Collapsible Spiral Haven for Bird Feeder Squirrel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bird feeders fail to effectively prevent access by squirrels and large birds, such as blackbirds and grackles, while also being compact for storage, as they either increase in size or lack deterrent mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible spiral rod haven with spiral convolutions that can be locked to prevent squirrel access, allowing for compact storage and use with both collapsible and non-collapsible bird feeders, while excluding large birds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an outer housing is added to prevent squirrels and large birds from accessing the feeder, then protection against squirrels and large birds is improved, but the size of the feeder increases both in use and when stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the protective housing collapsible. The housing can be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and transported in a small volume, then expanded to its full protective configuration when in use. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to provide squirrel and large bird protection while occupying minimal storage space, directly resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and storage volume.
2Reliability
If a protective housing is added to prevent squirrel access, then squirrel resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protective housing into multiple collapsible sections or panels that can be folded together. This segmented structure allows the housing to be assembled from simpler components rather than requiring a single complex rigid structure. The segmented design maintains effective squirrel protection while reducing overall device complexity through modular construction.
3Volume of moving object
If the feeder is made collapsible for compact storage, then storage compactness is improved, but the ability to deter squirrels is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the protective housing dynamically collapsible rather than permanently rigid. The housing can be collapsed into a compact form for storage, yet when expanded for use, it forms a complete protective barrier that effectively deters squirrels. The dynamic nature allows the same structure to fulfill both the compact storage requirement and the squirrel deterrence function, eliminating the need to choose between the two opposing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A haven for use with a bird feeder is provided that includes a collapsible spiral rod assembly having an upper end and a lower end. The spiral rod haven has a plurality of spiral convolutions and is selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position. The spiral rod haven defines an interior compartment when in its extended position. A bird feeder is positioned within the interior of the compartment. The bird feeder may be either a collapsible bird feeder, a tube-type bird feeder or any other type of bird feeder that may be positioned within the interior compartment of the haven. Small birds may gain access to the bird feeder by moving through adjacent convolutions while the convolutions prevent large birds or squirrels from entering the interior of the haven.