1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bird feeder devices and more particularly pertains to a new bird feeder device for supporting a solid mass of seeds shaped into the form of a bell and defining a bird feeder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of bird feeder devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,877 describes a device for holding a plurality of bird seeds within a housing and having a plurality of bird perches thereon. Another type of bird feeder device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,708 having an upwardly extending post thereon which may be extended upwardly into a bird bell type bird feeder. Yet another bird feeder is U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,600 which again defines a housing for holding bird seed.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a better support for bird bells which are seeds held together in the shape of a bell so that birds may freely pick the seeds away from the bell but which retains seeds so that many are not lost as often happens with loose seeds placed within a conventional bird feeder. Typical supports for such bird bells do not include a housing for protecting the bird bell from the elements nor do they offer bird perching capabilities. For this reason, such a support is needed that can protect the bird bell from the elements and offer bird perches. An additional advantage would be the capability to hang the bird bell so that it is spaced from the ground.
The present invention meets the needs presented above generally comprises a base having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge. Each of a pair of legs has a first and a second end. The first ends are each attached to the base such that each of the legs extends upwardly from the base. Each of the legs is arced such that the second ends abut each other and an inner perimeter edge of the legs is defined. A coupler is adapted for removably securing a bird feeder to the pair of legs such that the bird feeder is suspended between the legs.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
Each of a pair of legs 20 has a first 22 and a second end 24. Each of the first ends 22 is attached to the base 12 such that each of the legs 20 extends upwardly from the base 12. Each of the legs 20 is arced such that the second ends 24 abut each other and an inner perimeter edge 26 of the legs 20 is defined. The inner perimeter edge 26 has a generally bell-shaped configuration. This includes generally upwardly extending portions 28, an inwardly extending arc 30 followed by an upwardly extending arc 32 and then finishing with an inwardly extending arc 34 so that that to legs 20 come together as shown in
A coupler 36 is adapted for removably securing the bird feeder 8 to the pair of legs 20. The coupler 36 preferably comprises a hook that is attached to and extends downwardly from a juncture of the second ends 24 of the legs 20. The bird feeder 8 typically has a loop thereon so that the bird feeder 8 may be attached to the legs 12 such that the bird feeder 8 is suspended between the legs 20.
A cover 40 is attached to an outer perimeter edge 42 of the legs 20 such that the cover 40 extends over the base 12. The cover 40 preferably includes a pair of plates 44 joined along a common edge 46. Each of the plates 44 is angled downward from the common edge 46.
Each of a pair of ridges 48 is attached to and extends upwardly from the base 12. Each of the ridges 48 is positioned adjacent to the peripheral edge 18. The ridges 48 are positioned oppositely with respect to each other on the base 12. The ridges 48 form bird perches.
A securing member 50 is attached to the cover 40 and extends upwardly therefrom. The securing member 50 is adapted for releasably securing the cover 40 to a tether 52. The securing member 50 is preferably a hook or loop.
A second embodiment is shown in
In use, the bird feeder 8 is hung from the coupler 36 so that it is easily accessible to birds. The support 10 is then preferably hung from a tree branch or other implement positioned above the ground.
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.
Therefore, 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.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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D56280 | Forbes | Sep 1920 | S |
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1794718 | Little | Mar 1931 | A |
2133637 | Shulman | Oct 1938 | A |
2783155 | Haug | Feb 1957 | A |
3151600 | Crouch et al. | Oct 1964 | A |
3503372 | Saurer | Mar 1970 | A |
D224823 | Roberts | Sep 1972 | S |
4331104 | Clarke | May 1982 | A |
4958595 | Richman et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
5033708 | Brue et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5063877 | Riggi | Nov 1991 | A |
D329509 | Burleigh | Sep 1992 | S |
6024047 | Hoogland | Feb 2000 | A |
D426683 | Rogers | Jun 2000 | S |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
613603 | Oct 1979 | CH |
2275408 | Aug 1994 | GB |
WO 9407360 | Apr 1994 | WO |