Bird feeder

Abstract

Bird feeder (10) with a base element (11) and a roof (20), wherein the base element (11) comprises a base plate (12) which is surrounded on all sides by a raised edge (13) and / or by a side wall, characterized in that at least a part of the raised edge (13) or the side wall is designed as a movable cleaning flap (14) which is connected to the base element (11) by means of at least one hinge element (15) and can be folded down via the hinge element (15) to below the top (12.1) of the base plate (12).

Description

The invention relates to a bird feeder with a base element and a roof, wherein the base element comprises a base plate which is surrounded on all sides by a raised edge and / or by a side wall. Birdhouses, especially bird feeders, are used in private and commercial birdwatching, as well as in the care and conservation of wild bird populations, providing a hygienic feeding environment. They usually include a base plate with a raised edge around the sides, preventing food from sliding out. Leftover food, seed husks, and bird droppings should be removed regularly to prevent mold growth. A disadvantage is that the interior can only be cleaned by removing the bird feeder, which is usually hung from branches or similar supports, holding it upside down, and shaking it to empty the contents. Vacuuming is also possible. Afterward, the bird feeder must be rehung. This makes cleaning cumbersome and often avoids the process out of convenience. The object of the present invention is to enable the simple removal of feed residues and the like from the interior. The problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that at least a part of the upstand or the side wall is designed as a movable cleaning flap which is connected to the base element by means of at least one hinge element and can be folded down over it to below the top of the base plate. The invention improves accessibility for cleaning and reduces the effort required to remove food residues and peels. For example, cleaning can be simplified, hygiene increased, and / or maintenance facilitated. The purpose of the bird feeder according to the invention is to receive and provide bird food for birds. The bird feeder can be made of wood, plastic, or metal. The base element can refer to a component that serves as the foundation of the bird feeder and supports the base plate as well as a raised edge and / or a side wall. The base element can be a separate component or an integral part of the bird feeder. The roof can refer to a component located above the base element that protects the bird feeder from the elements. The roof can be pitched or flat and can be made of wood, plastic, or metal. The base plate can refer to a slab that serves, for example, as the main surface for distributing birdseed. The base plate can be rectangular, square, or round. The raised edge can refer to a circumferential rim that laterally defines the base plate and prevents lining from falling out. The raised edge can be made of the same material as the base plate, particularly wood, and can be fixed or partially movable. A side wall may be provided, either as an alternative or in addition to the upstand, and extending in particular between the base plate and the roof to, for example, provide weather protection. The side wall may be a continuous wall or a combination of several wall sections. The cleaning flap can refer to a section of the raised edge or side wall that is movable and can be opened for cleaning. The cleaning flap can be made of wood, plastic, or metal. The difference between a raised edge and a side wall lies in the height. The raised edge is designed to prevent birdseed from being scattered sideways. It is usually only a few centimeters high. The arrangement of a side wall is associated with a special protective function, such as protection against rain and wind or against access to the food by large birds or other animals such as martens or squirrels. Preferably, the bird feeder according to the invention comprises three or fewer side walls extending between the floor and the roof, and at least one lower, movable upstand designed as a cleaning flap. If all-round protection by side walls is desired, either the side wall can be folded down over its entire height as a cleaning flap, or your side wall can be divided into a fixed upper part and a fold-down lower part. The cleaning flap is movably connected to the base element, with at least one hinge element arranged between the cleaning flap and the base element, for example, a hinge element designed in the manner of a piano hinge. The cleaning flap can thus be positioned so that, in the closed state, it forms part of the raised edge or the side wall, and in the open state, it provides access to the base plate. The cleaning flap is positioned so that it can be folded down to just below the top of the base plate. The top of the base plate forms the upper surface of the base element, on which, for example, birdseed rests. Preferably, the hinge axis of the at least one hinge element is arranged below the top surface of the base plate, particularly directly in the area of ​​the lower edge of the end face of the base plate. Simultaneously, the at least one hinge element is arranged on a lateral lower edge of the base plate adjacent to the cleaning flap. This allows the cleaning flap to be positioned closer to the front edge of the base plate when closed, as no space is required for an intermediate hinge element. This configuration improves the seal around the flap and reduces the accumulation of dirt or feed residue in the hinge area. As a result, the cleaning flap is easier to handle and can be integrated more flush and securely into the base plate. Secondly, when opened, the cleaning flap can lower itself further at an angle beyond a horizontal position. For example, if the bottom of the bird feeder is swept with the cleaning flap open, dirt particles fall to the bottom and do not remain on the open flap. Furthermore, before being raised again and connected to the raised edge via the latch, the cleaning flap can be manually swung far back, almost to below the base plate, to allow any dirt that has accumulated in the area of ​​the hinge to fall out. The hinge axis can refer to a pivot axis around which the hinge element pivots the cleaning flap relative to the base element, such as a continuous metal axle or a hinge pin. Preferably, the base plate is rectangular, and a cleaning flap is provided on each of its opposite long sides. This arrangement of a cleaning flap on each of the rectangular long sides improves access to the interior of the bird feeder from both sides. This allows for more flexible and efficient cleaning, especially in larger or hard-to-reach models. Removing leftover food and shells is made easier, and maintenance is simplified. For example, with the cleaning flaps open, it is possible to hold the water jet from a garden hose approximately parallel to the base plate and thus rinse the interior. The water jet arriving on one side can easily flow out the other. The preferably rectangular base plate can refer to a plate whose opposite sides are longer than the other sides. Other base plate shapes are also possible, such as polygons with more than four sides. A round shape is also generally possible; however, the cleaning flap and the hinge axis must then run along a secant edge of the base plate. The cleaning flap can refer to a movable section of the upstand that is designed to be opened for cleaning, such as an element made of wood, plastic or metal that is pivotally connected to the base element by means of a hinge element. In another embodiment of the bird feeder, the cleaning flap may be provided with a locking element that engages in a locking receptacle on the base element or on an adjacent part of the raised edge. The locking element keeps the cleaning flap closed and prevents unintentional opening. The locking element can refer to a component designed to mechanically connect the cleaning flap to the base element, such as a metal hook, a sliding bolt, or a latch. The locking receptacle can refer to a recess, opening, or counter-structure on the base element that receives the locking element and allows it to engage. Conversely, it may be provided that a movable locking element is attached to the upstand and / or the base element, which engages in a locking receptacle on the cleaning flap. Preferably, the locking element is designed as an L-shaped locking latch, which is pivotably arranged on an axis oriented perpendicular to the upstand and engages in a bolt serving as a locking receptacle, which is arranged on an end face of the cleaning flap. The L-shaped locking bolt engages in particular with a slightly protruding bolt located on the front face of the cleaning flap and is pivotally mounted on an axis that is aligned perpendicular to the upstand. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show, in detail: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a bird feeder with base element, base plate, upstand, and roof; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a bird feeder with the cleaning flaps on the base element open; and Fig. 3 a detail view of the bird feeder with the cleaning flap folded down. Fig. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a bird feeder 10 with base element 11 and roof 20. The bird feeder 10 comprises a base element 11, which serves as the supporting base structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the base element 11 consists of a base plate 12, which serves as the main surface for dispensing bird food, and the parts of a raised edge 13 that are firmly connected to it. The raised edge 13 prevents the food from falling out. In the illustrated example, the base plate 12 has a rectangular, approximately square shape. Part of the raised edge 13 is movable relative to the base plate 12 and is designed as a cleaning flap 14. The cleaning flap 14 is pivotally connected to the base element 11 by means of at least one hinge element 15. The hinge element 15 is located on a lateral lower edge of the base plate 12, so that the cleaning flap 14 can be folded down to below the top surface of the base plate 12. The cleaning flap 14 allows for the easy removal of feed residues and peels by opening and folding it down. The cleaning flap 14 is provided on both sides at its end face with a protruding bolt 17, which serves as a latch receptacle. Four latch elements 16 are each pivotably mounted on the raised edge 13 and, in the closed position, each engage with one of the bolts 17 to lock the cleaning flaps 14 and hold them in the closed position. In the exemplary embodiment, the latch element 16 is designed as an L-shaped latch and is pivotably arranged on an axis oriented perpendicular to the raised edge 13. The roof 20 is designed as a sloping protective roof and protects the bird feeder 10 from the elements. The roof 20 is supported by several support posts 21, which are arranged vertically between the base element 11 and the roof 20. The hinge axis of the hinge element 15 is located below the top surface of the base plate 12 and, in the illustrated embodiment, even on the underside of the base plate 12. From the closed state shown in Fig. 1, the L-shaped locking latches 16 can be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrows to release the fixed connection to the cleaning flap 14. Fig. 2 shows the bird feeder 10 with the cleaning flaps 14 partially open. The slotted recesses of the latches 16 have released the bolts 17. This position is only present when the cleaning flaps 14 are still being guided manually. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of a corner of the bird feeder 10, where the cleaning flap 14 has now swung far down due to its mass and hangs freely. The center of mass of the cleaning flap 14 is located below the hinge axis of the hinge element 15. The area previously enclosed by upstands 13 and cleaning flaps 14 on a top surface 12.1 of the base plate 12 is now accessible, so that food residues and shells can be swept out with a brush over the open side of the base element 11. The raised edge 13 is formed as a continuous wooden rim and laterally borders the base plate 12. The raised edge 13 prevents feed from escaping from the bird feeder 10. The locking element 16' visible in Fig. 3 differs slightly in design from the locking element shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is designed as a metal hook. It does not have a slot-shaped receptacle, but rather, in the closed state, engages behind the bolt 17 with its angled nose. It is clearly visible that the hinge axis of the hinge element 15 is located directly on a lateral lower edge 12.2 of the base plate 12, as well as on a lower edge of the cleaning flap 14 itself facing the base plate 12. Reference symbol list 10 Bird feeder 11 Base element 12 Base plate 12.1 Top 12.2 Bottom edge 13 Upstand 14 Cleaning flap 15 Hinge element 16, 16' Latch element 17 Bolt 20 Roof 21 Support post

