Bird feeder with interconnected seed trays

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bird feeder having a seed container, a seed tray, a lid, and a funnel for directing seed onto the seed tray. The seed tray and the funnel are engaged about a connection point located below the base of the seed tray to improve seed flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of bird feeders and, more particularly, to a bird feeder having an interconnected seed tray and a hopper. Background Art

[0002] Bird feeders have been around for a long time for birdwatchers and animal lovers. However, current bird feeders suffer from a number of problems, including but not limited to poor flow of seed from the seed container to the seed tray.

[0003] Therefore, a novel bird feeder that can overcome the problems of the prior art is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a bird feeder comprising: a seed container for holding seeds; a seed tray connected to the seed container and adapted to provide access to the seeds; a funnel attached to the seed container and releasably secured to the seed tray at a connection point, the funnel for dispensing seeds onto the seed tray; and a shield engaged with the seed tray, the shield being movable between a first position for providing access to the seeds and a second position for blocking access to the seeds.

[0005] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a bird feeder comprising: a seed container for containing seeds; a seed tray connected to the seed container and adapted to provide access to the seeds; a shield engaged with the seed tray, the shield being movable between a first position providing access to the seeds and a second position blocking access to the seeds; and an upper ring surrounding an upper end of the seed container, the upper ring having a funnel-shaped inner wall to reduce seed loss in the bird feeder.

[0006] Brief description of the attached figure

[0007] The following figures are used to illustrate various embodiments of the features of the present disclosure. These figures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of another bird feeder according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 An enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the seed tray connected to the hopper at the connection point of the bird feeder;

[0010] Figure 3 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 Another enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the seed tray connected to the hopper at the connection point of the bird feeder;

[0011] Figure 4 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 a perspective cross-sectional view of the seed tray on the stem of the bird feeder in a first extended position; and

[0012] Figure 5 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the seed container of a bird feeder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The following examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that various modifications and / or alterations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the present disclosure, and any such modifications and / or alterations are within the scope of the envisioned disclosure.

[0014] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, another bird feeder 110 is shown. The bird feeder preferably includes a seed container 115 for holding seeds and covered by a lid 117, a seed tray 120 connected to the seed container 115 and adapted to contain the seeds and provide access to the seeds, and a shield 125 movable from a first position, in which the seeds are allowed to be accessed, to a second position, in which the seeds are blocked from being accessed. Bird feeder 110 also includes a base 140 and a funnel 145, which is attached to the seed container 115 and releasably secured to the seed tray 120 at a connection point 150. The function of funnel 145 is to distribute seeds to the seed tray 120. Funnel 145 has an inwardly sloping inner wall 155, the inner wall having a smaller diameter than the outer wall 160 of the seed tray 120, to promote optimal seed flow. Funnel 145 also has a longitudinal divider 165 to further promote optimal seed flow. As shown, the connection point 150 is located below the seed tray 120 to improve the flow of seeds from the seed container to the seed tray. In fact, in conventional bird feeders, the connection point 150 is located above the base 170 of the seed tray 120. However, the engagement method of the connection point 150 (in this case, a threaded engagement) takes up additional volume and hinders the flow of seeds from the funnel 145 to the seed tray 120. Placing the connection point 150 below the seed tray 120 eliminates this limitation.

[0015] Specific reference Figure 3Positioning the connection point 150 below the base 170 of the seed tray 120 allows for a larger area between the funnel 145 and the tubular wall 173 surrounding the rod 190, as shown in sections 183 and 184. In fact, maximizing the size of this area is desirable to improve seed flow from the seed container (not shown) to the seed tray 120. In the prior art (not shown), when the connection point is located above the base of the seed tray, a bulge forms around the tubular wall that impedes seed flow. Because the threads connecting the funnel to the seed tray occupy space near the tubular wall, the large bulge occurs. Therefore, by eliminating this bulge, the improved connection point 150 has proven advantageous over the prior art.

[0016] Specific reference Figure 4 The seed tray 120 has a base 170 and a recess 175 projecting downward from the base 170. The recess 175 has threads 180 therein for threaded engagement with a funnel (not shown). A pin 185 is also shown, which is secured through a rod 190 to hold the seed tray 120 in place. In reality, a spring 195 surrounds the rod 190 and is compressed between the seed tray 120 and the upper nut 200 to bias the seed tray 120 downward. The pin 185 can be positioned or screwed into the rod 190 to hold the seed tray 120 in place relative to the rod 190.

[0017] Reference Figure 5 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bird feeder further includes an upper ring 270 surrounding the upper portion of the seed container 115. As shown, the upper ring 270 has a funnel-shaped inner wall 275. The purpose of the funnel-shaped inner wall 275 is to guide seeds that fall into the bird feeder into the seed container 115. In fact, providing the inner wall 275 with a slope facilitates seed flow and reduces seed loss, which would otherwise fall out of the seed container 115 if the seeds are not properly stored in the seed container.

[0018] Many modifications and other embodiments of the embodiments described herein may be apparent to those skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings given in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It should be understood that such modifications and additional embodiments are all within the scope of the envisioned disclosure, and the envisioned disclosure should not be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.

Claims

1. A bird feeder comprising: a seed container for holding the seeds; a seed tray connected to the seed container and adapted to provide access to the seeds; a funnel attached to the seed container and releasably secured to the seed tray at a connection point, the funnel for distributing the seed onto the seed tray; as well as A shield is engaged with the seed tray, the shield being movable between a first position for providing access to the seeds and a second position for blocking access to the seeds.

2. The bird feeder according to claim 1, wherein the seed tray has a base and a groove protruding downward from the base, and a first thread is provided in the groove to engage with the funnel through a threaded connection.

3. The bird feeder of claim 2, wherein the funnel further comprises a second thread to be threadably engaged with the first thread of the seed tray.

4. The bird feeder of claim 1 wherein said connection point is located below said seed tray to improve flow of said seed from said seed container to said seed tray.

5. The bird feeder of claim 1 wherein said hopper has longitudinal dividers to further facilitate the flow of said seed from said seed container to said seed tray.

6. The bird feeder of claim 1, further comprising an upper ring surrounding an upper end of the seed container, the upper ring having a funnel-shaped inner wall to reduce seed loss in the bird feeder.

7. The bird feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: a rod extending from below the seed tray to an upper end of the seed container; as well as A pin is secured through the rod to hold the seed tray in place.

8. The bird feeder of claim 7 further comprising a spring surrounding the rod, and wherein the spring is compressed between the seed tray and the upper nut to bias the seed tray downward.

9. A bird feeder comprising: a seed container for holding the seeds; a seed tray connected to the seed container and adapted to provide access to the seeds; a shield engaged with the seed tray, the shield being movable between a first position for providing access to the seeds and a second position for blocking access to the seeds; as well as An upper ring surrounds the upper end of the seed container, the upper ring having a funnel-shaped inner wall to reduce seed loss in the bird feeder.

10. The bird feeder of claim 9 further comprising a cover releasably secured to the seed container.

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