Abstract: A squirrel or small animal feeding apparatus comprises a mounting post, an angular mounting member, a pivot arm rotatably mounted to the angular mounting member, and a combination of eye hooks for attaching either a corn cob or a small bird feeder to one end of the pivot arm. The animal feeding apparatus further comprises a slidably moveable counterweight, the counterweight being mountable to the pivot arm in order to counterbalance the weight of an animal climbing onto the animal feeder. When an animal climbs up the pivot arm to get at the food attached to the eye hook assembly, the pivot arm will rotate in either direction, causing the animal to swing across the bottom.

Abstract: A squirrel baffler wherein the baffler consists of a conical shaped sheet member supported by a bracket assembly which prevents a squirrel or other unwanted animal from climbing a pole or post supporting a bird house or feeder. The conical shaped sheet member may be disassembled and assembled around the pole by use of interlocking members running the length of the sheet member such that the user does not have to remove the bird feeder from the pole or remove the pole from the ground first.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safety strip for horses and other animals to prevent casting. The strip may be attached to the walls of corrals and other structures that are used to contain horses and other animals. The strip may comprise a series of raised conical projections which provide a frictional surface for a horse to use as leverage to enable the horse to raise itself to an upright position within the confines of a narrow corral. The strips may be made in sizes that allow them to be used in a variety of differently sized and shaped walls. Apertures in the strips provide a method for mounting them to the wall by the use of nails for example.

Abstract: The invention provides a pest deterrent apparatus for a tray-style bird feeder. The apparatus comprises a portable, self-contained source of high voltage that will produce a harmless electric shock for frightening away a pest such as a squirrel, cat, or other animal that comes into contact with the high voltage source. Shocking conductors are wired across the high voltage source so that a high voltage electric circuit is completed through the body of the pest when the pest comes into contact with the shocking conductors. The bird feeder is supported in such a way that it will tilt when a pest is on the feeder. A tilt-responsive switch means is operatively wired to the high voltage source for normally turning the high voltage source off and turning the high voltage source on in response to the tilting of the feeder caused by the weight of the pest on the bird feeder so as to close the switch, thereby giving the pest a harmless electric shock.

Abstract: An animal blockage device having a series of casings movably surrounding a support member to prevent squirrels or other animals from traveling up the support member.

Abstract: A squirrel proof bird feeder including an electrical deterrent to deny squirrels access to a bird feeding station. The squirrel proof bird feeder comprises a bird feeding station, a conductive support pole attached to the bird feeder at one end and embedded within the ground at an opposing end, and a conducting plate affixed to, but electrically isolated from, the conductive support pole, and a regulating power supply providing electrical shock stimuli to animals contacting the conductive plate member and any earth ground, and more particularly the conductive support pole. In an alternate embodiment a plurality of isolated conductive plates are employed to provide a range of heights for the purpose of shocking a corresponding range of animal sizes. Yet another alternate embodiment employs a sensor which detects the imminent approach of an animal and activates the electrical p[power supply deterrent only when animals are present.

Abstract: The present invention is for bird feeders which are resistent to invasion by squirrels, pigeons and other large birds. The feeder has a hopper with a sloped sidewall to which a feed tray attaches. The angle .phi. between the sidewall and the feed tray is greater than about 60.degree. and less than 70.degree.. The separation of the perches on which the birds rest from the sidewall of the hopper is between about 3/4" and 13/4". The feeder has a roof which covers the hopper and preferably forms a convex cover.

Abstract: A marauder-deterrent bird feeder pole and platform slide assembly includes a hollow upright pole adapted at a top end to support a bird feeder, a platform subassembly mounted about the pole for undergoing reciprocal movement between bottom and top ends of the pole, lower and upper pluralities of guide rollers respectively mounted to the lower and upper ends of the platform subassembly to undergo rotational movement relative thereto and rollably engaging the pole below and above the lower and upper ends of the platform subassembly so as to movably support the platform subassembly on the pole, and a biasing subassembly connected to the pole and to the platform subassembly for biasing the platform subassembly to move upward toward a raised home position adjacent to and spaced below the top end of the pole in absence of the weight of a marauding animal being imposed on the platform subassembly.