Claims

Bird feeder (10) with a base element (11) and a roof (20), wherein the base element (11) comprises a base plate (12) which is surrounded on all sides by a raised edge (13) and / or by a side wall, characterized in that at least a part of the raised edge (13) or the side wall is designed as a movable cleaning flap (14) which is connected to the base element (11) by means of at least one hinge element (15) and can be folded down via the hinge element (15) to below the top (12.1) of the base plate (12). Bird feeder (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge axis of the at least one hinge element (15) is arranged below the top (12.1) of the base plate (12). Bird feeder (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinge axis of the at least one hinge element (15) is arranged on a lateral lower edge (12.2) of the base plate (12) adjacent to the cleaning flap (14). Bird feeder (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning flap (14) is arranged on each opposite longitudinal side of a rectangular base plate (12). Bird feeder (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning flap (14) is provided with a locking element which engages in a locking receptacle of the base element (11). Bird feeder (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a movable locking element (16, 16') is attached to the upstand (13) of the base element (11), which engages in a locking receptacle on the cleaning flap (14). Bird feeder (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable locking element (15) is designed as an L-shaped locking latch which is pivotably attached to an axis oriented perpendicular to the upstand (13) and which engages in a bolt (17) serving as a locking receptacle which is arranged on an end face of the cleaning flap (14).

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