Window-Mounted Bird Feeder With Tension Rods and Pivotable Lid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window-mounted bird feeders face challenges such as the need for external mounting and filling, difficulty in accessing high or obstructed windows, and poor weather resistance, particularly in cold conditions, due to their design and mounting methods.
Innovation Solution
A bird feeder system that uses tension rods mounted to the window frame from inside the building, with a pivotable lid that allows seed filling from inside, and features such as sloped side members for rain drainage and adjustable mounting brackets for secure attachment, enabling easy installation and use without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction cups are used to mount the feeder to the window, then the feeder can be attached to the window surface, but the window and suction cups must be very clean to adhere properly, and suction cups do not work well in cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tension rods as an intermediary mounting mechanism that connects the feeder to the window frame structure rather than directly to the glass surface. The tension rods attach to the window frame using screws or other fastening methods, providing a stable mounting point that is independent of window cleanliness and weather conditions. This mediator approach transfers the mounting function from the vulnerable suction cup-glass interface to a more reliable rod-frame connection.
2Ease of operation
If the feeder is mounted from outside the building, then the feeder can be properly positioned, but the person must reach out of the window and up to reach it, which is difficult especially for the elderly, and the person must go outside to refill even if the weather is cold, raining, or muddy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mounting approach by enabling installation and refilling from the inside of the building rather than from outside. The tension rod system is designed with mounting brackets and adjustment mechanisms that can be accessed and operated from inside the window. The feeder body hangs from the tension rods in a position that allows easy access for seed refilling while maintaining secure outdoor mounting. This inversion eliminates the need for users to step outside in bad weather or reach awkwardly to install or service the feeder.
3Ease of operation
If the feeder sits on the window sill, then the window closes on top of the feeder providing support, but the home owner cannot lock that window once the bird feeder is in place, and in cold weather, the feeder has no insulating properties, so it effectively allows colder air into the building
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function from the window sill by using tension rods that independently bear the feeder's weight. The feeder is suspended from the tension rods rather than resting on the sill, which separates the mounting support function from the window closing function. This segmentation allows the window to close completely over the sill area without interference from the feeder, restoring full window functionality including locking capability. The tension rod system provides the necessary structural support without requiring the feeder to occupy space that would interfere with window operation.
4Reliability
If mounting hardware is drilled into the window frame structure, then the feeder can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes more complex and may damage the window frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the tension rod system with universal mounting brackets that can attach to various window frame types using simple fastening methods. The mounting brackets are designed to work with different frame materials (wood, vinyl, aluminum) and attachment styles (screws, clips, adhesive mounts). This universality allows secure mounting without requiring complex installation procedures or specialized hardware for each window type. The system adapts to different window configurations while maintaining reliable attachment, eliminating the need for complex drilling and fastening procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy installation and filling of bird feeders from inside the building, maintains weather resistance, and allows for secure attachment to various window types, including high or obstructed locations, while keeping the window accessible for locking and insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a first tension rod (8) and a second tension rod (8), each having two distal ends (28)
Data Source
AI summary
A bird feeder that mounts to tension rods that run horizontally just outside the window, in which the bird feeder has a pivotable lid that can be opened from inside the building to allow the user to add bird seed into the seed-holding tray portion of the main body of the feeder. The tension rods can be mounted to the sides of the window framework, or other structure that is proximal to the window framework, also with the user remaining inside the building structure, thereby allowing the user to do everything from inside the building. The pivotable lid has a pivot point that is closer to the “front” of the feeder, which is where the bird perch is located, and which is the distal portion of the feeder, with respect to the window or building where the feeder is mounted.