Patents by Inventor John D. Ela

John D. Ela 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: 6957626
    Abstract: A bird feeder having an elongate bird feed container open at opposed ends thereof. The bird feed container defines a longitudinal axis A and has a plurality of feeding ports provided in a sidewall of the bird feed container to facilitate eating by a bird. A removable cover covers the top end of the bird feed container, and the cover has both an open position, in which the cover is spaced from the top end to facilitate supplying bird feed into the bird feed container, and a closed position, in which the cover engages with and covers the top end of the bird feed container. A handle member connected to the bird feed container for hanging the bird feeder. A removable base engages with the bottom end of the bird feed container. The removable base has a closed position, for sealing the open bottom end of the bird feed container, and an open position in which the base is removed from the bird feed container to facilitate cleaning of the bird feed container and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventors: John D. Ela, Michael Martin Dunn
  • Publication number: 20040134435
    Abstract: A dispenser guard for use in a bird feeder including a seed storage and a seed dispenser having a seed reservoir connected from the seed storage for receiving seed from the seed storage and allowing access to the seed. An upper guard plate extends across the seed reservoir and includes a first plurality of upper access openings and a lower guard plate is located between the upper guard plate and the seed reservoir and extends across the seed reservoir and includes a second plurality of lower access openings. The dimensions of the upper access openings and of the lower access openings and the distance between the upper guard plate and the lower guard plate are selected to prevent a squirrel from removing seed from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Martin Dunn, John D. Ela, Donald Edward Bigos
  • Publication number: 20040031443
    Abstract: A bird feeder having an elongate bird feed container open at opposed ends thereof. The bird feed container defines a longitudinal axis A and has a plurality of feeding ports provided in a sidewall of the bird feed container to facilitate eating by a bird. A removable cover covers the top end of the bird feed container, and the cover has both an open position, in which the cover is spaced from the top end to facilitate supplying bird feed into the bird feed container, and a closed position, in which the cover engages with and covers the top end of the bird feed container. A handle member connected to the bird feed container for hanging the bird feeder. A removable base engages with the bottom end of the bird feed container. The removable base has a closed position, for sealing the open bottom end of the bird feed container, and an open position in which the base is removed from the bird feed container to facilitate cleaning of the bird feed container and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: John D. Ela, Michael Martin Dunn