Abstract: A transportable animal sustenance dispensing device is resistant to spillage, requires less filling, and is easily attachable to a variety of crates. The sustenance dispensing device comprises a reservoir for storing sustenance; a sustenance container which receives sustenance from said reservoir, said container being movable between a closed container position in which said container is resistant to sustenance spillage and an open container position in which said sustenance is accessible by said animal; and a spring biased valve for controlling flow of said sustenance from said reservoir into said sustenance container. An animal sustenance dispensing device of the present invention further comprises a connector for attaching the dispensing device to an animal containment device.

Abstract: A bird-feeder, which precludes gray squirrel access to seeds therein, mounts on a rectangular platform gnaw-resistant, hollow, 3/8" aluminum bars across the front and partially back along the sides and whose surfaces are spaced from adjacent bars 11/4". The upper ends of the bars are received in an open frame closed off by a plexiglass roof. A generally interior hopper extends across the back of the feeder to constitute its rear wall and to gravity feed seed onto the platform surface constituting the floor of the feeder. The hopper is pivoted to the platform for swinging movement outward to a loading position. Solid panels on the rear portions of the two sides present resistance also to wind action and seed scattering.

Abstract: A bird feeder support system for suspending a bird feeder from a deck railing or like support, and of a sufficient length so as to be out of the reach of squirrels or like animals. The bird feeder support includes a U-shaped bracket for encompassing a deck railing, and upper and lower support members of which the lower member lockingly engages the U-shaped bracket at one end, and includes a hook at the end of the upper support member for engaging a bird feeder. The upper and lower support members can also be two or more components frictionally engaged with respect to each other. The lower support member can also include anti-squirrel structure, including alternating tubular members and alternating washers placed over the lower region of the lower support member so that the squirrel cannot have any footing areas or grasping areas.

Abstract: A squirrel-proof bird feeder device with a metallic feed containment cavity having spaced and parallel side walls, a front wall spaced and parallel to a rear wall, a retaining plate attached to the inside of the front wall, a floor mounted perpendicular to and between these walls, and a movable roof which can be secured to the front wall with a latch. Nourishment flows through a gap between a retainer plate and the floor into a feeding cavity in the forward section of the feeder. An opening on the front wall exposes the feeding cavity and its contents. A fence created by the lower edge of the opening keeps the feed with the boundaries of the feeding cavity. A balancing perch assemblage having a wooden platform, a gate plate, a metal frame, and a metal bar that serves as a weight surrounds the front, side, and rear walls. This perch mounts to left and right supporters that pivot on respective left and right trunnions located on the lower sections of the side walls.

Abstract: A method of recycling refrigerant or the like tanks to construct animal feeders. The animal feeders include the tanks as feed hoppers and provide a feeding dispensing mechanism which permits adjusting the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The tanks can also be recycled by making guards for the animal feeders to prevent small animals such as squirrels or the like from gaining access to feed in the feeders.

Abstract: To provide access to a bird feeder to desirable species while excluding House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), a loop is mounted above the feeder and extends outwardly a few inches. The excluder is fastened to the bird feeder by staples or adhesives.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a feeder bowl supported by a post and having a tubular member located spacedly around the post and extending a sufficient distance below the feeder bowl to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from reaching the feeder bowl. The side wall of the tubular member is spaced a sufficient distance away from the post to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from reaching the tubular member from the post to continue climbing to reach the food.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bird feeder with a height adjustment to allow the bird feeder to be lowered for gaining access thereto. A slide member is attached to the bird seed tray which slides up and down a support for lowering the bird feeder into a lowered position and elevating the bird feeder into an elevated position for dispensing bird seed therefrom. A deflector is provided for directing the bird seed onto the tray for dispensing thereof. A spiral shaped wire is placed upon the feeding portion of the tray in order to prevent the birds from kicking out the bird seed from the tray onto the ground. A protective cover covers the bird feeder to protect the bird seed from the weather.

Abstract: A birdfeeder and method for deterring animals includes a pair of bird perches having an electric potential therebetween, the perches being vertically separated and positioned on a container for food so that an animal such as a squirrel attempting to feed from the birdfeeder will likely contact the two electrified perches and receive a mild shock, whereas robin-sized birds or smaller feeding at the bird feeder are too small to simultaneously contact the two perches and do not receive an electric shock.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a plurality of vertically spaced feed stations and a feed delivery system that, upon filling from the top, delivers a supply of feed to each feed station. The feed delivery system includes an inner supply tube or conduit arranged concentrically within an outer cylinder, which inner supply tube includes a plurality of vertically spaced delivery slots. As seed is supplied to the top of the outer cylinder, a substantial portion of the seed enters the inner supply tube and replenishes each feed station. In a preferred embodiment, various means are provided for equalizing the feed supply in the respective feed stations.

