Patents by Inventor Frederic J. Liethen

Frederic J. Liethen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7789040
    Abstract: A bird feeder includes a cradle for attachment to a jar of jelly or jam, and one or more perches that are disposed near the opening of the jar when the cradle is attached to the jar so a bird may light on a perch and feed from the jar. The bird feeder may include a flower portion with a circular opening for attracting birds, and may also include one or more connector loops for hanging the bird feeder with the attached jar. The perches may be straight, curved, U-shaped or any other suitable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Gold Crest Distributing, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Publication number: 20080141944
    Abstract: A bird feeder includes a cradle for attachment to a jar of jelly or jam, and one or more perches that are disposed near the opening of the jar when the cradle is attached to the jar so a bird may light on a perch and feed from the jar. The bird feeder may include a flower portion with a circular opening for attracting birds, and may also include one or more connector loops for hanging the bird feeder with the attached jar. The perches may be straight, curved, U-shaped or any other suitable configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GOLD CREST DISTRIBUTING
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: 5947054
    Abstract: A selective nectar dispensing system for use with a bird feeder. The nectar dispensing system includes a pivot assembly which has a counterweight at one end and a feeding port restricting portion at another end. The pivot assembly is operable between a closed blocking position and an open feeding position. The counterweight normally biases the restricting portion to the closed blocking position and has a mass selected to both permit a feeding bird to move the restricting portion towards the open feeding position and to prevent movement of the restricting portion by an insect, thus providing selective access to the feeding port. The feeding port restricting portion is urged away from the feeding port against the force of the counterweight. Access to the feeding port is provided only when the feeding port restricting portion is urged away from the feeding port by the beak of a feeding bird in one embodiment and by the weight of the bird in another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: 5671696
    Abstract: A tubular plastic bird feeder is made from a unitary blow molded enclosure which includes engageable thread patterns on one end cap and the adjacent end of the tubular body which are separated in molding by an integral annular sleeve. The sleeve is cut away circumferentially at both ends from the as-molded enclosure leaving a separated end cap which may be threaded onto the end of the tubular body. Similar integrally molded thread patterns may be formed on the other end of the unitary enclosure to provide either another removable end cap or the facility to thread another tubular body onto the end of the first tubular body to provide an extended length feeder. One embodiment includes a circular barrier disc supported in the tubular body below the lowermost seed holes to prevent seed, and other particles from accumulating in the inaccessible lower end of the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: 5551657
    Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is particularly adapted for demountable attachment to the glass pane of a window. The bracket assembly utilizes a hook and loop type fastener and a two piece bracket assembly which permits interchangeable use of different main support arms. One type of support arm may, for example, be used to mount a bird feeder. The hook and loop fastening system provides a reliable replacement for suction cup fasteners which do not function in periods of extended cold temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: 5435268
    Abstract: A tubular plastic bird feeder is made from a unitary blow molded enclosure which includes engageable thread patterns on one end cap and the adjacent end of the tubular body which are separated in molding by an integral annular sleeve. The sleeve is cut away circumferentially at both ends from the as-molded enclosure leaving a separated end cap which may be threaded onto the end of the tubular body. Similar integrally molded thread patterns may be formed on the lower end of the unitary enclosure to provide either a removable lower end cap or the facility to thread another tubular body onto the lower end of the first tubular body to provide an extended length feeder. The preferred embodiment also includes a circular barrier disc supported in the tubular body below the lowermost seed holes to prevent seed, and other particles from accumulating in the inaccessible lower end of the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: D290773
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen
  • Patent number: D359821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Frederic J. Liethen