flexible enough to be pressed inwardly out of the grooves and against the inner surface of the collar when rotational force is applied by the user to rotate the insert 180 degrees to the other of the two positions. - A feed port assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 5A-5C . The second embodiment of the feed port assembly, generally designated byreference numeral 100, includes a base, generally designated byreference numeral 124, with acentral opening 126, a rotatable insert generally designated byreference numeral 128, and a connecting member generally designated byreference numeral 129. According to the second embodiment, both thebase 124 and theinsert 128 are made of metal, such as zinc, while the connectingmember 129 is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene. - Like the first embodiment, the
base 124 has a mountingbody 130 that is curved to match the generally cylindrical side wall of the reservoir; such curvature is not required however, depending upon the shaping of the reservoir. The mountingbody 130 attaches to the reservoir side wall opening 20 by securingtabs 132 on the base into correspondingnotch 34 andopening 35 formed in the top of the reservoir sidewall opening and below the opening, respectively. Other means of attachment could also be used as would be known by persons of skill in the art. As in the first embodiment, the base remains fixed as mounted on the reservoir sidewall both in use and when the insert is being adjusted. - As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 6A-6D , the mountingbody 130 includes acentral collar 136 having a generallycylindrical sidewall 138. Theinner surface 142 of thecollar 136 is provided with twopositioning grooves 144 on opposing sides of theinner surface 142 of thecollar sidewall 138 that extend generally perpendicularly to the mounting body. These positioninggrooves 144 serve to guidepositioning tabs 226 of the connectingmember 129 so as to engage the connecting member as coupled to the insert in the desired orientation within theopening 126 of thebase 124. - The
rotatable insert 128 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 7A-7D . As in the first embodiment, theinsert 128 includes a body generally designated byreference numeral 150 and a perch generally designated byreference numeral 152. The insert may also optionally includeornamental features 154 such as simulated flower petals. - The mounting
body 130 of theinsert 128 has aninsertion part 156 and aface plate 160. Theinsertion part 156 has a generallycylindrical sidewall 168 and is sized to be received within thebase collar 136. Theouter end 158 of theinsertion part 156 is covered by theface plate 160 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally circular. Theinner end 162 of the generallycylindrical insertion part 156 is not covered, leavingopen area 163 which is in direct communication with thecentral opening 126 in thebase 124 and thereby with seed in the reservoir. Theface plate 160 includes a plurality ofseed accessing holes 164 therein to allow appropriately sized birds to access seed in theopen area 163 through theopenings 164. - The
sidewall 168 of theinsertion part 156 is provided withslots 200 on two opposing sides to receive locking tabs on the connecting member 129 (seeFIGS. 8A-8E ), as will be described hereinafter. Thesidewall 168 of theinsertion part 156 is also provided with twonotches 202 on a second set of opposing sides of the sidewall; the opposing sides of the sidewall having theslots 200 are approximately 90 degrees offset from the second set of opposing sidewalls having thenotches 202. Thenotches 202 provide clearance for thepositioning tabs 226 when the feed port assembly is being assembled. - The
perch 152 is coupled to thebody 150 in a fixed relationship or formed therewith so as to be movable as a single unit. As with the first embodiment, theperch 152 may be made in a variety of shapes suitable for use by a bird in perching upright or hanging upside down in the manner described herein. - The
base 124 and theinsert 128 are coupled to one another by the connecting member generally designated byreference numeral 129 which is shown inFIGS. 8A-8E . The connectingmember 129 has anannular body 210, a generally flatfront surface 212, a generally flatrear surface 214, a cylindricalinner wall 216 and a substantially cylindricalouter wall 218. Theouter wall 218 includes four cutouts spaced approximately 90 degrees from one another around the circumference of theouter wall 218. Hence, there are two sets of opposing cutouts, a first set referred to herein as insert positioning tab cutouts generally designated byreference numeral 220, and a second set referred to herein as locking tab slots generally designated byreference numeral 222. - Each of the
locking tab slots 222 includes a locking tab generally designated byreference numeral 224 positioned therein and projecting outwardly from the front surface of thebody 210. Eachlocking tab 224 includes anarm 225 and an outwardly directedlip 228 at the end of the arm. Thearm 225 is generally perpendicular to thebody 210, while thelip 228 is generally parallel with theannular body 210 and spaced therefrom by thearm 225. The radial width of thearm 225 is less than the radial width of theannular body 210 so that, even with the lockingtabs 224 inserted in thelocking tab slots 222, thearm 225 is inset from the outer circumference of the annular body so that the outermost part of theslot 222 remains as anotch 219, albeit shallower than the insertpositioning tab cutouts 220. Thenotch 219 is aligned with the outer diameter of theinsert surface 170. - As in the first embodiment, the
insert 128 may be adjusted to be in one of two positions when connected to thebase 124, the two positions being essentially 180 degrees apart so that if the insert is connected to the base in the upright position the perch is below the face plate and the seed accessing holes (seeFIG. 4A ) while if the insert is connected to the base in the upside down position, the perch is above the face plate and seed accessing holes (seeFIG. 4B ). These two positions are defined by theinsert positioning tabs 226 in the connectingmember 129 which, in cooperation with thenotches 202 on theinsertion part 156, are engaged with thegrooves 144 in theinner surface 142 of the collar sidewall. - The
feed port assembly 100 according to the second embodiment is assembled as follows. Thebase 124 is mounted to the seed reservoir by inserting thecollar 136 of the base 124 into the reservoir side wall opening 20, aligning thetabs 132 on the mountingbody 30 with thenotch 34 andopening 35 in the reservoir side wall and securing the mountingbody 130 against the outer surface of the side wall opening by inserting the tabs into the notch and opening. The connectingmember 129 is coupled to theinsert 128 by pressing the front side of the connecting member into the back of the insert until the lockingtabs 224 on the connecting member snap into theslots 200 in the opposing sides of the insert, thereby securing the connecting member to the insert. When the lockingtabs 224 are secured in theslots 200, theinsert positioning tabs 226 extend through thenotches 202 on the insert and into thepositioning grooves 144 on thebase collar 136. The engagement between theinsert positioning tabs 226 on the connecting member and thepositioning grooves 144 on thebase collar 136 holds the insert in the desired right side up or upside down orientation in use. To change the orientation of the insert from the upright position to the upside position or vice versa, the user has only to rotate the insert 180 degrees. Thepositioning tabs 226, while having sufficient engagement within theinsert positioning grooves 144 to hold the insert in either one of the two positions while in use, are flexible enough to be pressed inwardly out of the grooves and against the inner surface of the collar when rotational force is applied by the user to rotate the insert 180 degrees to the other of the two positions. - With the feed port assembly having an
insert 150 andperch 152 that are mounted within a base and rotatable with respect to the base between two positions as described herein, the consumer is able to use the feeder as strictly a thistle seed gold finch feeder, i.e., with the feed port assembly in the upside down position so that the perch is above the seed access openings and, when and if desired, can easily convert the same feeder into a general access, regular seed type bird feeder in which the perch is positioned below the seed access opening to accommodate not only finches but also birds who feed only from an upright position. - Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
Claims (20)
1. A bird feeder comprising:
a seed reservoir having a side wall with at least one opening therein through which birds can access seed held within the reservoir; and
an adjustable feed port assembly including a base and a rotatable insert fitted to said base, said base mounted to the side wall in a fixed position and having a central opening in communication with the opening in the reservoir side wall through which birds can access seed, said insert having a perch coupled thereto so that the insert and the perch are in fixed relationship to one another, said insert being rotatable within the base between two positions, an upright position in which the perch is below the base central opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch and an upside down position in which the perch is above the base central opening requiring that the birds hang upside down from the perch to feed.
2. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said insert is rotated with respect to said base to orient the insert in either said upright position or said upside down position, said insert having a pair of detents that engage with a corresponding pair of grooves on the base to hold the insert in one of said upright or upside down positions when the feeder is in use.
3. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said detents are flexible to be bent inwardly out of the grooves to enable the insert to be rotated within the base until the detents are again engaged with the grooves so that the insert is fixed in either the upright position or the upside down position when mounted to the base.
4. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 2 , wherein reorienting the insert between said upright and upside down positions requires that the insert be rotated about 180 degrees.
5. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the base includes a mounting body fitted within the reservoir sidewall opening and an outwardly projecting collar configured to receive and be coupled to said insert.
6. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said insert includes a body and a perch, said body having an insertion part and a face plate, said insertion part at least partly received within said collar and coupled thereto when the feeder is assembled for use, said face plate positioned on an outer end of said insertion part and having a plurality of holes therein through which birds access seed.
7. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the collar has a generally cylindrical sidewall, an inner surface of said sidewall having two grooves on opposing sides of said sidewall that extend generally perpendicular to the mounting body, said insertion part also having a generally cylindrical sidewall, an outer surface of said sidewall having two detents on opposing sides of the insertion part that engage within said grooves and prevent rotation of said insert when the feeder is in use.
8. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said grooves include a first groove and an opposing groove, and said detents include a first detent and an opposing detent, said insert being in the upright position when said first detent is aligned with said first groove and said opposing detent is aligned with said opposing groove, and said insert being in said upside down position when said first detent is aligned with said opposing groove and said opposing detent is aligned with said first groove.
9. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said insertion part has a radial channel adjacent a rear edge of said insertion part, the inner surface of the sidewall of said base collar having a plurality of lugs that are received and ride within said channel to rotatably secure the insert to the base.
10. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising a connecting member engaged between said insert and said base, said connecting member being configured to be coupled to and rotate with said insert within said base.
11. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said connecting member has a body with two locking tabs positioned on opposing sides of said body and projecting from a front side of said body, said locking tabs being received within two slots formed on opposing sides of the cylindrical sidewall of the insertion part.
12. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said connecting member body further includes two insert positioning tabs on a second set of opposing sides of said body and projecting from said front side, said insert positioning tabs being offset from said locking tabs by about 90 degrees, said insert positioning tabs engaging with said grooves on said collar sidewall to secure the insert in one of the right side up or upside down positions within the base.
13. A bird feeder comprising:
a seed reservoir having a side wall with at least one opening therein through which birds can access seed held within the reservoir; and
an adjustable feed port assembly including a perch fitted within said side wall opening, said feed port assembly having at least one part that is coupled to said perch and rotatable therewith between a first orientation in which the perch is below the reservoir sidewall opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch and a second orientation in which the perch is above the reservoir sidewall opening requiring that the birds hang upside down from the perch to feed.
14. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 13 , wherein said adjustable feed port assembly includes a base mounted to the side reservoir wall in a fixed position and having a central opening in communication with the opening in the reservoir side wall through which birds can access seed, said at least one part including an insert fitted within said base and rotatable with respect to said base between said first and second orientations.
15. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said insert has an insertion part with a generally cylindrical sidewall having a pair of detents that engage with a corresponding pair of grooves on a generally cylindrical inner surface of a collar on said base to hold the insert in one of said first and second orientations when the feeder is in use.
16. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said detents are flexible to be bent inwardly out of the grooves and against the inner surface of the base to enable the insert to be rotated within the base from the first orientation approximately 180 degrees until the detents are again engaged with the grooves with the insert fixed in said second orientation.
17. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said insertion part has a radial channel adjacent a rear edge of said insertion part, the inner surface of the sidewall of said base collar having a plurality of lugs that are received and ride within said channel to rotatably secure the insert to the base.
18. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 15 , further comprising a connecting member engaged between said insert and said base, said connecting member being configured to be coupled to and rotate with said insert within said base.
19. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 18 , wherein said connecting member has a body with two locking tabs positioned on opposing sides of said body and projecting from a front side of said body, said locking tabs being received within two slots formed on opposing sides of the cylindrical sidewall of the insertion part.
20. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 19 , wherein said connecting member body further includes two insert positioning tabs on a second set of opposing sides of said body and projecting from said front side, said insert positioning tabs being offset from said locking tabs by about 90 degrees, said insert positioning tabs engaging with said grooves on said collar sidewall to secure the insert in one of said first and second orientations within the base.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/619,008 US20140076239A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2012-09-14 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
CA2823893A CA2823893A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-08-14 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
GB1316350.6A GB2507865B (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2013-09-13 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
US14/485,141 US9332737B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2014-09-12 | Finch bird feeder with adjustable port access |
US14/749,283 US9265236B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2015-06-24 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
US15/045,961 US9713319B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2016-02-17 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
US15/149,524 US20170064930A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2016-05-09 | Finch bird feeder with adjustable port access |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US13/619,008 US20140076239A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2012-09-14 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
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US14/485,141 Continuation-In-Part US9332737B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2014-09-12 | Finch bird feeder with adjustable port access |
US14/749,283 Continuation US9265236B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2015-06-24 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
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US14/749,283 Active US9265236B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2015-06-24 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
US15/045,961 Expired - Fee Related US9713319B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2016-02-17 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
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US15/045,961 Expired - Fee Related US9713319B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2016-02-17 | Two-in-one finch bird feeder |
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Cited By (4)
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US20140090600A1 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2014-04-03 | Woodstream Corporation | Squirrel resistant dome-shaped bird feeder port |
EP2995197A3 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-04-13 | Woodstream Corporation | Finch bird feeder with adjustable port access |
US20160128307A1 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2016-05-12 | Brome Bird Care Inc. | Multiple compartment bird feeder |
US20230200358A1 (en) * | 2021-02-11 | 2023-06-29 | Woodstream Corporation | Bird Feeder With Mixed Seed Feed Port |
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GB2526558A (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-12-02 | Graham Evans | Port and perch insert for bird feeder |
US10051842B2 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2018-08-21 | Classic Brands, LLC | Bird feeder perch extension |
USD903950S1 (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2020-12-01 | Cixi Huazhijie Plastic Product Co., Ltd. | Bird feeder |
USD975932S1 (en) * | 2021-09-13 | 2023-01-17 | Yaron Levite | Spiral seed feeder |
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- 2012-09-14 US US13/619,008 patent/US20140076239A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2013-08-14 CA CA2823893A patent/CA2823893A1/en active Pending
- 2013-09-13 GB GB1316350.6A patent/GB2507865B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2015-06-24 US US14/749,283 patent/US9265236B2/en active Active
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2016
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US20140090600A1 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2014-04-03 | Woodstream Corporation | Squirrel resistant dome-shaped bird feeder port |
US9414574B2 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2016-08-16 | Woodstream Corporation | Squirrel resistant dome-shaped bird feeder port |
US10098329B2 (en) | 2012-10-01 | 2018-10-16 | Woodstream Corporation | Squirrel resistant dome-shaped bird feeder port |
EP2995197A3 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-04-13 | Woodstream Corporation | Finch bird feeder with adjustable port access |
US20160128307A1 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2016-05-12 | Brome Bird Care Inc. | Multiple compartment bird feeder |
US20230200358A1 (en) * | 2021-02-11 | 2023-06-29 | Woodstream Corporation | Bird Feeder With Mixed Seed Feed Port |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US9265236B2 (en) | 2016-02-23 |
US9713319B2 (en) | 2017-07-25 |
GB2507865B (en) | 2017-10-11 |
GB201316350D0 (en) | 2013-10-30 |
CA2823893A1 (en) | 2014-03-14 |
GB2507865A (en) | 2014-05-14 |
US20160242394A1 (en) | 2016-08-25 |
US20150366167A1 (en) | 2015-12-24 |
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Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION, PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:VAUGHN, WILLIAM RAY, JR.;HOYSAK, JUDITH KIM;REEL/FRAME:029393/0268 Effective date: 20121026 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |