GB2362798A - Bird table - Google Patents

Abstract

The bird table comprises a ground engaging member and a generally vertically extending support 10. The support carries a platform 30 above which there is positioned a foodstuff dispensing means 50 for birds. The support may be telescopic and the table may have a top cover 70. A diffuser cone 21 may urge the foodstuff 51 against a mesh tube.

Description

2362798 1 1 "Bird Table" 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 This invention relates to a bird table, and more particularly, to a bird table of novel construction which facilitates manufacture, storage and assembly of the bird table.

Hitherto, bird tables were formed of wood requiring carpentry skills in the manufacture and assembly. Alternatively, bird tables were formed as assembled units making storage and transport difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bird table in component form which can be easily manufactured, stored, transported and assembled.

According to the present invention there is provided a bird table comprising a ground engaging member, a generally vertically extending support, platform means carried by the support, and foodstuff dispensing means located above the platform.

2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Embodiments of the present invention will now he described, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a bird table made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a bird table made in accordance with the present invention comprises a generally tubular lower support 10, formed of a plastics cylindrical member and adapted to fit within a ground socket 11 permanently fixed in the ground by means of fixing elements 110.

In use, the support 10 is held in the ground socket 11 by means of a fixing wedge 12 fixed to the socket 11 by a wire 112. If necessary, a further wedge 13 may be provided.

The lower support 10 carries an upper support 20, the upper support 20 being an interference fit within a widened portion 110 of the lower support 10.

At the uppermost end of the upper support 20 there is mounted a tray 30 which acts as a platform for birds.

The tray 30 is affixed to the upper support 20 through a generally frustoconical fixing unit 40, 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 which is positioned at the upper end of the upper support 20.

The tray 30 is weld-glued to the fixing unit 40 which is thus held in the position illustrated.

A food distribution unit 50 is mounted on the top of the upper support 20. The food distribution unit 50 comprises a tubular stainless steel mesh tube and serves to retain foodstuffs 51, such as nuts or the like.

The nuts 51 are urged outwards against the inner surface of the mesh by a diffuser cone 21 fitted to the top of the upper support 20.

In use, birds can access the foodstuffs through the apertures in the mesh. The mesh, being formed of stainless steel is resistant to corrosive attack or attack by other animals, such as squirrels.

On top of the food distribution unit 50 there is provided a top cover 60 which carries a general hemispherical cowl 70. The cowl 70 serves to prevent the ingress of rainwater into the food distribution unit 50, diverting any rainwater onto the tray 30.

Thus, there has been provided a novel construction of bird table which is efficient in its use, easily manufactured, stored, transported and assembled.

4 1 3 The design also permits dis-assembly of the unit for periods of non-use.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1 CLAIMS

2 3 1 A bird table comprising a ground engaging member, a generally vertically extending support, platform means carried by the support, and foodstuff 6 dispensing means located above the platform.

7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 8 2 A bird table as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ground engaging member is retained in a ground socket by means of fixing wedges.

3 A bird table as claimed in either preceding claim wherein the vertically extending support is tubular and is formed of two portions which telescopically fit one within the other.

4 A bird table as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the telescopic fit is an interference fit.

A bird table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform is in the form of a circular table having a central aperture through which the support can pass, the.tray being fixed to the support by a fixing unit.

6 A bird table as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the fixing unit is frustoconical.

7 A bird table as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the foodstuff dispensing means is in the form of a food distribution unit comprising a mesh tube through which foodstuffs may be accessed.

6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 8 A bird table as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the foodstuff is urged against the mesh tube by means of a diffuser cone.

9 A bird table as claimed in any preceding claim, and including a top cover arrangement to prevent ingress of ra-Lnwater into the foodstuff dispensing means.

A bird table as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.