Horizontal Shepherd's Hook Bird Feeder Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bird feeder assemblies are not well-suited for non-traditional bird foods and often require modifications or alterations when attached to shepherd's hooks, which are typically used for decorative items, and they do not effectively deter predators like squirrels and raccoons.
Innovation Solution
A bird feeder assembly with a horizontal plate that can be easily attached to the uppermost inverted U-shaped portion of a shepherd's hook using a U-bolt, clamp plate, and fasteners, featuring apertures for food cups and a foot-hold, allowing for quick refilling and aesthetic appeal, and an alternative attachment method to the vertical portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bird feeder assemblies are mounted to the top of a post or hung from stationary objects, then the feeder is stable and secure, but the height may be impractical due to raiders like squirrels and raccoons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical mounting (top of post) to horizontal mounting (inverted U-shaped portion of shepherd's hook), changing the spatial dimension of installation. This allows the feeder to be positioned at a more accessible height while maintaining security, as the horizontal mounting surface provides both stability and easier access for refilling.
2Reliability
If conventional bird feeder assemblies are used, then they provide stable mounting, but they require modification or alteration when attached to shepherd's hooks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mounting plate with multiple aperture configurations that can accommodate different mounting scenarios (inverted U-shaped portion or vertical portion of shepherd's hook). The standardized plate with various aperture patterns provides stable mounting across different hook configurations without requiring custom modifications for each installation scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a standardized mounting plate with multiple apertures, and the shepherd's hook structure. This segmentation allows the plate to be independently designed with optimal aperture patterns for stability, while the hook serves its decorative and structural function, eliminating the need to modify the hook itself.
3Device complexity
If conventional gravity-fed bird feeder assemblies are used, then they are simple in structure, but they are not well-suited for non-traditional bird foods like jelly, fruit, eggs, cheese, pasta, and rice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feeding cups with specific local qualities (material properties, shape, size) that are optimized for holding non-traditional foods like jelly, fruit, eggs, cheese, pasta, and rice. These cups are strategically positioned within the mounting plate, allowing the overall simple structure to accommodate diverse food types through localized functional elements.
4Reliability
If the bird feeder assembly uses multiple apertures for fastening and supporting cups, then the mounting is secure and functional, but the plate requires more material and manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed as a universal component with a standardized pattern of multiple apertures that serves multiple functions: fastening the plate to the hook, supporting feeding cups, and providing structural reinforcement. This single multi-functional plate eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the presence of multiple apertures.
Data Source
AI summary
A bird feeder assembly has a substantially horizontal plate that can be mounted to the uppermost inverted U-shaped curved portion of a typical shepherd's hook. The plate comprises a plurality of apertures in it. Several of the apertures are used to fasten the plate to the hook. Several more apertures can be used to support feeding cups within them. The cups are preferably made of a material that is easy to clean. Several more apertures are provided to allow a perch point along the plate such that feeding birds can wrap their feet around a portion of the plate. An alternative embodiment provides a support member such that the assembly can be attached to the vertical portion of the shepherd's hook.