US 12,329,131 B2
Squirrel-proof bird feeder
Ralph Beckman, Providence, RI (US)
Assigned to Backyard Nature Products, LLC, Chilton, WI (US)
Filed by Backyard Nature Products, LLC, Chilton, WI (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/194,314.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/352,849, filed on Jun. 16, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/326,037, filed on Mar. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0309516 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. A01K 39/01 (2006.01); A01K 39/012 (2006.01)
CPC A01K 39/0113 (2013.01) [A01K 39/012 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bird feeder comprising:
a seed container comprising a sidewall, a top end, and an enclosed bottom end,
wherein the sidewall forms a cylindrical surface and comprises one or more seed ports,
wherein the top end is open, and
wherein the enclosed bottom end comprises a first cylinder extending upward a limited distance into the seed container, the first cylinder further comprising a top surface; and
a shutter device positioned beneath the enclosed bottom end, wherein the shutter device moves relative to the seed container and wherein the shutter device comprises:
a base,
a sleeve extending upward from an edge of the base and enclosing a bottom portion of the seed container, the sleeve further comprising one or more access ports, wherein the access ports are aligned with the seed ports,
a spring housing comprising a second cylinder centered on the base and extending upward into the first cylinder and a top surface further comprising a hole, and
a spring mechanism within the spring housing wherein the spring mechanism is fixedly attached to the top surface of the first cylinder, wherein the spring mechanism comprises a spring, and wherein the spring causes the spring mechanism to push the shutter device up against the enclosed bottom end of the seed container, and wherein the shutter device slides down to a position below the seed container when a downward force is applied to the shutter device sufficient to overcome a spring force of the spring.