Birdfeeder and seed dispenser therefor

• US 20090223456A1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
• Original Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
• Inventors: Carter, James, Krueger, Brian K., Hunter, Lynn, O'Dell, Furman
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/53
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/012 filling automatically , e.g. by gravity from a reserve

Abstract

A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

Claims

1. A dispenser adapted to access and dispense birdseed from a birdfeeder that has a birdseed reservoir with a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, comprising:

(A) a base assembly mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir, said base assembly including (1) a front plate having an opening formed therein;

(2) a flange extending around the opening and projecting away from said front plate; and

(3) an end wall supported by said flange such that said flange and said end wall together define a chamber, said end wall having an access opening formed therethrough; and

(B) an apertured piece received in said chamber and including (1) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and

(2) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and

(3) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between (a) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is oriented in a seed accessible state so as to provide access to the bird seed; and

(b) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in the seed accessible state.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said base assembly includes a plurality of resilient prongs operative to releasably secure said base assembly to said sidewall.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the first seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the first orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the second seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the second seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the second orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the first seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall.

5. A dispenser adapted to access and dispense birdseed from a birdfeeder that has a birdseed reservoir with a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, comprising:

(A) a base piece mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir;

(B) an end piece coupled to said base piece and including a wall having an access opening formed therethrough that is in fluid communication with the opening;

(C) an apertured piece supported by said base piece at a location proximate to said wall of said end piece and including (1) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and

(2) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and

(3) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between (a) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is in fluid communication with the access opening; and

(b) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in fluid communication with the access opening; and

(D) a spacer interposed between said end piece and said apertured piece.

6. The dispenser according to claim 5 wherein said base piece includes a flange extending around the opening and projecting into the birdseed reservoir, said flange including a plurality of spaced apart tab members.

7. The dispenser according to claim 6 wherein said end piece includes a plurality of spaced apart tab slots adapted to receive said tab members in a snap-fit engagement.

8. The dispenser according to claim 5 wherein said base piece includes a front plate formed as an integral part thereof that is adapted to surround the opening and confront the outer surface of said birdseed reservoir sidewall.

9. The dispenser according to claim 5 wherein (A) the first configuration is adapted to dispense thistle birdseed from the reservoir;

and (B) the second configuration is adapted to dispense mixed birdseed from the reservoir.

10. The dispenser according to claim 5 wherein said base piece and said end piece together form a chamber sized and adapted to receive said apertured piece therein.

11. The dispenser according to claim 10 wherein said apertured piece is a dial that is rotatably disposed in the chamber.

12. The dispenser according to claim 5 wherein said wall of said end piece has a groove formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive a portion of said spacer thereby to restrain movement thereof.

13. A birdfeeder adapted to be supported in spaced relation to a support surface and to provide birdseed to birds, comprising:

(A) a birdseed reservoir with a surrounding sidewall adapted to receive the birdseed therein, said sidewall having an opening formed therethrough; and

(B) a seed dispenser mounted to the opening in said sidewall and adapted to dispense the birdseed to the birds and including (1) a base assembly mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir, said base assembly including (a) a front plate having an opening formed therein;

(b) a flange extending around the opening and projecting away from said front plate; and

(c) an end wall supported by said flange such that said flange and said end wall together define a chamber, said end wall having an access opening formed therethrough; and

(2) an apertured piece received in said chamber and including (a) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and

(b) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and

(c) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between (i) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is oriented in a seed accessible state so as to provide access to the bird seed; and

(ii) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in the seed accessible state.

14. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein said end wall is fixedly attached to said flange in a snap-fit engagement.

15. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein said base assembly includes a plurality of resilient prongs operative to releasably secure said base assembly to said sidewall.

16. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein said front plate confronts the outer surface of the birdseed reservoir sidewall and surrounds the opening formed therein.

17. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein said apertured piece is a dial that is rotatably disposed in the chamber.

18. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein in the first orientation the access opening is in fluid communication with the first seed aperture and access to the birdseed via the second seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall, and in the second orientation the access opening is in fluid communication with the second seed aperture and access to the birdseed via the first seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall.

19. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 wherein the first configuration is adapted to dispense thistle birdseed from the reservoir, and the second configuration is adapted to dispense mixed birdseed from the reservoir.

20. A birdfeeder according to claim 13 including a spacer interposed between said end wall and said apertured piece and adapted to separate at least a portion of said apertured piece from said end wall, said spacer being an undulating wire.