Abstract: Bird feeder system for attracting and feeding a variety of species of birds at the same time includes an elongated support to which at least two bird feeders are attached. A spacing member keeps adjacent bird feeders at a predetermined fixed distance apart. The predetermined distance is selected so that incompatible species of birds can feed concurrently at adjacent feeders. In addition, the elongated support is configured for preventing non-bird species, such as rodents, from gaining access to the bird feed in the feeders.

Abstract: A tube-shaped bird feeder with a tiltable perch which allows a person to control the maximum weight of a bird which can feed on the feeder by adjusting the counterweight attached to a tiltable perch. When a heavier bird alights on the perch, the perch swings down out of the way without closing the feeding openings. Once the bird flies away, the perch swings back into a feeding position so a lighter bird can alight and eat the seeds. In one embodiment a shield screens the birds view of the feeding opening. The feeders can be mounted individually or can be gang mounted on a post stand to permit multiple birds to eat at the feeder. A float located inside the feeder alerts an owner to the need to replenish the feeder.

Abstract: An improved depending bird feeder container, having a dung shield suspended over the bird feeder container and having the container formed to a special shape, similar to a "bell" shaped substantially cylindrical walled housing or container of a specific minimum diameter at the top or suspended portion of the container and a flare of a minimum length. This shape defeats squirrels and similar animals from climbing down the outside of the feeder container.

Abstract: A bird feeder apparatus includes a plurality of side-by-side cylindrical containers having longitudinal slots in the top walls thereof. The slots are wide enough to permit a bird's beak to pass therethrough for access to bird seed in the containers, but the slots are too narrow to permit a squirrel's mouth to pass therethrough to reach the seed. An associated seed filling assembly is supported above the top of the cylindrical containers and includes a feedbox for seed with a slotted bottom which rests on a portion of troughs which extend from the slots in the cylindrical containers. Movement of the slidable feed plate permits the seed in the feedbox to be fed to the cylindrical containers. A weight is provided on top of the seed in the feedbox to assist the gravity feed of seed through the slotted bottom. The weight is mounted on guide posts within the feedbox for vertical, sliding movement thereon.

Abstract: A tube-shaped bird feeder with a tiltable perch which allows a person to control the maximum weight of a bird which can feed on the feeder by adjusting the counterweight attached to a tiltable perch. When a heavier bird alights on the perch, the perch swings down out of the way without closing the feeding openings. Once the bird flies away, the perch swings back into a feeding position so a lighter bird can alight and eat the seeds. In one embodiment a shield screens the birds view of the feeding opening. The feeders can be mounted individually or can be gang mounted on a post stand to permit multiple birds to eat at the feeder. A float located inside the feeder alerts an owner to the need to replenish the feeder.

Abstract: A bird feeder comprises: a food holder and shroud which is biased in an open position by a spring. When an animal such as a squirrel not intended to feed from the bird feeder lands on the shroud or a roof portion of the shroud, the weight of the animal causes the shroud to descend against the biasing action of the spring. The shroud closes the food holder thereby preventing he animal from gaining access to the food.

Abstract: An electrical shock baffle for deterring squirrels and other animals from bird feeders, including a support for suspending the baffle, an open electronic circuit interconnected between a conductive portion of the baffle and a conductive portion of the support in order to render one of the conductive portions positively charged and the other of the conductive portions negatively charged so that an electrical shock will result when both the positively charged and negatively charged contacts are simultaneously engaged. The invention also involves the incorporation of the open electronic circuit into a bird feeder and a bird feeder including a bird exit opening and a quick release feed tray.

Abstract: A birdfeeder according to the invention is designed for repelling predatory animals. The feeder includes a spring-actuated roof which acts as a catapult when an animal alights thereon. The roof is secured by a latch which disengages when spring loaded pistons urge the roof upward and it can be closed and resecured either manually or automatically by motor.

Abstract: The bird feeder of this invention includes a reservoir which is generally conical in shape and having a plurality of feeding holes. A door is connected at the top of the reservoir and a conductive tray at the bottom. The conical shape provides a large opening through which the food may be poured. The conductive tray is connected by an electrical network to one or more of the conductive perches or trim mechanisms to form an open electrical circuit. The circuit is closed by contact with an animal to thereby provide a shock. The device further includes a baffle for separating the interior of the reservoir into independent compartments and trim mechanisms which are inserted into the feeding holes in order to vary the size of opening cooperating with the feed hole.

