U.S. patent application number 09/782263 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for wire mesh tubular feeder.
Invention is credited to Bescherer, Robert E..
Application Number | 20010032592 09/782263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26878430 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bescherer, Robert E. |
October 25, 2001 |
Wire mesh tubular feeder
Abstract
An improved bird feeder includes a tubular main body having a
top open end and a bottom open end. The tubular main body is made
of wire mesh material. A bottom cap is attached to the bottom open
end to enclose it. A tubular adapter sleeve is positioned in the
top open end to protect and isolate the commonly sharp and
dangerous top edge of the main body from the user. A top cap is
removably positioned over the adapter sleeve to enclose the feeder
to protect the feeder located therein. The adapter sleeve not only
shields the user from a sharp and dangerous top edge of the mesh
main body but also maintains the mesh main body in its original
shape by avoiding flexing and bending of the mesh material of the
main body.
Inventors: |
Bescherer, Robert E.;
(Bristol, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARLOW, JOSEPHS & HOLMES, LTD.
101 DYER STREET
5TH FLOOR
PROVIDENCE
RI
02903
US
|
Family ID: |
26878430 |
Appl. No.: |
09/782263 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60182799 |
Feb 15, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/51.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 39/0106
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/51.01 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved bird feeder, comprising: a tubular main body having
a top open end and a bottom open end; said top open end including a
top edge and said bottom open end including a bottom edge; said
tubular main body being made of wire mesh material; a bottom cap in
communication with said bottom open end and said bottom edge of
said tubular main body thereby closing said bottom open end; a
tubular adapter sleeve having a circumferential flange with a top
portion positioned above said circumferential flange and a bottom
portion position below said circumferential flange; said tubular
adapter sleeve being positioned in said tubular main body with said
bottom portion of said tubular adapter sleeve being positioned in
said top open end of said tubular main body; said flange being in
communication with said top edge of said top open end of said
tubular main body; and a top cap defining a tubular adapter sleeve
receiving seat; said top cap being removably engageable with said
top portion of said tubular adapter sleeve thereby closing said top
open end of said tubular main body.
2. The bird feeder of claim 1, wherein said bottom cap is secured
to said tubular main body by fasteners.
3. The bird feeder of claim 1, further comprising: a bail wire
connected to said tubular main body.
4. The bird feeder of claim 1, further comprising: a pin, having a
first free end and a second free end, routed through said tubular
main body and said tubular adapter sleeve; a bail wire, having a
first free end and a second free end, routed through opposing first
and second apertures positioned through and defined by said top cap
into respective connection with said first free end of said pin and
said second free end of said pin; said top cap being freely movable
on said bail wire with said first free end of said bail wire and
said second free end of said bail wire being respectively slidable
through said first aperture and said second aperture of said top
cap.
5. An improved bird feeder, comprising: a main body having a top
open end and a bottom open end; said top open end including a top
edge and said bottom open end including a bottom edge; said tubular
main body being made of wire mesh material; a bottom cap in
communication with said bottom open end and said bottom edge of
said main body thereby closing said bottom open end; an adapter
sleeve mated with said top open end of said main body with a
portion of said adapter sleeve extending above said top edge; and a
top cap being removably engageable with said portion of said
adapter sleeve extending above said top edge portion of said
tubular adapter sleeve.
Description
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Appplication Ser. No. 60/182,799, filed Feb. 15,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to bird feeders.
More specifically, the present invention relates to bird feeders
for dispensing peanuts, and the like. Such a bird feeder, commonly
known as "peanut feeders", are well suited for providing feed to
woodpeckers, nut hatches, chickadees and other similar birds.
[0003] Prior art peanut feeders typically include a tubular wire
body with a top opening and a bottom opening. The wire body
provided resilient and rugged containment for dispensing feed, such
as peanuts. A bottom cap is affixed to the wire body at the bottom
opening to support a perch. The bottom cap is typically secured to
the wire body by fasteners, such as screws. Seed deflection inserts
are commonly used to urge feed to the openings in the wire body. A
top cap is provided to cover the top opening and a bail wire is
used to hang the feeder. Typically, the wire body is quite flexible
resulting in a feeder that may flex in an undesirable fashion,
particularly when the feeder is grasped during the loading of new
feed therein.
[0004] Further, the bottom and top openings are very sharp because
they are simply exposed edges of bare metal wire material. Since
the feeder must be periodically re-filled, the top cap is removed
and replaced frequently. The bare edges and the flexibility of the
wire makes replacing the cap difficult because precise alignment of
the top cap and the top edge of the wire body is required. There is
also a particular concern in the typically sharp exposed top edge
of the wire body because the user may be easily cut by this bare
wire body during re-filling or replacement of the top cap on the
wire body.
[0005] In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for a peanut
bird feeder that is safer to use than prior art feeders. There is a
demand for a peanut bird feeder that is safer to re-fill with feed
than prior art feeders. In addition, there is a demand for a peanut
bird feeder that is rigid and less apt to flex into undesired
configurations as prior art feeders do. There is a demand for a
peanut feeder that facilitates the removal and installation of the
top cap onto the wire feeder body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art
bird feeders. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in
currently available feeders and overcomes many disadvantages of
such currently available feeders.
[0007] The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique
bird feeder. The present invention relates to a peanut type bird
feeder that includes a main body made of wire mesh material.
[0008] The peanut bird feeder of the present invention includes a
tubular fabricated wire main body having a top open end and a
bottom open end.
[0009] The tubular main body is made of wire mesh material and has
a bottom edge at its bottom open end and a top edge at its top open
end. A bottom cap is attached to the bottom open end to enclose it.
A tubular adapter sleeve is positioned in the top open end to
protect and isolate the commonly sharp and dangerous top edge of
the main body from the user.
[0010] A top cap is removably positioned over the adapter sleeve to
enclose the feeder to protect the feeder located therein. The
adapter sleeve not only shields the user from a sharp and dangerous
top edge of the mesh main body but also maintains the mesh main
body in its original shape by avoiding flexing and bending of the
mesh material of the main body.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a peanut bird feeder that makes a
bird feeder with a mesh body more safe.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved peanut bird feeder that retains its shape.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved peanut bird feeder that is easier to use.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved peanut bird feeder that is easier to open, fill with
feed and close.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The novel features which are characteristic of the present
invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the
invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects
and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to
the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the improved
peanut feeder of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the improved
peanut feeder of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the peanut
feeder of FIG. 1 prior to installation of the top cap; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the peanut
feeder of FIG. 1 with top cap installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring first to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of
the improved peanut feeder 10 of the present invention is shown in
detail.
[0021] The feeder 10 includes a main body 12 which is preferably a
wire mesh arranged in a cylindrical configuration to form a tube
with a top open end 14 and a bottom open end 16. Referring to FIGS.
1 and 2, a base member 18, otherwise known as a bottom cap, was
nested from below into a seed deflector 20 which is, in the
preferred embodiment, a hollow structure.
[0022] The base member 18 includes a boss 22 which receives the
hollowed out portion, forming a bottom seat 24, of the seed
deflector 20. The seed deflector 20 includes a conical top surface
26 to urge seed toward the periphery of the main body 12.
[0023] The bottom cap 18 and seed deflector 20 are installed into
the bottom open end 16 of the main body 12 and retained in place by
threaded fasteners 28 which are routed through an opening in the
mesh main body 12 and through pass-thru holes 30 in the seed
deflector 20 and into female threaded holes 32 in the base member
18. The bottom open end 16 of the main body 12 is thus closed and
can effectively retain feed, such as peanuts therein. It should be
understood that the base member and seed deflector configuration,
as well as the method for interconnection of such members is shown
by way of example and that other base and seed deflector
configurations may be employed and still be within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the seed deflector 20 may be
omitted and other attachment fasteners may be used instead of the
threaded fasteners 28 shown in the preferred embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, an adapter sleeve
34, preferably made of plastic, is inserted into the top open end
14 of the main body 12 of the feeder 10. More specifically, the
adapter sleeve 34 includes, preferably, a circumferential flange 36
which divides it into a top portion 38 and a bottom portion 40. The
adapter sleeve 34 is inserted into the top open end 14 of the main
body 12 so that the bottom portion 40 of the adapter sleeve 34 fits
within the top open 14 end of the main body 12. Further, the
outside diameter of the bottom portion 40 of the adapter sleeve 34
is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the main body 12 to
permit easy installation of the adapter sleeve 34 into the top open
end 14 of the main body 12. As best seen in FIG. 3, the top open
end 14 of the main body 12 provides a receiving seat for the bottom
portion 40 of the adapter sleeve 34. Moreover, the circumferential
flange 36 rests on the top edge 42 of the main body 12 to prevent
the adapter sleeve 34 from sliding further downwardly into the main
body 12 of the feeder 10. As a result, the adapter sleeve 34 is
maintained in place at the top open end 14 of the main body 12 of
the feeder 10.
[0025] In accordance with the present invention, the adapter sleeve
34 effectively covers the top edge 42 of the top open end 14 of the
main body 12 which is typically very sharp because the main body 12
is commonly made from a metal wire mesh and clipped to the desired
length. The adapter sleeve 34 of the present invention isolates the
sharp and dangerous top edge 42 from the user and provides a new
exposed upper edge 44 which is the top edge of the upper portion 38
of the adapter sleeve 34. It is this top edge 44 of the upper
portion 38 of the adapter sleeve 34 which is exposed to the user
and presented for receipt of a top cap 46, as will be described
below, for enclosing the feeder.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the top cap 46 includes an
internal recess 48 which is of a complimentary shape to the upper
portion 38 of the adapter sleeve 34. A downwardly depending wall 50
of the top cap 46 defines this recess 48 to embrace the upper
portion 38 of the adapter sleeve 34. In that connection, the top
cap 46 may be easily placed over the upper portion 38 of the
adapter sleeve 34 to effectively close the top open end 14 of the
main body 12 of the feeder 10 to protect feed contained
therein.