Abstract: An ornamental bird feeder that includes an upright tubular enclosure having a gable roof that is cut away to provide an access opening for adding new bird seed into the enclosure. A flower container is removably mounted in the roof access opening to provide plant foliage in the space above and alongside the roof area. The enclosure is equipped with an annular tray structure near its lower end, such that birds can have access to bird feeder openings extending around the entire perimeter of the enclosure.

Abstract: A tube-shaped bird feeder with a tiltable perch which allows a person to control the maximum weight of a bird which can feed on the feeder by adjusting the counterweight attached to a tiltable perch. When a heavier bird alights on the perch, the perch swings down out of the way without closing the feeding openings. Once the bird flies away, the perch swings back into a feeding position so a lighter bird can alight and eat the seeds. The feeders can be mounted individually or can be gang mounted on a post stant to permit multiple birds to eat at the feeder. A float located inside the feeder alerts an owner to the need to replenish the feeder.

Abstract: A bird feeder for preventing rodents from grabbing bird seed in the bird feeder. The feeder includes a silo having a first end and a second end with an opening to permit seed to flow onto a supporting tray below the silo. A conically shaped cover is attached adjacent the silo. The cover extends outward in a substantially straight line from a narrow portion which is connected to the top of the silo to a wide portion. The straight line terminates the cover in the wide portion. The diameter of the perimeter of the wide portion, has a ratio selected with respect to the diameter of the perimeter of the feeder tray, to prevent rodents from accessing the feeder.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus wherein a counter-balanced perch is pivotally mounted adjacent a forward and rear face of the feeder structure, wherein the forward and rear face are mirror images relative to one another. The perch is pivotally mounted to trunnions orthogonally secured to side walls of the structure, with a counter-balance mounted thereon to permit adjustment of the feeder to accommodate and actuate to various classes of weighted birds mounting the perch. Upon a relatively large bird exceeding the support capacity of the perch alighting on the perch, the perch pivots downwardly and slidably draws a slide plate downwardly to prevent access of contents within the structure for feeding by the bird to discourage that category of bird from consuming feed within the organization.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an animal guard for posts or the like, which guard includes a vertical tube placed over the post. Extending outwardly from the tube are a plurality of longitudinal fins. The fins are spaced apart such that the distal edges of any two adjacent fins are too far apart for the animal to grasp and climb and the proximal edges of any two adjacent fins are too close together for the animal to be able to climb up the surface of the tube. The fins are too thin for the animal to be able to climb by grasping each side of the fin. The guard is especially effective in deterring squirrels from climbing posts.

Abstract: A combined bird and animal feed container; with a choice of either a glossy smooth (squirrel resistant) or a textured (animal inviting) finish, to the ceramic or plastic container material, which material is weather and freeze proof. The feeder has an upright substantially cylindrical housing, which has a recessed bottom opening for receiving of a supply of bird feed such as seeds and the like, and, thru the choice of smoothness of external surface of said housing, adapting the feed container selectively for birds exclusively, or for birds, squirrels and the like. There are a plurality of transverse horizontal openings in the wall of said housing forming partial tunnels to afford protected access to the feed supply. Below each tunnel is pierced an opening to receive a selectively flexible perch. A flexible cable or strand at the housing's upper end supports or hangs the feeder.

Abstract: A birdfeeder has a bottom portion for delivering seed to a tray to which birds have access through a fly up entry into a feeding area. The bottom portion includes a dome with a central hole and nearby filling port. There is also a cover with a central hole and a skirt portion which normally covers the filling port. The central holes define a birdfeeder axis. A hanger has a straight portion and a hook portion. The straight portion passes through the central holes and the hook portion is above the cover. An eccentric cover lock has an aperture through which the straight hanger portion passes. Due to its eccentricity, the cover lock is normally held by gravity in a cocked position in which the aperture impositively holds the cover lock at any location on the straight hanger portion above the cover including a lowermost location in which the skirt portion covers the filling port and the cover lock deters the raising of the cover.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a squirrel guard which prevents squirrels from reaching the bird seed held by the feeder. The squirrel guard is mounted on the base of the feeder and includes roller elements which extend completely around its perimeter. The roller elements are positioned so they must be gripped by the animals, and the elements then rotate to prevent or grip secure enough to allow the animal to climb past the squirrel guard onto the feeder. The guard can also be used by itself to protect posts and trees against climbing animals.