[0027] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a bail wire 52, having
two opposing free ends 54 and 56, is provided to facilitate the
hanging of the feeder 10 in a desired location. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, a bail pin 58 is routed
through apertures in the mesh main body 12 and through thru holes
60 in the bottom portion 40 of the adapter sleeve 34. As best seen
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the installation of the bail pin 58 prevents the
adapter sleeve 34 from being removed from the top open end 38 of
the main body 12 of the feeder 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
free ends 54, 56 of the bail wire 52 are inserted through
respective thru holes 62 in the top cap 46 and again through thru
holes 64 in the bail pin 58. Once the free ends 54, 56 of the bail
wire 52 are routed through the bail pin 58, they are bent slightly
to prevent unwanted complete removal of the bail wire 52 from the
feeder 10 while still allowing for the top cap 46 to slide up and
down along the bail wire 52 for access to the interior of the main
body 12 of the feeder 10.
[0028] It is envisioned that the improved silo bird feeder of the
present invention is assembled as shown in FIG. 2 in preparation
for use. The adapter sleeve 34 is permanently installed into the
top open end 14 of the 7 main body 12 of the feeder 10 as described
above for filling of the feeder 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the top cap
46 is removed from the upper portion 38 of the adapter sleeve 34 by
sliding the top cap 46 along the bail wire 52. The top cap 46 may
then be further moved to the side of the main body 12 by rotation
of the bail pin 58 to facilitate direct access to the interior of
the main body 12 of the feeder 10. With the top cap 46 removed,
feed, such as peanuts, is easily loaded into the main body 12 of
the feeder 10. Once the desired amount of feed is installed, the
top cap 46 is slid along the bail wire 52 and into communication
with the adapter sleeve 34 so that the upper portion 38 of the
adapter sleeve 34 rests within the inside recess 48 of the top cap
46. The filled feeder 10 is then ready for display and subsequent
feeding therefrom.
[0029] It should be understood that the present invention is shown,
by way of example, as a cylindrical configuration. Any other
configurations, such as a square main body 12, would also be
considered to be within the scope of the present invention. The
bottom cap 18, optional seed deflector 20, adapter sleeve 34, and
top cap 46 are be easily reconfigured to accommodate the main body
12 having a square configuration.
[0030] Further, the adapter sleeve 34 of the present invention is
shown to include a substantially tubular configuration, whether
circular or square in cross section, however, it may be in the
configuration of a frame as opposed to a solid tube and may engage
with the inner surface of main body 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, or
may engage with the outer surface of the main body 12. In summary,
in accordance with the present invention, the adapter sleeve 34
effectively covers the sharp top edge 42 of the main body 12 and
protects it from the user while providing an alternative mount to
receive the top cap 46 to enclose the feeder.
[0031] In addition to protecting the user from a sharp edge 42 of
the main body 12, the adapter sleeve 34 provides additional
structural rigidity to the entire bird feeder 10 resulting in an
overall superior and solid configuration. Commonly, peanut or silo
type bird feeders employ a mesh main body 12 which is typically
made of metal wire. This wire is very flexible which enables the
body to collapse easily. For example, during the filling operation
of a prior art feeder, the user typically holds the feeder by the
main body 12 and during that grasping, can easily cause the feeder
10 to go out of its precise round shape thus making it very
difficult to reinstall the top cap 46 onto the top portion of the
feeder 10. In accordance with the present invention, the installed
adapter sleeve 34 ensures that the mesh main body 12 of the feeder
10 maintains a virtually precise cylindrical configuration to
greatly facilitate removal and installation of the top cap 46. The
installation of the adapter sleeve 34 at the top open end 14 of the
main body 12 and the combination base member 18 and seed deflector
20 installed at the bottom open end 16 of the main body 12 provides
for structural reinforcement to ensure that the feeder 10 of the
present invention retains its desired shape at all time.
[0032] While the main body 12 is preferably a wire mesh material,
other materials may be employed and still be within the scope of
the present invention. For example, a reinforced plastic mesh or
die cut sheet metal may also be used depending on the application
of the feeder 10. Further, the bail wire 52, top cap 46 and bottom
cap 18 are also preferably made of a metallic material for
durability but may also be made of other materials, such as
plastic. The seed deflector 20 is preferably plastic, however, may
be made of other materials such as metal. Finally, the adapter
sleeve 34 is preferably made of plastic for ease of manufacture
using, for example, an injection molding process. Such a plastic
injection molded part ensures that its upper edge 44, which will be
exposed to the user, is very smooth so as to not result in injury
to the user. However, the adapter sleeve 34 may be made out of
metal, such as by a casting process, to form the desired
configuration.
[0033] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *